The Great American Eclipse is just five days away! But did you know that the eclipse will be visible in Hawaii too?
In six days the Great American Eclipse will captivate the nation. And while total solar eclipses happen about once every 18 months, they rarely occur over land. But next week, one will occur over most of the Continental U.S. So if you can, you better take advantage of this opportunity. Total solar eclipses happen in the same area only once every 360 to 410 years.
Hawaii Will See it Too… Sort of
Luckily, those of us in Hawaii will be able to see the eclipse too. However, unlike in the Continental U.S., Hawaii will only see a partial solar eclipse. According to timeanddate.com, the eclipse will be visible in Hawaii beginning at 6:11 am as the sun is rising. The eclipse will reach its maximum at 6:35 am and will finish at 7:25 am.
Since the eclipse will begin during sunrise and will reach its maximum just 34 minutes later, viewers will need to position themselves correctly. This means ensuring that the eastern horizon is visible from whatever vantage point you choose.
Viewing the Great American Eclipse in Hawaii
Here on Oahu, eclipse viewing will be a relatively simple affair. The eastern coast of the island is readily accessible, and places like the Halona Blowhole, Makapuu Lighthouse Trail terminus, Lanikai Pillbox hike, Sandy Beach, etc. will all be excellent vantage points. Viewing on Kauai and the Big Island should be easy too. Both of these islands also have very accessible eastern coasts, much like Oahu.
If you’re on Maui, however, viewing the eclipse might be more of a challenge. Afterall, east coast of Maui is Hana, which is far from the main resort areas and requires a challenging drive to get to. However, Maui has what is probably one of the best vantage points for eclipse viewing too. The summit of Haleakala is famous for its sunrise views.
But sunrise viewing atop Haleakala attracts enormous crowds. And the crowds were getting so bad that they were beginning to threaten the area’s delicate ecosystem. So to remedy the situation, the National Park Services has required that any sunrise viewers make reservations beginning this past February. And if you don’t already have a reservation, chances of nabbing one now are pretty slim.
Great American Eclipse Hawaii Final Thoughts
Again, if you have the opportunity to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event, you should really take advantage of it. I know I would! But if you’re here in Hawaii like me, the event isn’t a total loss. You still have an opportunity to see a partial eclipse! Just make sure you’re in the right place at the right time and have the necessary eye protection.