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, chose a 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 Kaalaea: 359583

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 Kaalaea, it is a point within Kaalaea 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 Kaalaea, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   21° 28' 0"   (or 21.47°)

Lon:   -157° 51' 45"   (or -157.86°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

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

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

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

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #359583   (Name of Record: Ka‘alaea)

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: Honolulu

Map Name: Kaneohe

Lat: 21.4669444       Lon: -157.8625  

Elev: 109 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 15/19700   (Place Name: Kaalaea)

County: Honolulu     (FIPS State/County: 15/003)

Class: U8

Identifies a populated place (in this case, Kaalaea) located wholly or substantially outside the boundaries of an incorporated place or CDP (Census Designated Place) but whose name has not been verified as authoritative by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

MSA Code: 3320