Hawaii Lighting Ordinances — Three Classes, Approved Technologies, and Penalties
Hawaii's lighting ordinances require all outdoor fixtures to be fully shielded and restrict lamp types to low-pressure sodium, PC Amber LED, 590nm amber, and red LEDs — classified into three categories based on application. Violations are subject to fines of up to $500 per infraction under Hawaii County Ordinance 01-67 and its amendments.
Hawaii's lighting ordinances are among the most detailed and strictly enforced in the United States. Designed to preserve the clarity of the night sky over Mauna Kea — home to some of the world's most significant astronomical research facilities, including the W.M. Keck Observatory — and to protect the islands' unique nocturnal ecosystems, these regulations govern fixture type, lamp spectrum, shielding, and operating hours for all outdoor lighting installations.
This page covers the three lighting classifications, the approved lamp technologies for each class, the LPS vs PC Amber LED comparison, 590nm and red LED options, enforcement and penalties, and the Access Fixtures product range that meets Hawaii's requirements. Residents, businesses, property managers, contractors, and lighting professionals planning exterior lighting in Hawaii will find everything needed to specify compliant fixtures for any application.
Key Takeaways
- Three lighting classes with distinct requirements. Hawaii's ordinance defines Class I (color-critical applications), Class II (general ground illumination), and Class III (decorative lighting) — each with specific fixture, lamp type, and shielding requirements.
- All outdoor fixtures must be fully shielded. Full cutoff design is mandatory across all three classes. Fixtures that allow upward light emission do not comply regardless of lamp type.
- PC Amber LED is the preferred modern alternative to low-pressure sodium. It matches the narrow-wavelength, low-pollution characteristics of LPS while delivering better color rendering and higher lumen output.
- Violations carry fines of up to $500 per infraction. Enforcement is active — non-compliance can also result in imprisonment in severe cases.
History and Principles of Hawaii's Dark Sky Regulations
Hawaii's dark sky regulations date to the 1990s when the state first recognized the threat light pollution posed to its world-class astronomical observatories and to its ecologically sensitive nocturnal environments. Hawaii County Ordinance 01-67 established the foundational framework — requiring fully shielded fixtures, restricting lamp types to narrow-wavelength sources, and creating the three-class system still in use today.
The W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea is the primary driver of the regulation's strictness. At an elevation of 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea provides some of the clearest, driest observing conditions on Earth. Light pollution — even from distant sources — reduces contrast in the night sky, making faint celestial objects harder to detect. The observatory's scientific mission depends on the darkness of the surrounding environment.
Beyond astronomical research, Hawaii's nocturnal ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to artificial light. Sea turtles use natural light gradients to navigate from nesting beaches to the ocean — artificial light disrupts this navigation and increases mortality. Seabirds, insects, and other nocturnal species are similarly affected. Hawaii's regulations reflect the state's recognition that the night sky is a natural resource worth protecting for both scientific and ecological reasons.
Hawaii's Three Lighting Classes Explained
Hawaii uses a classification system that defines three classes of outdoor lighting, each with specific requirements for fixture type, lamp source, shielding, and operating hours. The official ordinance chart is published by Hawaii County. Violation of these ordinances is punishable by fines of up to $500 per infraction.
Class I
Color-Critical Applications
Eating areas, repair shops, recreational facilities, and other locations where accurate color rendering is essential. Permitted sources: LED or low-pressure sodium. All fixtures must be fully shielded. All Class I lights must be off from 11pm to sunrise.
Class II
General Ground Illumination
Walkway lighting, roadway lighting, and sidewalk lighting. Required source: fully shielded low-pressure sodium only — no exceptions. LED is not permitted for Class II applications.
Class III
Decorative Lighting
Building sconces, landscape lighting, pond lighting, and other decorative outdoor fixtures. All Class III fixtures must be fully shielded. Considered the least essential category — subject to the strictest discretionary enforcement.
Official Hawaii lighting ordinance classification chart showing the three classes and their requirements.
Not sure which lighting class applies to your Hawaii project — or which fixture and lamp type is required for your application? An Access Fixtures lighting specialist will confirm the correct specification before you order.
Call 800-468-9925 Request a QuoteLow-Pressure Sodium vs PC Amber LED
LPS vs PC Amber LED comparison — efficacy, color rendering, and sky glow characteristics.
