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Scenic Viewpoints in Hawaii

20 scenic viewpoints in Hawaii with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Hawaii County has the most (13). The darkest skies are at Hōlei Sea Arch Overlook (Bortle 2).

Top scenic viewpoints

Bay View HomeScenic Viewpoint
Bay View HomeKalawao County
Scenic Viewpoint
Kalahaku OverlookMaui County · 2,723 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Kalalau Lookout, HonopuKauai County · 1,153 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Keanakāko‘i OverlookHawaii County · 1,085 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Kīlauea OverlookHawaii County · 1,224 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Kīpuka Kahāli‘i OverlookHawaii County · 930 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Leleiwi OverlookMaui County · 2,566 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Mau Loa O Mauna Ulu OverlookHawaii County · 902 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Muliwai a Pele OverlookHawaii County · 757 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Pu‘u Pua‘i OverlookHawaii County · 1,125 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Southwest Rift OverlookHawaii County · 1,140 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Halema‘uma‘u OverlookHawaii County · 1,037 m

Scenic Viewpoints by county

All scenic viewpoints (20)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Bay View HomeKalaupapaKalawao County—Kualapu‘u3
Kalahaku OverlookHaleakalāMaui County2,723 mKula3
Kalalau Lookout, HonopuKauai County1,153 mPrinceville2
Keanakāko‘i OverlookHawaiʻi VolcanoesHawaii County1,085 mVolcano3
Kīlauea OverlookHawaiʻi VolcanoesHawaii County1,224 mVolcano3
Kīpuka Kahāli‘i OverlookHawaii County930 mVolcano2
Leleiwi OverlookHaleakalāMaui County2,566 mOlinda, CDP3
Mau Loa O Mauna Ulu OverlookHawaii County902 mVolcano2
Muliwai a Pele OverlookHawaii County757 mVolcano2
Pu‘u Pua‘i OverlookHawaiʻi VolcanoesHawaii County1,125 mVolcano3
Southwest Rift OverlookHawaiʻi VolcanoesHawaii County1,140 mVolcano2
Halema‘uma‘u OverlookHawaiʻi VolcanoesHawaii County1,037 mVolcano3
Hālona Kahakai OverlookHawaii County597 mVolcano2
Hōlei Sea Arch OverlookHawaii County17 mFern Forest2
Hōlei Pali OverlookHawaii County204 mVolcano2
Alanui Kahiko OverlookHawaii County251 mVolcano2
Crater OverlookHaleakalāMaui County2,549 mOlinda, CDP3
Waimea LookoutKauai County1,016 mKekaha-Waimea3
Lanai LookoutHonolulu County29 mKalanipuu8
Waipio Scenic OverlookHawaii County—Honoka‘a2

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph scenic viewpoints

Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.

  • Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find a composition before the light peaks.
  • Use a telephoto (70–200 mm) to isolate layered ridges and light rays instead of shooting only wide.
  • Check the sun azimuth for your date: front-light, side-light and back-light give three different pictures from the same rail.
  • Haze builds in summer afternoons; mornings after a cold front are often the clearest.
  • Stay behind barriers — many overlook edges are undercut or crumbly.

Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.