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The office of Hawaiian Government Survey was established under the Interior Department in 1870, when the Minister of the Interior, F. W. Hutchison (who had the care of public lands and by law had the authority to have them surveyed), asked the Legislature for $5,000 for "Government Surveying." Its organization was prompted by the increased public demand for additional grants of government land in the late 1860s and the government's corresponding ignorance of the amount or location of government land still available for lease or sale. It was also surmised that a survey and its resultant maps, besides determining the extent of remnant government lands, would prove useful to private individuals and other government agencies, especially tax assessors, boundary commissioners, and the courts, since no district maps existed and island maps were still based on the charts of Cook and Vancouver. Consequently, an office of Survey was created and its primary object was "to account for all the land in the Kingdom by its original title, and indicate such accounting on general maps, and while having no authority to settle boundaries, to require the surveyors to lay down such boundaries on maps to the best of their ability with the abundant information at their disposal." (C. J. Lyons, History, p.6)

Previous surveys in the Kingdom were predominately those initiated by the Land Commission (kuleanas) and the Interior Department (government grants). They were magnetic surveys each made individually with no boundary corners marked and no attempt to fit the many separate surveys into a larger context (i.e., a map of a district or an island). These surveys, because of inconsistencies in methods (non-permanent datum points), instruments and personnel, were often inaccurate and subsequently added greatly to the burden of the new Government Survey.

The new survey team planned to carry out a geodetic survey based on the U.S. Coast Survey methods. They would establish a primary triangulation station and base lines adding subsequent stations until all of a district, an island and ultimately the whole group would be set up under one system. They succeeded in first triangulating Maui and adding Kahoolawe, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Hawaii. While setting up the stations, they would sketch a map of the area putting in prominent topographical features (to facilitate relocating the stations) and record all of the surveyed kuleanas and Grants on a map of the district. These district maps would later be compiled into island maps. It was to be a survey of "landed property" rather than a purely scientific or a topographic survey.

During the year 1870, the Minister of the Interior appointed W. D. Alexander, Surveyor-General, and C. J. Lyons, assistant surveyor. Alexander (former president of Oahu College) was responsible for developing the methods, format, and procedures of the office of Government Survey. In 1871, work began and two men just out of Oahu College, J. F. Brown and J. M. Lydgate, were added to the staff. Those first two years were spent in procuring instruments and setting up the initial triangulation stations in central Maui and making a detailed survey of the district of Makawao "to exhibit to the coming Legislature the scope of the work, as well as to gain experience and establish precedents in what was then an untried undertaking." (C. J. Lyons, History, p.10) In its early years the Survey Office devoted time and energy to convincing the Legislature that their work was essential to straighten out complex land titles and that their appropriations should be increased to enable them to send additional personnel into the field. From 1871 to 1877 the Survey staff consisted of W. D. Alexander and C. J. Lyons, with occasional helpers. Finally in 1878, additional funding helped the Survey Office to expand their force. Field work often took more time and money than the Survey Office predicted or than the Legislature could fund because of the nature of the work, the necessity for accuracy, the weather, physical obstacles, the volume of kuleanas and grants to be located and resurveyed, and difficulty keeping field helpers.

During the 1870s and 1880s work concentrated on establishing triangulation stations, delineating government lands, drawing maps, and resurveying kuleanas on Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu. During 1877 and 1878, Lanai was surveyed by J.F. Brown and M.D. Monsarrat. Molokai was surveyed by M.D. Monsarrat at intervals from 1885 until 1895. By the year 1890 the area of the whole group (with the exception of Kauai whose lack of then recognized government land delayed its detailed surveying) had been covered and elaborated on paper. The passage of the Homestead Act of 1884 (implemented in 1887) had initiated a change in the emphasis of the Survey Office. Between 1890 and 1900 the work of the office was "very largely surveys of homestead tracts, and other public land sub-divisions, re-surveys of tracts that needed much more minute work than was at first possible, and the carrying out of very important department work, viz., the city survey of Honolulu." (C.J. Lyons, History, p.16)

The Survey Office, prompted by Prof. Alexander (himself an avid scientist), participated in scientific study-"during the survey collections have been made and facts observed, which it is believed, will add to our knowledge of the geology and botany of these islands." (W.D. Alexander, History, p.19) In 1882, the Office took charge of government time for the town of Honolulu. Meteorological service gradually grew into existence as part of the Survey Office with C.J. Lyons in charge of its operations. By 1883, they were systematically recording temperature, barometric pressure, rainfall, wind, and weather data. The Legislature eventually recognized the costs of the Meteorologist to the Survey Office and appropriated funds for office expenses in 1895 and funds for a salary in 1898.

