Did you know there’s a moment in Hawaiʻi when your shadow disappears entirely?
This uncommon tropical event, called Lāhainā Noon, occurs only twice a year and only within the tropics.
Here’s everything you need to know to witness it.
Table of contents
- What exactly is Lāhainā Noon?
- When is Lāhainā Noon in 2025?
- Where to best see Lāhainā Noon
- Lāhainā Noon viewing tips
- Future Lāhainā Noon dates
Good to know: you can find more observable astronomy events in our Astronomy calendar for Hawaiʻi.
You can see how Lāhainā Noon alters shadows in this bicycle statue photo.
The statue’s shadow during Lāhainā Noon becomes a thin vertical line.
Image credit: Daniel Ramirez (source).
Astronomy calendar for Hawaiʻi
If you enjoy stargazing, our yearly calendar lists the easiest meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and notable astronomy events.
What exactly is “Lāhainā Noon”?
Lāhainā Noon has nothing to do with Lahaina on Maui.
The Bishop Museum coined the modern term in 1990 to name the moment the sun stands directly overhead.
“Lā haina” translates as “cruel sun” in Hawaiian.
It is also called kau ka lā i ka lolo — “the sun rests upon the brain.”
Elsewhere, scientists call this the sub-solar point, where the sun is exactly overhead and shadows vanish.
Physics communicator Diana Cowern (Physics Girl) explains it well in a video.
This event happens across many tropical places, not just Hawaiʻi.
Places such as Cuba, Nigeria, Indonesia, Peru, Sudan, and Laos also experience it.
But don’t worry — the Hawaiian sun isn’t actually cruel.
Unless you’re on lava plains without water, that is.
Lāhainā Noon offers a unique photo opportunity and a moment to reflect on Earth’s orbit around the sun.
When can you experience Lāhainā Noon in Hawaiʻi in 2025
Lāhainā Noon in Hawaiʻi occurs twice yearly, around late May and mid-July.
The exact dates and times shift with latitude.
You can check the solar noon time when the sun reaches 90° altitude on sites like Timeanddate.
Another tool shows the planet’s current sub-solar point: rl.se/sub-solar-point.
On the Hawaiian islands the 2025 Lāhainā Noon occurs at these times:
May 2025
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:28 PM (May 26)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:22 PM (May 23+24)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:35 PM (May 30)
- Hilo: 12:16 PM (May 17+18)
- Kona: 12:20 PM (May 17)
July 2025
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:37 PM (July 15)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:32 PM (July 17+18)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:43 PM (July 11)
- Hilo: 12:26 PM (July 23+24)
- Kona: 12:30 PM (July 24)
A few good places to go for Lāhainā Noon
Many spots in Hawaiʻi work well, but beaches make for especially striking views.
Places with varied object shapes also highlight how forms look without shadows.
One sculpture was created with Lāhainā Noon in mind: Sky Gate in Honolulu.
The Sky Gate in Honolulu
If you are on Oʻahu, consider visiting Sky Gate by the Frank F Fasi Municipal Building.
The address is 650 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813.
This curving sculpture stands about 24′ (8 meters) tall.
During Lāhainā Noon the sculpture’s curved shadows form a perfect circle on its concrete base.
The Sky Gate draws astronomy fans at Lāhainā Noon.
Tips for planning your Lāhainā Noon experience
- Confirm the exact date and time. The event lasts only minutes.
- Pick a spot with a clear sky. Clouds block the view.
- Dress for heat. Bring sunscreen and water.
- Bring a camera. The scene can look surreal, like a poor CGI render.
You can see how traffic poles lose their shadows briefly during Lāhainā Noon.
Fake or real? Poles can appear fake for a few minutes, but they are real.
Lāhainā Noon dates and times for 2026 and 2027
Below are solar noon times when the sun reaches 90° overhead for the four main islands.
Sometimes solar noon misses the exact 90° by a hair; we then list nearby days at 89.9°.
When is Lāhainā Noon in 2026?
May 2026
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:28 PM (May 26+27)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:22 PM (May 24)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:35 PM (May 31)
- Hilo (Hawaiʻi island): 12:16 PM (May 18)
July 2026
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:37 PM (July 15 + 16)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:32 PM (July 18)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:43 PM (July 11)
- Hilo (Hawaiʻi island): 12:26 PM (July 24)
When is Lāhainā Noon in 2027?
May 2027
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:28 PM (May 26+27)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:22 PM (May 24)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:35 PM (May 31)
- Hilo (Hawaiʻi island): 12:16 PM (May 18)
July 2027
- Honolulu (Oʻahu): 12:37 PM (July 16)
- Kahului (Maui): 12:32 PM (July 18)
- Līhuʻe (Kauai): 12:43 PM (July 11+12)
- Hilo (Hawaiʻi island): 12:26 PM (July 24)