Located in the central Pacific, the the island of Oʻahu offers stargazing opportunities with less light and air pollution compared to other metropolitan areas on the U.S. mainland. In addition, the Hawaiian Islands are the southernmost location in the United States.
From Hawaiʻi Island (19.8968° N) to Kauaʻi (22.108543° N), the Hawiian night sky can offer different constellations and celestial objects, such as the Southern Cross (Crux), which is not visible in most of the continental U.S.
Crux is a constellation of the southern sky that includes four main stars in a cross-shape and was a significant constellation in Polynesian wayfinding. Polynesian navigators memorized the rising and setting positions of hundreds of stars. Today, this this information is organized by the Hawaiian star compass, developed by Native Hawaiian Pwo (Master) Navigator Nainoa Thompson.
At the South Pole, the two stars pointing north to south in the Southern Cross are directly overhead. As you travel north, the distance from the top or northern star, Gacrux (Gamma Crucis), to the bottom or southern star, Acrux (Alpha Crucis), is eventually the same distance from the bottom star to the horizon. This only occurs in the latitude of Hawai’i.
Whether you are already an avid stargazer or merely want to experience the Hawaiian sky, the following organizations on Oʻahu offer opportunities for learning about and gazing at the stars, planets, and other celestial objects.
Hawaiian Astronomical Society (HAS)
Founded in 1949, the Hawaiian Astronomical Society (HAS) is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting amateur astronomy in Hawaii. HAS is affiliated with the Astronomical League. Membership is open to all ($20/year last time we checked). Events include monthly meetings, member-only star parties, and other activities. More info: HAS – About Us (hawastsoc.org)
HAS als hosts FREE public star parties every lunar month to share the skies with anyone who wishes to show up. Star parties provide opportunities for new members to meet with the old hands and for newcomers to compare telescopes before buying. These gatherings also allow for a relaxed and informal exchange of information among members, as well as serious observing projects from a safe, dark site.
Free stargazing events are usually held (weather permitting) on the weekend closest to the new moon away from light pollution (i.e. Saturday at Dillingham Airfield). First quarter moon viewing is also held in two locations: Kahala Community Park (East Oahu) and Geiger Park in Ewa (Leeward Oahu) one Saturday each month.
May-June 2024 HAS free public stargazing events
HAS hosts public star parties every lunar month to share the skies with anyone who wishes to join us. There is no charge.
- Sat 4/13/2024 from 7:00p – 12:00a. Public Star Party @ Dillingham (Farrington Highway/State Highway #930 in Mokuleia)
- Sat 4/20/2024 from 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Kahala Community Park (4495 Pahoa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816)
- Sat 4/20/2024 from 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Geiger Community Park (1129 Kahiuka St, Ewa Beach, HI 96706)
- Sat 5/11/2024 from 7:00p – 12:00a. Public Star Party @ Dillingham (Farrington Highway/State Highway #930 in Mokuleia)
- Sat 5/18/2024 from 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Kahala Community Park (4495 Pahoa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816)
- Sat 5/18/2024 from 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Geiger Community Park (1129 Kahiuka St, Ewa Beach, HI 96706)
- More info: Hawaiian Astronomical Society (HAS) (hawastsoc.org)
Stargazers of Hawaii
Stargazers of Hawaii was established in 2019 by Nick Bradley who was born and raised in Honolulu. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from UH Manoa and works in the field all across the island of Oahu. Nick loves to share his passion the wonders of the night sky at the following events. More info: Stargazers of Hawaii
- Ticketed stargazing events every 2nd & 4th Wednesday (weather permitting) at International Market Place. Tickets: $30/person. Kids under 5 are free. View deep space objects. Learn the stars and constellations. More info: Buy tickets for Stargazers of Hawaii (tickettailor.com
- FREE stargazing events (weather permitting) at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Building A, 4th floor rooftop (see schedule below). View the Moon through the telescope. No registration required. More info: ROOFTOP STARGAZING — Royal Hawaiian Center
2024 FREE public STARGAZING at Royal Hawaiian Center
- Wednesday, January 3, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Thursday February 15, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm
- Sunday March 17, 6:45 pm – 8:45 pm
- Wednesday April 17 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday May 16 7;15 pm – 9:15 pm
- Sunday, June 16 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm
- Sunday, July 14 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm
- Wednesday August 14 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday September 12 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday October 24 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Wednesday November 20 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Sunday December 15 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
J. Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum’s Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium (formerly Kilolani Planetarium) opened in 1961. The planetarium focuses on programs about Hawaiʻi, blending live and prerecorded elements within each program. The Planetarium was instrumental in the recovery of wayfinding techniques—the nearly lost art and science of traditional, non-instrument navigation used by Polynesian explorers to Hawaiʻi.
The Digistar 4K full-dome video system covers the entire dome in immersive video. The planetarium’s GOTO Chronos II optical star projector provides one of the most vivid, realistic recreations of the night sky available today, with 8,500 pinpoint stars and realistic, bright planets. The various programs let visitors fly among our solar system or to the edge of the universe as well as simulate a voyage across the Pacific.
All J. Watumull Planetarium shows are ticketed and can be experienced during a daytime visit to Bishop Museum or as a special standalone event.
- General admission daytime tickets run Friday-Monday (no daytime shows Wednesday-Thursday). Tickets are available on-site only as an add-on to Bishop Museum’s daytime General Admission. Space is limited. We recommend arrive at the museum early in the day and check for planetarium tickets as soon as you arrive. Different shows run every hour, including The Hawaiian Sky, Wayfinders, and related topics in Pacific culture and history. More info: Admission – Bishop Museum
- Special Evening Planetarium Shows on the 3rd Wednesday or Friday each month can be purchased upon arrival from the admissions desk at Shop Pacifica or online. More info: Planetarium – Bishop Museum
You might also like: How to get free admission & discount tickets to Bishop Museum (hawaiionthecheap.com)
Calendar of upcoming events
Listed below are upcoming free and affordable events of all kinds from our calendar. Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Friday, May 3, 2024
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Friday, May 10, 2024
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Monday, May 13, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Friday, May 17, 2024
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Monday, May 20, 2024
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Friday, May 24, 2024
Saturday, May 25, 2024
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Monday, May 27, 2024
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Monday, June 3, 2024
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Friday, June 7, 2024
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Monday, June 10, 2024
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Friday, June 14, 2024
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Monday, June 17, 2024
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Oʻahu: Farrington Hwy, Mokuleia, HI 96791
Oʻahu: Geiger Community Park, 1129 Kahiuka St, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Leave a Reply