A group of people in outdoor wear crowded around the park's entrance sign
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Honouliuli National Historic Site Photography Guide

National Historic Site · Hawaii

  • Bortle 8
  • 0 photo spots
  • Clearest: September
Photo: NPS Photo/Brandon Akiona · Public domain (NPS)

Honouliuli National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in Hawaii. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and nearby photo locations.

In 2026, Honouliuli National Historic Site is commemorating the 80th year since Honouliuli Internment Camp closed with community events that will take place throughout the year. Stay tuned on our website or social media to learn more and get involved.Description: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov
Photo spots
0
matched locations
Sky darkness
Bortle 8
City sky
Clearest month
September
42% cloud
Milky Way peak
June
Feb–Oct
Nearest town
Makakilo-Makaīwa Hills-Kunia
2.9 km (1.8 mi)

Light at Honouliuli

Live
Sunrise
6:31 AM
Sunset
6:05 PM
Golden hour AM
6:17 AM – 7:01 AM
Golden hour PM
5:35 PM – 6:19 PM
Blue hour AM
6:08 AM – 6:17 AM
Blue hour PM
6:19 PM – 6:27 PM
Full darkness
7:19 PM – 5:16 AM
Moon
Waxing Gibbous · 72%
Moonrise / set
2:41 PM / 1:32 AM
Day length
11h 34m
Sunrise azimuth
101°
Sunset azimuth
259°
000306091215182124
NightTwilightBlue hourGolden hourDaylight

Times in Pacific/Honolulu. Golden hour = sun −4° to +6°; blue hour = −6° to −4°.

Clouds at sunrise & sunset

NWS

Hourly sky cover from the National Weather Service. 20–60% cloud often gives the most colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Sunrise, sunset & golden hour

At Honouliuli the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 64° (ENE) at the June solstice and 115° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 296° (WNW) in June to 245° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 88° in summer but only 45° in winter.

NESW60°30°
June solsticeEquinoxesDecember solstice
Month (15th)SunriseGolden hour endsGolden hour startsSunsetSunset az.Daylight
January7:13 AM7:45 AM5:39 PM6:11 PM248°10h 58m
February7:04 AM7:34 AM6:01 PM6:31 PM257°11h 27m
March6:42 AM7:11 AM6:13 PM6:42 PM268°12h 01m
April6:14 AM6:43 AM6:22 PM6:52 PM281°12h 39m
May5:55 AM6:26 AM6:33 PM7:04 PM291°13h 09m
June5:51 AM6:23 AM6:44 PM7:16 PM296°13h 26m
July5:59 AM6:31 AM6:46 PM7:18 PM294°13h 19m
August6:12 AM6:42 AM6:33 PM7:04 PM285°12h 52m
September6:20 AM6:50 AM6:07 PM6:36 PM273°12h 16m
October6:29 AM6:58 AM5:39 PM6:09 PM261°11h 40m
November6:44 AM7:16 AM5:20 PM5:51 PM250°11h 07m
December7:03 AM7:36 AM5:21 PM5:53 PM245°10h 50m

Computed for the park's reference point (21.3882, -158.0575); large parks span several minutes of difference.

Milky Way & dark skies

From Honouliuli, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 7.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 40° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 8 (city sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.

MonthCore visible (15th)HoursMax altitude
JanuaryNot visible in darkness——
February4:16 AM – 5:46 AM1.525°
March2:26 AM – 5:26 AM3.036°
April12:28 AM – 4:48 AM4.340°
May10:26 PM – 4:26 AM6.040°
June8:42 PM – 4:22 AM7.740°
July8:42 PM – 2:52 AM6.240°
August8:22 PM – 12:52 AM4.540°
September7:51 PM – 10:51 PM3.037°
October7:23 PM – 8:53 PM1.526°
NovemberNot visible in darkness——
DecemberNot visible in darkness——

8 Estimated Bortle 8 — City sky. Only bright constellations are visible; the sky glows orange or white.

Weather & best time to visit

The temperature ranges from 70°F/22°C to 85°F/29°C year round with light tropical showers common.

Weather overview: National Park Service.

Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 42% average cloud cover) and March as the cloudiest (58%). September is the warmest month and February the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.

Average cloud cover (%)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Average high (°F)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Photography permits, drones & fees

Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.

Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.

Getting there

There are currently no directions to the Honouliuli National Historic Site as the monument remains closed to the public due to accessibility issues in the process of being resolved.

Directions: National Park Service.

Activities

  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Nearby parks

FAQ

When is the best time to photograph Honouliuli National Historic Site?
September has the clearest skies on average; june is best for the milky way core. For light, plan around the first and last hour of sun. Spring and autumn usually bring softer light and fewer crowds; check the monthly table for sunrise and sunset times.
Do you need a photography permit in Honouliuli?
Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Can you fly a drone in Honouliuli?
Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Can you see the Milky Way in Honouliuli?
Yes — from February to October, best in June. Estimated sky: Bortle 8.
What time is sunset in Honouliuli?
On the 15th of October the sun sets at about 6:09 PM local time; see the live widget for today.