Sunsets on Oahu

By Joe Flanagan

If you’re on the island of Oahu, or anywhere in Hawaii for that matter, you have to make a point to see our beautiful sunsets. The colors are amazing as they light up the sky with the different hues of red, orange, pink, and blue. The times of the setting sun vary depending on the time of the year, anywhere between 5:45pm and 7:30pm. But if you see the sun getting close to the horizon, be sure to quickly find your spot to watch it set as it usually disappears within about 30 minutes.

Following are some spots you can check out for watching the sun set on Oahu.

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki of course would be the closest place. You can have a seat on the beach facing the ocean and have a memorable moment watching the sun set beyond the waters.

Ala Moana Beach Park
Not too far from Waikiki, go to Ala Moana Beach Park and walk out to the end of Magic Island. You can have a seat on the many benches facing the sunset.

Kakaako Waterfront Park
Just down the street from Ala Moana is a waterfront park with large rolling grass hills and a great wall along the shoreline where the waves break. Listen to the ocean waters while watching the setting sun.

Tantalus Drive
If you have a car and want to take a drive, head up Tantalus Drive. This will take you to some elevated points up in the mountains where you can pull off along side the road and watch the sun set into the ocean. But plan your drive early in the day so you can make sure you get the perfect scenic spot.

West Coast Side
Since the sun sets in the west, anywhere along the west coast of the island will make great spots to catch the setting sun. A few places would be Makaha, Waianae, and Nanakuli Beaches. Make a day of it. Take food with you, enjoy the beaches, and have a picnic while enjoying the sunset.

Sunset Beach
This one is on North Shore, a little further away. But the name says it all. Sunsets on the North Shore are the most spectacular on the island.

July 4th Fireworks Events near Waikiki

Guest Post by Sheila Beal at Go Visit Hawaii

Oahu really knows how to celebrate Independence Day with a bang!

July 4th Fireworks at Ala Moana Beach Park (near  and possibly visible from Waikiki)

Ala Moana Center has traditionally hosted Oahu’s biggest fireworks show and this year’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be no different. The fireworks show is set to start at 8:30 pm at Ala Moana Beach Park. This show is free and open to the public. As the biggest fireworks show on the island, organizers estimate that up to 50,000 people may attend this event at Ala Moana Beach Park.

Prior to the big fireworks show, Ala Moana Center will offer free entertainment starting at 4pm.

Ala Moana Center is located at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. To get there from Waikiki, you can drive, take the bus or trolley or walk. See this link for transportation options. We do not recommend that you drive as there will be some road closures in the immediate vicinity before and after the event.

Traditionally, these fireworks set off from Magic Isle at the tip of Ala Moana Beach Park. As such, the fireworks are potentially visible from various locations surrounding Ala Moana Beach Park. Take a look at this Google map link with Magic Isle pinned to help you visualize potential viewing points from the various beaches of Waikiki.

Other Notes

The annual July 3rd fireworks from Aloha Tower Marketplace will not take place this year due to major construction at Aloha Tower.

Hilton Hawaiian Village will not host their weekly Friday night fireworks display on Friday, July 4, 2014 for safety reasons. The display will continue the following week.

Mahalo to all these sponsors and event organizers who make Oahu a special place to celebrate Independence Day!

Events are subject to change without notice.

Have a safe and happy July 4th whether you’re on Oahu or beyond!