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 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 numeric identifier 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 Kainalu: 359920

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

Lat:   21° 6' 33"   (or 21.11°)

Lon:   -156° 47' 21"   (or -156.79°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

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

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

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

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #359920   (Name of Record: Kainalu)

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: Halawa

Lat: 21.1091667       Lon: -156.7891667  

Elev: 538 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 15/24200   (Place Name: Kainalu)

County: Maui     (FIPS State/County: 15/009)

Class: U8

Identifies a populated place (in this case, Kainalu) 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).