Hawai'i Skies
Aloha State Daily shares your sky photos
The Aloha State is known for its beautiful and varied skies with frequent rainbows, vibrant sunsets, misty clouds hanging near mountains, and clear nights of bright stars that have historically guided Polynesian navigators.
Whether you live here or are visiting, we’d love to share a recent photo that you have captured while enjoying views of the Hawaiian Islands.
Kindly submit your high-resolution, horizontal photo that you own and/or have the rights to, here on this page or by emailing general@alohastatedaily.com. Include the location and date you took the photo, and a brief description of what made it special. We are excited to review and publish your submission on our site!
Follow these steps to get your photo featured at Aloha State Daily:
1
Please upload a horizontal jpeg image with the highest quality possible (Max 1MB)
2
Include information like your name and where the picture was taken. Tell us in 300 words or fewer about what you saw, i.e., what did you like about it, how did it make you feel, why was it special?
3
Review and click the box to accept the legal terms, then submit.
Featured Images

Starting the day with my daughter. The weather was cloudy and windy, but we decided to go for a swim regardless of the weather. We were rewarded with this memorable sunrise.

I enjoy watching the sunrise with its vibrant colors. It only last a few minutes but it’s a peaceful, contemplative way to start the day and the new year. May this year bring more aloha and unity and peace to our islands.

This photo was taken on an early walk up to Punchbowl and the sun was just peeking over the horizon, creating a scene of a tree of life. I walk many times up this road, but have never witnessed this light and color. Left me in awe as I stopped to take a photo and gaze at the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s sky.

2026 has had some spectacular sunrises in East Hawai’i but this got my attention with the blinds closed! What a beautiful sight.

2026 has had some spectacular sunrises in East Hawai’i but this got my attention with the blinds closed! What a beautiful sight.

What a great way to start the day!

Of all my years on the island I've never seen such a perfect double rainbow.

I thought it was a unique view of the koolaus and the texture of the clouds.

A friend of mine and I were at Halekulani last evening listening to some awesome music and hula dancing when we noticed the lunar halo...amazing views!!!

I was watching the 6 o'clock news that night showing all the flooding on the West Coast, and I looked out onto my lanai from my couch and witnessed this spectacular sunset. How blessed we are to live in Hawaiʻi!

While I was passenger princess on the H-1, the sky turned into an orange colored sea. It was a surreal experience.

The morning sun peaking through the clouds that make Kauaʻi the Garden Island.

December 4 was the last of three super moons in 2025 and the last full moon of the year. Taken from my lanai in Pauka’a, this was dubbed the Cold Moon but the light does seem warm reflecting on the clouds. Always pleased to see a full moon; this one was exceptional.

A beautiful morning spent with ʻOhana and the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorder Foundation Community for the annual Unite Walk for hope and awareness.

Rain clouds over the ocean, off Hawaiʻi Kai. I enjoy taking pictures of clouds, sunset. The picture was taken from the third floor of the Ivy at Hawaiʻi Kai, a senior retirement community, where I live. I used to live in Arizona where I could see weather clouds 30 miles away.

This photo was taken on 35mm slide film at Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, during sunset on Dec. 2, 2025. The contrast between the colors of the ocean and sky was so striking that it demanded a photo.

Taken from my lanai on my Apple iPhone 14 on Thursday, December 4. The sky was so bright as soon the last full moon of 2025 emerged from behind the mountains.

Fortunate to have lived near the top of ʻĀlewa Drive since 1973. Get to frequently enjoy this view from our second story lanai, as well as ānuenue over Nuʻuanu Valley with mauka showers on the other side. Sure reminds us every day how lucky we are that Hawai'i is our home.

This is the Honolulu Hale tree and sunset on Dec. 2. Was fun to see the lights on as the sun set and they slowly got brighter with the darkness.

This Kaka’ako sunset photo was taken from Ala Moana Beach Park. A picture is worth a thousand words.

On Dec. 3, I witnessed a magnificent sunrise. Watching the sun emerge from the ocean, then hide behind some clouds showed me the power and beautiful God that I worship. I was blessed just by seeing this. This is from my deck in Makakilo.

