Stories from the Hawaiian Islands

Episode 3: Hawaiian Sunsets

Hawaiian Sunsets are just gorgeous. Whether you’re on O‘ahu, Maui or the Island of Hawai‘i. They are full of color and spectacular. You’ll get every shade of red, yellow, orange, pink and deep mauve. You would want to go outside every evening to just sit quietly and watch the sun go down in technicolor.

What would be better that an Hawaiian Sunset? How about a luau and a hula on a warm winter evening? It’s December 1st, 2024 and we were outside in jeans and a t-shirt drinking cocktails… Listing to traditional Hawaiian songs and the inevitable Andrews Sisters evergreen Christmas on Christmas Island.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is a must-visit park when you’re in Hawai‘i. It is home to Kīlauea, an active shield volcano. It is also a great place to watch the sun set. Right on the edge of the Kīlauea caldera sits Volcano House. A hotel and fine dining restaurant. A great place for dinner and drinks, and watching the sun set and steam rise from the vents of Kīlauea from their patio.

In the weeks and months leading up to our trip, there was a lot of seismic activity at the park. Usually a precursor to activity in the volcano. And lo and behold, we had hardly returned home and Halemaʻumaʻu crater inside the Kīlauea caldera started erupting. Between mid December 2024 and October 2025 it has spewed lava 35 times. Sometimes 1500ft high. How cool would it be to sit on the patio of Volcano House at sunset watching Kīlauea’s fireworks?

Afraid of being alone? Head down to Waikīkī Beach. You’re sure to not be alone. And your sunset pics will be swapped with tourists.

Episode Guide

This story is part of a series of stories from my trip to Hawai‘i in December 2024. Other episodes include:

Prelude: Aloha from Hawai‘i
Episode 1: Local Wildlife
Episode 2: USS Missouri
Episode 3: Hawaiian Sunsets
Episode 4: 4 Different Colors of Sand on the Beach

Also, read all about my 3 day stopover in Seattle, WA before heading to Hawai‘i.