Hawaii's ordinances were written when low-pressure sodium (LPS) was the only commercially viable narrow-wavelength light source for outdoor applications. LPS emits light at a very narrow wavelength centered around 589nm — making it easy to filter out in astronomical observations and minimizing its impact on nocturnal wildlife.
| Characteristic | Low-Pressure Sodium (LPS) | PC Amber LED |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | ~589nm — extremely narrow | ~590nm — narrow, similar to LPS |
| Color rendering (CRI) | ~25 — very poor | ~70+ — good |
| Lumen output | Moderate | Higher — more lumens per watt |
| Energy efficiency | Good | Superior — LED efficacy advantage |
| Warm-up time | Several minutes | Instant-on |
| Rated life | 12,000–18,000 hours | 50,000–200,000+ hours |
| Hawaii Class I compliance | Yes — fully shielded | Yes — fully shielded |
| Hawaii Class II compliance | Yes | No — LPS required for Class II |
PC Amber LEDs match the narrow-wavelength, low-pollution characteristics of LPS while delivering better color rendering, higher lumen output, instant-on operation, and a service life up to ten times longer. For Class I applications, PC Amber LED is the superior specification in every measurable dimension except cost of the initial fixture — which is typically recovered in energy and maintenance savings within the first two to three years.
Approved LED Technologies for Hawaii Dark Sky Friendly Compliance
PC Amber LED
Phosphor-converted amber LEDs emit light centered around 590nm — closely matching the narrow emission spectrum of low-pressure sodium. PC Amber LEDs are permitted for Class I applications and provide superior color rendering and efficacy compared to LPS. The phosphor conversion process ensures a stable, consistent amber output without the warm-up delay of gas-discharge sources.
Access Fixtures PC Amber LED fixtures are available in post top, bollard, and wall pack configurations with full cutoff optics for Hawaii compliance.
590nm Amber LED
590nm LEDs emit light directly in the yellow-orange spectrum without phosphor conversion. The 590nm wavelength is similar to moonlight in warmth and provides gentle illumination without excessive brightness. Less disruptive to nocturnal wildlife than broad-spectrum white LEDs — and less likely to contribute to sky glow when used in fully shielded fixtures.
Ideal for ecologically sensitive coastal areas, wildlife corridors, and any Hawaii installation where the 590nm wavelength is specified in the project requirements.
Red LEDs — 620nm to 750nm
Red LED — 620nm to 750nm
Least perceptible to most nocturnal animals. Minimal impact on astronomical instruments. Used in ecologically critical zones.
Red LED lights operate within the 620nm to 750nm wavelength range. This wavelength is less perceptible to most nocturnal animals — including sea turtles, seabirds, and insects — making red LEDs the most wildlife-friendly artificial light source available. Many nocturnal species have limited sensitivity to red wavelengths, allowing them to maintain natural behaviors even in lit environments.
For astronomical observations, red light is less likely to interfere with sensitive detection equipment than white or blue-shifted light sources. This makes red LEDs appropriate for use in zones closest to observatory facilities where the strictest dark sky conditions are required.
590nm Red-LED Blend
590nm Red-LED Blend
Merges 590nm amber warmth with red LED technology. Balances visibility with minimum ecological disruption.
The 590nm Red-LED blend combines the warm amber output of 590nm LEDs with red LED technology to produce a light source that prioritizes outdoor visibility without excessive brightness. This blend minimizes light pollution, contributes to nocturnal environment preservation, and aligns with Hawaii's dark sky friendly regulations while providing sufficient illumination for pedestrian safety and property security.
To confirm which LED technology is right for your specific Hawaii application, contact an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at 800-468-9925 or email [email protected].
Enforcement and Penalties
Fines up to $500 per infraction — imprisonment possible in severe cases
Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) enforces the lighting ordinances in collaboration with local law enforcement. Non-compliant fixtures are subject to fines of up to $500 per infraction. Repeated or egregious violations can result in imprisonment. The DLNR conducts active monitoring — particularly in zones surrounding Mauna Kea — and non-compliance is not treated as a minor administrative matter.
Compliance is confirmed at the fixture and installation level. A fixture that is the correct lamp type but not fully shielded does not comply. A fixture that is fully shielded but uses a non-approved lamp type does not comply. Both conditions must be met simultaneously for every outdoor fixture on a property in Hawaii.
Full cutoff amber LED wall pack — fully shielded, narrow-wavelength source, Hawaii Class I compliant.
Conclusion — Specifying Hawaii-Compliant LED Lighting
Hawaii's lighting ordinances are the most technically specific dark sky friendly regulations in the United States. Full cutoff fixture design is mandatory across all three classes. Class II applications require low-pressure sodium with no exceptions. Class I applications permit LED — but only PC Amber, 590nm, or red LED sources in fully shielded fixtures. Class I lights must be off from 11pm to sunrise.