Annexation and the 1900 Organic Act authorized a surveyor appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate to hold office for four years. He "shall have the powers and duties heretofore attached to the surveyor-general, except such as relate to the geodetic survey of the Hawaiian Islands." (Organic Act, section 78)

From 1900 to 1915 the office continued to conduct the more detailed surveys as well as providing much needed surveys and maps of lands in the Territory for other government agencies.

Below is a list of some of the early surveyors in the Hawaiian Government Survey. The approximate years they worked for the Survey Office are included. Unfortunately these dates are not completely accurate as the surveyors voluntarily (to work for more lucrative companies, to travel, etc.) and involuntarily (shortages of funding for surveys necessitating the withdrawal of field groups) suspended their employment for varied lengths of time and these terminations and reinstatements are not well documented. Some surveyors also contracted themselves to the Survey Office for specific jobs, so were not official employees of the Survey Office. During the course of their careers, most surveyors worked on all of the major islands (excepting Kauai).

Alexander, W.D. (1871-1901): Appointed first Surveyor-General by the Minister of the Interior in 1871 and retained that position until he resigned in February 1901 to take charge of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey's new Honolulu branch office.

Baldwin, E.D. (1882-1908?): One of his first surveys was Manoa Valley, Oahu. Spent time surveying on Maui in the districts of Kipahulu and Kaupo. Later he took charge of the Hilo Town Survey and office.

Bishop, S.E. (1880-1888): Surveyed in Waikiki, Oahu, Lahaina, and West Maui.

Brown, J.F. (1872, 1878-1886): Surveyed Lanai with M.D. Monsarrat from 1877-78. Left the Survey in 1886 to take charge of Public Lands, a branch of the Survey Office until 1895 when a Commission of Public Lands was created. He remained with Public Lands until 1901.

Cabot, L. (1878-1879): Railroad surveys in Hilo and Kohala.

Dodge, F.S. (1877-1898): Primarily city surveys. Resigned in October 1898 to take charge of Bishop Estate Lands.

Emerson, J.S. (1878-1903): From 1880-1881 he executed a detailed survey of Waipio Valley, Hawaii. He spent a great deal of his career surveying on Hawaii, although he did work on Oahu. In 1904, he is mentioned as a Court surveyor.

Jackson, Capt. G.E.G. (1881-1884): Employed to survey the different harbors in the islands.

Kanakanui, S.M. (1890 - ): Field worker, primarily on Maui and Hawaii. Still employed by the Survey Office in 1915.

Kittredge, C.S. (1878): Compiled a map of Kauai.

Lydgate, J.M. (1872, 1878-1891): Field worker, primarily on Hawaii

Lyons, C.J. (1871-1896): From 1879 until 1896 he was in charge of the Survey Office with increasing interest in meteorological work in his later years.

Monsarrat, M.D. (1877-1911?): Surveyed Lanai with J.F. Brown from 1877-1878. At intervals from 1885-1895 he had a private contract with the government to survey Molokai.

Sorenson, O.L. (1898- ): Came from the Public Lands Office to the Survey Office in 1898 and became assistant in charge. Still employed by the Survey Office in 1915.

Wall, W.E. (1884? - ): Succeeded W.D. Alexander as Surveyor-General in 1901. Still Surveyor in 1915.

The successor to the Department of Finance of Hawaii, 1893-1900.

On March 27, 1907, Governor G. R. Carter signed Joint Resolution No. 1 creating a Commission of three persons to study the tax structure of the Territory and make recommendations for the revision and improvement of existing laws. Members appointed were: Chief Justice Frear, Justice Wilder, and A. F. Judd as Secretary. Business and agricultural interests both in Hawaii and on the mainland were circularized for opinions and suggestions. On April 9, 1908 the Commission held a public meeting to further extend its contacts. The final report was made to the Governor on June 30, 1908.

Successor to the Tax Bureau, Treasury Department of the Territory of Hawai‘i.

The Teachers' Retirement Fund was established in 1915 (Act 114, SLH) for teachers of the public schools of the Territory of Hawaii, and to regulate the collection, management and disbursement of the fund.

In 1925, when the Employees' Retirement System was established (Act 55, SLH), the Teachers' Retirement Fund was incorporated into the system.

Department of Interior: Bureau of Public Works: 1845 - June 1900

Laws enacted in 1845 and 1846 established the Department of Interior to manage the Kingdom of Hawaii's internal affairs.

One of the responsibilities of the Department of Interior, which was headed by the Minister of Interior, was the management and supervision of internal improvements undertaken by the Hawaiian government.

The Minister of Interior had the authority, with the approval of the King in Privy Council, to appoint a Superintendent of Public Works to assist him in directing the Kingdom's internal improvements.

From 1855-1857, the Bureau of Public Improvement was a part of the Department of War. It then, once again, became a part of the Department of Interior.

