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Best time for photos in Hawaiʻi: sunrise, sunset and seasons

Sunset in Hawaiʻi moves by about an hour and a half across the year, and Hawaiʻi does not change its clocks. Here are the earliest and latest times for each island, from the U.S. Naval Observatory's tables for 2027.

Island	Sunrise, earliest to latest	Sunset, earliest to latest
Big Island Hilo	5:41 a.m. to 6:58 a.m.	5:40 p.m. to 7:03 p.m.
Maui Kahului	5:44 a.m. to 7:05 a.m.	5:43 p.m. to 7:11 p.m.
Oahu Honolulu	5:49 a.m. to 7:11 a.m.	5:48 p.m. to 7:18 p.m.
Kauai Lihue	5:53 a.m. to 7:19 a.m.	5:53 p.m. to 7:25 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Standard Time. Earliest sunrise is in late May to mid June and latest in January. Earliest sunset is in late November and latest in early July. Source: U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department.

How long are the days?

The National Weather Service says Hawaiʻi's longest and shortest days are about 13 and a half hours and 11 hours.

When does it rain?

The National Weather Service describes two seasons for most of Hawaiʻi: summer between May and October and winter between October and April, with the heaviest rains from winter storms. Where the trade winds rise over windward coasts and slopes, cloud and rain are much greater; leeward areas tend to be sunny and dry. The Western Regional Climate Center notes one exception: on the Kona coast of the Big Island, summer is not the drier season.

Surf and beach sessions

Winter storms send frequent large surf to the north and west sides of most islands, starting by November and still possible in March. Summer is the season for south shore surf. A beach that is calm in July can be unsafe for a session in January.

Common questions

What is the best time of day for photos in Hawaii?

Most portrait sessions are scheduled for the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset, when the sun is low. Sunset in Hawaii falls between about 5:40 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. depending on the island and the month.

When is the rainy season in Hawaii?

The National Weather Service describes winter as October to April and says Hawaii's heaviest rains come from winter storms in those months. Windward sides are wetter all year.

Does Hawaii have daylight saving time?

No. Hawaii stays on Hawaii Standard Time all year.

Island pages: Big Island · Maui · Oahu · Kauai