Miscellaneous Information

Various Identification Codes ...

GNIS Codes ...

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) was created to address the problems caused by spelling and naming variations. The BGN will usually recognize an existing name or, when necessary, establish a new name for a geographic feature (such as a mountain, lake, river, stream, city, town, village, dam, bridge, etc).

The BGN names are kept in a database called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and it is the official Federal repository. The GNIS is operated and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A unique and permanent code has been assigned for each name in the GNIS database. These names and identifiers are definitive and it is intended that they are to be used by all departments of the Federal Government:

GNIS ID for Alena: 358549

GNIS ID for Hawaii: 1779782

GPS Location - GNIS Coordinates ...

An important aspect of the GNIS code is that it assigns a GPS location (the latitude/longitude) to the geographic feature. This location is simply a point on the map and does not represent the size or shape of the feature. In the case of Alena, it is a point within Alena that might be a post office, the city hall or simply an intersection - the point should really be considered arbitrary and only indicating a general location.

For Alena, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   20° 37' 26"   (or 20.62°)

Lon:   -156° 17' 40"   (or -156.29°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Alena is located in Region #4 (the West Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Alena is located in Division #9 (the Pacific Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Alena is located in Region IX (Region 9).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Alena is located in Region IX (Region 9).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #358549   (Name of Record: Alena)

Class: civil

A political division formed for administrative purposes (such as a borough, county, incorporated place, parish, town or township).

A 'civil' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'populated place' record. The information contained in the 'civil' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'populated place' classes.

County: Maui

Map Name: Lualailua Hills

Lat: 20.6238889       Lon: -156.2947222  

Elev: 641 ft.