Hawaiian Islands Lidar Point Cloud Tiles 2022-2023

2022-2023 NOAA-USGS lidar collection covers approximately 1,428 square miles across Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Data is delivered as processed LAZ 1.4 files formatted to 16,760 individual 500-meter tiles, collected at an aggregate nominal pulse spacing of 0.35 meters and 8 points per square meter. The project was conducted by Woolpert and the USGS, with specifications based on the National Geospatial Program Lidar Base Specification Version 2.1.

Use Cases

• Generate high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) from the 0.35-meter ANPS lidar point cloud for terrain analysis.
• Analyze coastal elevation changes using the NAVD88 (GEOID12B) vertical reference system data for Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
• Classify land cover features by processing the 8 points per square meter density data within the 500-meter x 500-meter tile structure.
• Assess data coverage gaps by examining identified low confidence polygons within the 1,428 square mile work unit.

Strengths

• High spatial resolution with an aggregate nominal pulse spacing (ANPS) of 0.35 meters and point density of 8 points per square meter.
• Extensive coverage of 1,428 square miles across five major Hawaiian Islands.
• Structured data delivery in 16,760 individual, consistently sized 500-meter x 500-meter LAZ 1.4 format tiles.
• Compliant with established geospatial standards, including the National Geospatial Program Lidar Base Specification Version 2.1.

Limitations

• Contains identified areas of low point density and small data voids marked with low confidence polygons.
• Acquisition was challenging due to extreme terrain and persistent low clouds, potentially affecting data completeness in some areas.
• The dataset is a point cloud in LAZ format, requiring specialized GIS or lidar processing tools for analysis, not a simple tabular structure.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Collection Method

Airborne lidar acquisition and processing conducted by Woolpert, following QL1 specifications.

Time Range

2022-2023 (with mobilizations from 2020-2023).

Freshness

Data collected between 2020 and 2023, with metadata last updated in March 2026.

Geography

State of Hawaii, covering Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu islands.