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.
Showers are ending Saturday, with trade winds picking up through the weekend. A high surf advisory covers north and northwest-facing shores until 6 PM today. A medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday and could bring surf back to advisory levels early Sunday morning. Rough seas and choppy conditions will persist through Sunday, so hold off on water sports and exposed beaches. Saturday afternoon onward is best for outdoor activities once showers clear and the swell eases.
0:000:58
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Showers are heavy this morning on Maui's windward side and mountains—some spots picked up 2 to 5 inches overnight. Expect rain to continue through Saturday morning, then gradually clear out.
Trade winds are strengthening through the weekend with rough seas in all channels. A High Surf Advisory is in effect until 6 PM today on north and west-facing shores—conditions are dangerous right now. Surf should ease below warning levels by evening, but a medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday and could push surf back to advisory levels early Sunday. A tropical disturbance tracking far south of the islands will keep trade winds elevated through early next week but won't bring rain to Maui.
Wait until Saturday afternoon to plan your beach time and water activities—that's when showers end and conditions start to settle.
0:000:57
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Heavy showers are hitting the Big Island's windward slopes this morning, with some areas getting 2 to 5 inches overnight. Rain continues through Saturday morning, especially on mountains and windward exposures, then gradually clears. A few isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon on the windward side if clouds break midday.
North and northwest-facing shores have dangerous high surf today under advisory until 6 PM—it eases by evening but a medium swell arrives late Saturday into Sunday, potentially bringing advisory-level conditions again early Sunday. Trade winds stay gusty through the weekend with rough seas and choppy conditions in the channels. Better conditions arrive Saturday afternoon and hold through Wednesday.
Plan water activities for Saturday afternoon onward once the rain clears and surf settles. Avoid water sports and exposed beaches through Sunday.
0:000:46
Voice
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Showers are moving through this morning, with heavier rain on windward Big Island and Maui through Saturday morning. Trade winds are strong across the islands through the weekend, and a high surf advisory is in effect until 6 PM today on north and northwest facing shores—dangerous conditions if you're planning to get in the water. By Saturday afternoon, showers taper off and conditions settle into typical dry trade wind weather, though a medium swell could bring surf back to advisory levels early Sunday morning. Beach time is best Saturday afternoon onward; avoid water sports and exposed shores through Sunday due to high surf and rough seas.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
