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.
Earth and solar system planets, sun, stars. Elements of this image furnished by NASA image by buradaki. Via iStock by Getty Images.
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.
August/September 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 8/10/2024, 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Kahala Community Park (4495 Pahoa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816)
- Sat 8/10/2024, 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Geiger Community Park (1129 Kahiuka St, Ewa Beach, HI 96706)
- Sat 8/24/2024, 7:00p – 12:00a. Public Star Party @ Dillingham (Farrington Highway/State Highway #930 in Mokuleia)
- Sat 9/7/2024, 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Kahala Community Park (4495 Pahoa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816)
- Sat 9/7/2024, 7:00p – 10:00p. Public Star Party @ Geiger Community Park (1129 Kahiuka St, Ewa Beach, HI 96706)
- Sat 9/21/2024, 7:00p – 12:00a. Public Star Party @ Dillingham (Farrington Highway/State Highway #930 in Mokuleia)
- 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)
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
More info: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
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