Today's times, monthly calendar, daylight hours, and golden hour windows for every island.
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Daylight
Daylight Hours by Month
Hawaii's latitude (19–22°N) means daylight varies by less than three hours between summer and winter solstice — less swing than mainland destinations.
Daily Times
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Date
Sunrise
Sunset
Daylight
Times are calculated for sea level. Summit locations such as Haleakala and Mauna Kea can see sunrise slightly earlier because of elevation.
Golden Hour & Photography
Morning Golden Hour
Starts at sunrise and lasts roughly 30 minutes. The light is warm, soft, and directional. Head to east-facing beaches and overlooks. Haleakala summit, Makapu'u Lighthouse trail, and Waimea Canyon lookout are all spectacular at this time.
Evening Golden Hour
Begins about 30 minutes before sunset. West-facing beaches light up: Waikiki, Ka'anapali, Po'ipu, and Kona Coast. This is the classic "Hawaiian sunset" window. Stay 10 minutes past sunset for the best color in the sky.
Most sunset cruise operators time departures 1.5-2 hours before sunset. Check today's sunset time above and book accordingly. The best light starts 30 minutes before the sun dips below the horizon.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
Astronomical twilight ends well over an hour after sunset, with exact timing varying by date. For the clearest skies on the Big Island's Mauna Kea, plan to be at the summit visitor station by sunset and stay through dark.
Why Hawaii Sunsets Look Different
Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific with no light pollution on the horizon. The sun drops straight down (near the equator, it doesn't set at an angle) giving you a faster but more vivid sunset. The "green flash" is real and happens right as the sun disappears.
Oʻahu starts calm and mild with just a few afternoon showers inland. Everything changes Wednesday night when tropical moisture pushes in from the south—an unusual pattern for us. Heavy rain becomes likely through at least Thursday morning, especially on the leeward side where rain doesn't normally fall this heavy. Thunderstorms are possible too. Thursday stays damp and showery as the system lingers, then improves Friday as it weakens, though scattered showers continue. Moderate swell on the south and west shores through the week, with moderate swell also on the north shore from a distant system. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Beach days and hikes work better Thursday afternoon on.
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Maui starts calm with mild conditions through Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, deep tropical moisture moves in from the south—a rare pattern for Hawaii—and heavy rain becomes likely, especially on leeward areas. This wet spell continues through Thursday morning, with Thursday staying damp and showery before improving Friday. Southern and western shores will see moderate swell through the week.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Hiking and beach time work better Thursday afternoon onward.
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Right now it's calm and mild with just a few showers in the interior. Tonight southerly winds move in and heavy rain becomes likely, particularly on the western islands and leeward areas where rain doesn't normally fall. That wet pattern continues through Thursday morning, with thunderstorms possible around Kauai and Oahu. The Big Island will see showers and moisture linger through Thursday. Friday starts to improve as the system weakens, though south winds and scattered showers persist. Trade winds should return by Monday. Moderate swell affects southern and western shores through the week, with possible additional swell on west-facing beaches late week. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday night through Thursday, and save your hiking and beach time for Thursday afternoon onward.
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Kauaʻi starts calm with a few showers in the interior, and wind shifts to the south Wednesday—unusual for here. Heavy rain moves in Wednesday night and continues through Thursday morning, especially on the west side and leeward areas that normally stay dry. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Visibility drops during the heaviest rain.
Friday clears gradually as the system weakens, though scattered showers and southerly wind linger. Weekend conditions improve toward normal, and trade winds return by Monday. Southern and western shores see moderate swell through the week; north shores stay moderate from a system to the northwest.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Daytime Wednesday is fine for outdoor plans. Beach and hiking days look better Thursday afternoon onward.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