The sky over Waiʻalae Avenue Kaimukī December 1 — goodbye November!

Caught this picture before a recent University of Hawai‘i men's basketball game on the UH-Mānoa campus. If I see a rainbow and I'm in a safe position to take a photo (not driving), I will almost always do so. I think every rainbow is a great reminder of how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful place.

Caught this unreal sunset after a surf sesh. Kewalos knows how to close the day in style. Perfect finish to a full day of surf.

Here’s a photo with the rainbow over Sleeping Giant on Kauai!! Love all the rainbows here!!

We lived on Molokaʻi for several years on the West End and experienced really beautiful sunsets and lots and lots of green flashes. Moved to Hilo about 12 years ago, and really missed the sunsets I’d known (even as an original west coast mainlander). When I finally began starting my day very early in the morning, I began to realize I wasn’t missing anything really, I was just getting a different perspective of Hawaiʻi skies and had been missing the best part of the day. We do get pink clouds at sunset, but nothing like our flaming clouds at sunrise. Made me feel….'lucky I live Hawaiʻi!'

This is the owners house at Ainahau Ranch. In Volcano on the Big Island. I shot this with a Galaxy S21 phone while we were enjoying cocktails after a looong day of fixing barb wire fence. It was a magical night with good friends, lots of stars shining bright and a nice bottle of wine.

This was the third rainbow we saw this day but this one stood out! Truly a magical sight.

I have never seen the sky look quite like this - before or since. The colors were incredible and filled the sky. Gazing at this wondrous display from my isolated and peaceful vantage point filled my spirit. It was transcendent. I remember laying on the grass and just existing in the presence of Ke Akua and my kūpuna and feeling extraordinarily blessed and grateful to be connected - spiritually and physically - to this wahi pana (storied place).

My son loves to watch the clouds roll from the hills makai of us over to the koʻolaus which are mauka of us. These clouds were especially impressive!

Amazing Grace performed by the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawai‘i.

Magical Moment. I felt blessed to witness a gift from the sky.

My morning walk today about 630 am or so- really sets the tone for keeping positive and knowing today will be another beautiful day.

Double rainbow over Punchbowl, each arc a mahalo - one for our veterans who fought for our freedoms, and one for those who protect our peace

The sky consistently reminds me that no two sunsets are ever the same, just as no two moments are ever the same. This reminds me to pause and appreciate the unique beauty that’s always unfolding right where we are.

Looking west in Hawaiʻi Kai, my view is blocked by a ridge. Always looking for a colorful sunset even though I can't see the sun drop into the ocean.

There was a show in the water and the sky, and both were epic!

The last light at The Royal Hawaiian, while celebrating with friends.
Caught the sunset flexing harder than the Supra.

The sun and rain casts a ghostly impression just beyond the King Street Catholic Cemetery. The spirits are ushering Halloween with a bit of spark.

Rainbows in Mānoa seemed especially big and bright on the weekend the UH Rainbow Warriors beat Colorado State.

"Nothing like flying into Hawai‘i and being greeted by blue skies, the blue sea and sunshine."

Pele was unfortunately quiet during my visit, but I was able to capture and enjoy the fire in the sky Sunday evening.

It was a full moon, perfect for night surfing with the boys before school started up again. One last night of friends enjoying each other's company before starting a new school year. It was a beautiful night, despite the light shower. It reminded me of my younger days walking on the beach in Waikīkī.

During a hectic morning, take a moment to look up — you might catch a double rainbow across the sky. And honestly, doesn’t that make everything a little better?

The sunset before the storm. Looking out over Ala Moana Park.

I took it from my backyard in Kaimuki. I was soaking in some moon beams. The sky whispers, the flowers listen.

The sunsets here are always spectacular. Makes you appreciate the beautiful creation. The water here is so clean compared to other beaches.

While waiting for bon dance practice to begin, I looked up and saw the cotton candy clouds and sunset like a halo over the Honpa Hongwangi yagura. It was a promise of a great 2025 Bon Dance season. A Yoi Yoi!

It's where I grew up and lived my entire life. I love this place.

Perfect sunrise out with friends — no better way to start the day!

