Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Hawaii. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 2 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Kalaupapa
We matched 2 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Kalaupapa. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Scenic Viewpoints (1)
Ghost Towns (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Kalaupapa 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.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:08 AM | 7:40 AM | 5:35 PM | 6:07 PM | 248° | 10h 59m |
| February | 6:59 AM | 7:29 AM | 5:56 PM | 6:27 PM | 257° | 11h 28m |
| March | 6:37 AM | 7:06 AM | 6:09 PM | 6:38 PM | 268° | 12h 01m |
| April | 6:09 AM | 6:39 AM | 6:18 PM | 6:47 PM | 281° | 12h 38m |
| May | 5:51 AM | 6:22 AM | 6:28 PM | 6:59 PM | 291° | 13h 09m |
| June | 5:47 AM | 6:19 AM | 6:39 PM | 7:12 PM | 296° | 13h 25m |
| July | 5:55 AM | 6:27 AM | 6:42 PM | 7:13 PM | 294° | 13h 18m |
| August | 6:07 AM | 6:38 AM | 6:29 PM | 6:59 PM | 285° | 12h 52m |
| September | 6:16 AM | 6:45 AM | 6:03 PM | 6:32 PM | 273° | 12h 16m |
| October | 6:24 AM | 6:54 AM | 5:35 PM | 6:04 PM | 261° | 11h 40m |
| November | 6:39 AM | 7:11 AM | 5:16 PM | 5:47 PM | 250° | 11h 08m |
| December | 6:58 AM | 7:31 AM | 5:17 PM | 5:49 PM | 245° | 10h 51m |
Computed for the park's reference point (21.1731, -156.9512); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Kalaupapa, 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 3 (rural sky), good enough for detailed Milky Way images.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:12 AM – 5:42 AM | 1.5 | 26° |
| March | 2:22 AM – 5:22 AM | 3.0 | 37° |
| April | 12:24 AM – 4:44 AM | 4.3 | 40° |
| May | 10:21 PM – 4:21 AM | 6.0 | 40° |
| June | 8:37 PM – 4:17 AM | 7.7 | 40° |
| July | 8:37 PM – 2:47 AM | 6.2 | 40° |
| August | 8:17 PM – 12:47 AM | 4.5 | 40° |
| September | 7:46 PM – 10:46 PM | 3.0 | 37° |
| October | 7:19 PM – 8:49 PM | 1.5 | 26° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
3 Estimated Bortle 3 — Rural sky. Some light domes sit on the horizon, but the Milky Way still looks complex overhead.
Weather & best time to visit
Hawaii enjoys warm temperatures year-round, although site conditions at the park can vary depending on weather and time of year. The rainy season is in the winter with the more hot and humid days in the summer. Trade winds are fairly constant and typically blow from the northeast. Daytime temperatures range from 65–75° F in the winter to 80-90°F in the summer. Nighttime temperatures are often in the 60-70°F range.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 51% average cloud cover) and March as the cloudiest (67%). 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 (%)
Average high (°F)
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
Kalaupapa is an extremely isolated place, surrounded on three sides by ocean and two-thousand foot cliffs on the fourth. Consequently, there is no road access into the peninsula. Kalaupapa cannot be reached by automobile. To get to the park, visitors must travel by air or on foot. See the park's Direction and Transportation webpage for additional information.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Guided Tours
- Living History
- Museum Exhibits
Nearby parks
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