Land Court & File Plan Mapping Guide

Information for Land Court and File Plan Mapping

Maps are available from the Map Search page.

HELPFUL GUIDE FOR LAND COURT MAPPING

(For reference see Rules of the Land Court at https://www.courts.state.hi.us/docs/court_rules/rules/rlc.pdf)

TITLE SECTION

  • Do not use any abbreviations in the title section of the map.
  • Leave at least 2/10 inch space between written lines in the title of the map to annotate changes.
  • Leave at least 2-1/2 inches of blank space at bottom of title section for certifications.  Map should be drawn with ample blank space for required certifications.

NORTH ARROW

  • The north arrow should be placed at the upper right corner of the map section and always pointing upward.

BORDER

  • There should be a half inch space between the border and trim lines.  Size of map is measured from the trim lines.
  • Tax map key and map size are annotated below the bottom border line.  “Tax Map Key” should be written out and not abbreviated.

NOTES

  • Area of easements and legends should be placed under the heading “NOTES:” and located at the bottom left corner of map.

LAND TITLES

  • Land titles of adjoining lands should be the same as that shown on Map 1 of the application.  For example, Royal Patent number should not be shown with the Land Commission Award unless shown on Map 1.

DESIGNATION OF ACCESS RIGHTS

  • Access restriction symbols should be shown on boundary lines only and not on setback or easement lines.

DESIGNATION OF NEW EASEMENTS

  • Show the azimuths and distances of the entire existing lot affected by the new easement.  It is not necessary to annotate the area of the existing lot.
  • An existing lot affected by a new easement should be shown in the title portion of the map.  A new lot affected by a new easement should be shown in the “NOTES” portion of the map.

MATHEMATICAL CLOSURE

  • The mathematical closure of all newly created lots should be within one hundredths of a foot unless the original closure of the lot being subdivided is not within one hundredths.  Mathematical closure of easements should be within two hundredths of a foot.
  • The total area of all of the newly created lots should equal to the area of the original lot.

SIMPLE CURVE COMPUTATION

  • Radial azimuths and chord azimuths should mathematically compute as simple curves.
  • For clockwise curves, radial azimuth plus 90 degrees plus delta/2 should equal to the chord azimuth, where delta equals the angle between the radial azimuths.
  • For counterclockwise curve, radial azimuth minus 90 degrees minus delta/2 should equal to the chord azimuth, where delta equals the angle between the radial azimuths.

SUBDIVISION APPROVAL MAP

  • All maps submitted to the Land Court must comply with the respective county subdivision ordinance.  A copy of the subdivision approval map must be submitted with the land court application.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • No Access Permitted and No Vehicle Access Permitted should be noted separately in the title.
  • Although required for county subdivision approval, setback lines are not required to be shown on land court maps.
  • Designation of easement should involve only one lot unless multiple lots owned by same owner.
  • Maps should be individually signed using India ink.  Rapidograph or Micron, archival or pigment ink is acceptable.  Do not use felt pens as they will bleed and disappear with time.  Computer generated signatures are not acceptable.
  • New easement areas should be placed in the “NOTES” section of the map.
  • Sole application for cancellation of easement can be done by petition only.  No map is necessary.
  • If easement is described by centerline, area should be calculated by centerline.
  • When canceling portion of an easement or access restriction, a sketch with metes and bounds should be provided.
  • When subdividing a lot, the overall record azimuth and distance of the original lot should be shown.
  • There should be no inset within an inset.  Use a combination of enlargements and insets instead.  A north arrow and scale should always be shown within each inset and enlargement.
  • For subdivision of a combined land court and regular system land, a county approved composite map should be submitted along with the land court map.
  • Double matted mylar having a minimum thickness of 3 mil is the acceptable mylar for land court mapping.
  • Azimuth directional arrow should always be placed to the right of the azimuth and not at the top or bottom.  Directional arrows are not shown when using leader lines.
  • Do not use “more or less” for areas.
  • Do not show easement “in favor of”, even though it is shown on the county approved subdivision map.
  • Select properly sized clearly legible fonts.  Do not use exotic fonts.
  • Show street name only if roadway has been dedicated to the county.
  • Use existing land court maps as examples.
  • Cancellation or deletion of a portion of an easement is shown only on the map on which the easement was designated.

HELPFUL GUIDE FOR FILE PLAN MAPPING

  • Basic mapping should follow land court mapping guidelines.
  • Location of the planned subdivision should be clearly defined.
  • Point of beginning coordinates are shown referenced to a Government Survey Triangulation Station and each overall exterior course are numbered to the corresponding course in the description.
  • Original land titles are shown on the map.
  • Overall area of the planned subdivision should equal to the total area of all of the lots.
  • Leave at least 7 inches of blank space below the title for certifications by the State Land Surveyor and the Bureau of Conveyances.
  • Adjoining lot owner’s name must be shown on the map.
  • Use existing file plan maps as examples.

LAND COURT DEREGISTRATION