In the pre-Territorial period, the Superintendent of Public Works, as the executive in charge of the Bureau of Public Works, was responsible for government buildings, prisons, pounds, harbors, piers, wharves, lighthouses, beacons, sewage systems, electric lights, and certain roads and bridges.

The Superintendent of Public Works was also responsible for constructing public laundries and wash houses, acquiring and preserving heiaus and puuhonuas or the sites and remains, and producing surveys, maps, and plans of government lands, harbors, and internal improvements, as needed by the public.

The varied duties of the Superintendent of Public Works were not all assigned at the same time.

The last two Superintendents of Public Works were Julius H. Smith, serving from 1884 to August 1887, and William E. Rowell, who served from August 1887 to June 1900.

Territorial Department of Public Works: 1900-1913

The Organic Act for the Territory of Hawaii, which became effective in June 1900, abolished the office of the Minister of Interior (Section 8) and empowered the Governor of Hawaii, with the consent of the Territorial Senate, to appoint a Superintendent of Public Works for the Territory of Hawaii (Section 80).

John A. McCandless was appointed as the first Territorial Superintendent of Public Works on June 14, 1900, succeeding William E. Rowell, who had served from August 1, 1887. Upon McCandless' appointment, Rowell became Assistant Superintendent of Public Works.

McCandless served as Superintendent of Public Works from June 14, 1900 - May 4, 1901 and was followed by: James H. Boyd (May 4, 1901 - December 2, 1902); Henry E. Cooper (December 6, 1902 - November 18, 1903); C.S. Holloway (November 25, 1903 - November 1, 1907); Marston Campbell (November 1, 1907 - November 1, 1912); Herbert K. Bishop (November 1, 1912 - May 2, 1913) and J.W. Caldwell (May 2, 1913 - August 15, 1914).

Motivated by the necessity for emergency planning to alleviate the effects of the depression, the National Resources Committee (called National Resources Planning Board after 1939) and forty-six state planning boards were established in the early 1930s. In Hawaiʻi, the Nineteenth Legislature in 1937 enacted Act 207 which authorized the establishment of the Territorial Planning Board. However, ventures into the sphere of civic planning had been made since the turn of the century: in 1906 the Civic Federation Committee on Streets, Parks and Public Works was established, in 1911 the Outdoor Circle was organized, and in 1915 the Honolulu Planning Commission was established.

Act 207 authorized the Governor to appoint nine members to the Territorial Planning Board. The superintendent of Public Works, president of the Board of Agriculture and Forestry, and the federal Public Works Administrator or representative of public works were designated as ex-officio members, Of the other six members who were appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, at least one had to be an architect and one an engineer. In 1939 the Legislature passed an amendment changing the membership of the Board, but the measure died by pocket veto.

The duties of the Territorial Planning Board were the preparation of a territorial master plan; advisement of territorial and local officials in coordinating territorial development; regulation, coordination and correlation of public works employment; collection and publication of information relating to proper territorial development; and responsibility for conferring and co-operating with federal and military officials in scheduling public works projects. The Board was responsible for the preparation of maps and planning studies and surveys to gather information on matters pertaining to the physical development of the Territory. Because it was charged with the approval of plans relating to public improvement, government agencies were required to submit written notices of contemplated construction to the Territorial Planning Board. The Board was further authorized to accept and use funds provided by the United States government, and was required to submit a report of its plans and recommendations biennially to the Governor and Legislature.

On January 10, 1939 Governor Poindexter appointed Charles D. Rosecrans, chairman, A. L. Burdick, Robert M. Belt, Ray Morris (architect), and Chester K. Wentworth (engineer) to the Territorial Planning Board. The ex-officio members were Louis S. Cain, superintendent of Public Works and Frank H. Locey, president of the Board of Agriculture and Forestry. The Board held its organizational meeting on February 10, 1938. Subsequently, monthly meetings were held which included public hearings and meetings on the outer islands.

The Territorial Planning Board, in practice, functioned as an administrative unit. On March 28, 1938 the Board appointed Joseph F. Kunesh as director to implement the provisions of Act 207. He headed a staff of five until his resignation in January, 1941, and was succeeded by Karl A. Sinclair.

The Territorial Planning Board received assistance from the National Resources Planning Board which provided general advisory and liaison services for state planning boards. In addition to the services of the National Resources Planning Board, the Territorial Planning Board had two advisory committees: Pursuant to a letter from Harold Ickes, chairman of the National Resources Committee, the Land Planning Committee, similar to those previously established on the mainland, was appointed by the Board. The Human Resources Committee was an outgrowth of a meeting called by Frank Midkiff to consider the problem of unemployment in Honolulu.