PC Amber LED is the preferred specification for Class I applications. It matches the narrow wavelength of low-pressure sodium while delivering superior color rendering, higher efficacy, and a service life measured in decades rather than years. 590nm and red LED options serve the most ecologically sensitive zones where even PC Amber may be too broad a spectrum for wildlife protection requirements.
Access Fixtures has supplied Hawaii-compliant outdoor lighting for commercial, municipal, and residential projects across the islands. To confirm the right fixture, lamp type, and shielding configuration for your project — and to confirm it will pass inspection before it ships — call an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at 800-468-9925.
Confirm your Hawaii lighting specification before you order. An Access Fixtures lighting specialist will verify fixture class, lamp type, shielding, and operating hour requirements for your specific project and location.
Call 800-468-9925 Request a QuoteRelated: Dark Sky Friendly Bollard Lights for Park City Pathway Lighting
Frequently Asked Questions — Hawaii Lighting Ordinances and Dark Sky Friendly Regulations
You have questions about Hawaii's lighting ordinances and which LED fixtures comply. We have answers. If your question is not covered below, call an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at 800-468-9925.
What are Hawaii's lighting classes and what do they require?
Hawaii's lighting ordinances classify outdoor lights into three categories. Class I covers areas where color rendering is important — eating areas, repair shops, recreational facilities — and permits LED or low-pressure sodium fixtures that are fully shielded. All Class I lights must be off from 11pm to sunrise. Class II covers general illumination of grounds — walkway lighting, roadway lighting, sidewalk lighting — and requires fully shielded low-pressure sodium fixtures with no exceptions. Class III covers decorative lighting — building sconces, landscape lighting, pond lighting — and requires all fixtures to be fully shielded.
Why does Hawaii prefer low-pressure sodium lights?
Low-pressure sodium lights are preferred for their extremely narrow emission wavelength centered around 589nm, which minimizes sky glow and light pollution. This is crucial for preserving Hawaii's night sky visibility for astronomical research, particularly at the W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea where dark conditions are essential for detecting faint celestial objects.
How do PC Amber LEDs compare to low-pressure sodium for Hawaii compliance?
PC Amber LEDs match the low light pollution benefits of low-pressure sodium while providing better color rendering (CRI 70+ vs CRI ~25 for LPS) and higher lumen output. PC Amber LEDs also offer instant-on operation and rated lives of 50,000 to 200,000+ hours compared to 12,000 to 18,000 hours for LPS. For Class I applications, PC Amber LED is the superior specification. Note that PC Amber LED does not qualify for Class II applications — those require LPS with no exceptions.
What are the advantages of 590nm lighting for Hawaii dark sky friendly requirements?
590nm lighting falls in the yellow-orange spectrum and emits a warm glow similar to moonlight. It minimizes light pollution, is less disruptive to nocturnal wildlife than broad-spectrum white LEDs, and complies with Hawaii's regulations protecting the night sky and unique ecosystems. It is the preferred specification for ecologically sensitive coastal areas and wildlife corridors.
How do red LEDs benefit wildlife and astronomical observations in Hawaii?
Red LEDs emit light at wavelengths between 620nm and 750nm, which is less perceptible to most nocturnal animals — including sea turtles, seabirds, and insects — reducing environmental disturbance. Their specific spectrum also minimizes interference with astronomical equipment at facilities like the W.M. Keck Observatory, making them the most appropriate choice for zones closest to observatory facilities.
What role do light shields play in Hawaii dark sky friendly compliance?
Full cutoff shielding is required for all three classes of Hawaii outdoor lighting. Fully shielded fixtures direct light downward only, preventing upward spillage that causes sky glow and glare. A fixture with an approved lamp type that is not fully shielded does not comply with Hawaii's ordinances regardless of its wavelength.
What are the penalties for violating Hawaii's lighting ordinances?
Violations of Hawaii's lighting ordinances under Hawaii County Ordinance 01-67 can result in fines of up to $500 per infraction. In severe cases, non-compliance can result in imprisonment. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in collaboration with local law enforcement. Active monitoring is conducted in zones surrounding Mauna Kea.
Which Access Fixtures LED products comply with Hawaii's lighting ordinances?
Access Fixtures offers fully shielded post top lights, bollard lights, and wall packs in 2200K, PC Amber, and 590nm configurations that meet Hawaii's Class I dark sky friendly requirements. Call 800-468-9925 to confirm the right product family, shielding configuration, and lamp type for your specific project location and lighting class before ordering.