Dark Sky Rules: East Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu
How do dark sky rules rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
East Honolulu and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
East Honolulu commercial, industrial, and recreational development must use full cut-off shielded fixtures under ROH 21-4.100, protecting Hawaii Kai and Aina Haina residential skies and Koko Head observations.
View full East Honolulu rules →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu's LUO 21-4.100 requires full cut-off shielded outdoor lighting for commercial, industrial, and outdoor-recreational development so that direct illumination does not spill into residential or resort districts, complementing the state night sky strategy.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | ROH 21-4.100 | LUO 21-4.100 |
| Fixture type | Full cut-off shielded | Full cut-off shielded |
| Applies to | Commercial/industrial | - |
| State companion | HRS 201-8.5 | - |
| Rooftop rule | Shield beyond rooftop | - |
| Scope | - | Commercial, industrial, rec |
| Rooftop areas | - | Shielded beyond edge |
| State policy | - | HRS 201-8.5 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
Do residential homes in Aina Haina need full cut-off lighting?
LUO 21-4.100 targets commercial, industrial, and recreational development. Single-family residential fixtures are not directly regulated, but light trespass rules still apply.
Are rooftop bars in Hawaii Kai regulated?
Yes. Non-enclosed rooftop gathering spaces must shield lighting to eliminate illumination beyond the rooftop, protecting neighboring residential views.
What is a full cut-off fixture?
A fixture designed so no light is emitted above horizontal, directing all output downward. This is the standard required by ROH 21-4.100.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
Do Honolulu rooftop bars need special lighting?
Yes. Non-enclosed rooftop gathering areas must be shielded under LUO 21-4.100 so that direct illumination does not extend beyond the rooftop edge.
Does the dark-sky rule apply to my house?
LUO 21-4.100 targets commercial, industrial, and outdoor-recreational development. Residential lighting is addressed through nuisance rules and spillover prohibitions.
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