Following a technique of planned activity adopted from the National Resources Planning Board and existing state planning boards, the Territorial Planning Board initially concentrated on research before attempting to ascertain needed facilities. Accordingly, the first report of the Board to the Governor and Legislature was An Historic Inventory of the Physical, Social, and Economic Industrial Resources of the Territory of Hawaiʻi (Publication No. 1), which was an accumulation of data essential to planning. This was followed by its supplement, Existing Urban Resources and Facilities of the Territory of Hawaiʻi (Publication No. 2) .

In addition to the preceding publications, the Board published nine other reports. Surface Water Resources of the Territory of Hawaii, 1901-1938 (Publication No. 4) also focuses on research. One of the incentives for its publication was the prevention of costly duplication of effort in research and planning that required knowledge of the availability of water. Also pertinent to the subject of water is the "Report of a Subcommittee of the Land Planning Committee on the Molokaʻi Irrigation Project" (Publication No. 3) which evaluates a report made to the Commissioner of Reclamation, Department of Interior.

At the first meeting of the executive committee of the Human Resources Committee, a decision was reached that the efforts of the committee should be focused on the unemployment problem. Collaborating with the Education Committee of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, an unemployment survey was conducted by John R. Sedgwick. The results are published in Unemployment Survey Honolulu Rural Oʻahu, December, 1939 (Publication No. 5).

In the later publications the Board begins to implement Section 2 of Act 207. The following reports were mandated by the Twentieth Legislature: Lands for Our Public Schools, An Integral Part of the Territorial Master Plan (Publication No. 6) by Joint Resolution 4; Master Plan of the Town of Kapaʻa (Publication No. 8) by Senate Joint Resolution 11 which was included in Act 244 (General Appropriations Act); Master Plan of the City of Hilo (Publication No. 9) by Senate Joint Resolution 12, included in Act 244; and Report of the Executive Legislative Quarters, Civic Center, City of Honolulu, Hawaii (Publication No. 10) by Senate Concurrent Resolution 8. For the Master Flan of the Town of Hanapepe (Publication No. 7) the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kauaʻi solicited the assistance of the Territorial Planning Board when differences in viewpoint arose between the County and private interests during the development of a master plan for the town.

The last publication of the Board was Conservation Development of National Resources: Program for Hawaiʻi (Publication No. 11), which in­cluded a proposed zoning enabling act. It served the multiple purposes of being the first statement of planning objectives by the Board, the second progress report to the Legislature, and answering a request from the National Resources Planning Board for participation in the national "Program for the Conservation and Development of the Resources of the United States.

Under Act 244, $6,000 had been appropriated for a Park, Parkway, and Recreational Area Study, which was made in cooperation with the National; Park Service to implement Public Law 7701/2 [sic] (74th Congress). The study was nearly completed but was not published.

Other special studies and activities included joint sponsorship of a civic center planning contest with the Honolulu Planning Commission, and a development of the Kaimuki Library-Civic Center and the Keehi Lagoon seaport. During the compilation of the 1940 Census, the Board assisted the Census Bureau by supplying maps of centers of population that were prepared for the report on urban facilities.

During the regular session of the Twenty-first Legislature, by request of the Territorial Planning Board, a bill was introduced to appropriate funds for the acquisition of land sites for public buildings, thereby implementing the recommendations in Publication 10. The measure, however, died in committee.

The Twenty-first Legislature by Joint Resolution 22 mandated the preparation of a master plan for the construction of public school buildings. However, funds for the operation of the Board were deleted from the General Appropriations Act in the Senate, thereby leaving the Board without operating funds for the 1941-1943 biennium. On the advice of Governor Poindexter, the members of the Board continued to hold their commissions, and correspondence was continued on a limited basis by Chester K. Wentworth, acting chairman. When the Twenty-second Legislature (1943) failed to appropriate funds, with the consent of Governor Stainback and the superintendent of Public Works, the records and files of the Board were transferred to the newly created Legislative Reference Bureau at the University of Hawaiʻi.

In 1954 the Territorial Planning Board was reactivated by Governor Samuel W. King. Unlike the previous Board, the emphasis of the new Board was on rural land utilization. However, in 1955 the Legislature failed to appropriate funds for the operation of the Board, and its activities lapsed. The same legislature enacted Act 264 which established the Economic Planning and Coordination Authority. It authorized the transference of all funds and equipment, including records, of the Territorial Planning Board to the newly created Authority.

The records include the minutes, reports, and correspondence of the Territorial Planning Board and its advisory committees. The correspondence consists primarily of material accumulated in the process of compiling data for the published reports. In addition, there are materials compiled for the reports which were not published.

In addition to the records of the Territorial Planning Board, the files include the correspondence of Joseph F. Kunesh, director, as a member of various committees in the community. These are generally filed by subjects. Also included in the files is the Industrial and Commercial Survey conducted by the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce in 1935-1936.