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
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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.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
