Hawaii County, HI Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

The article defines a "fully shielded" fixture as one built so all light is projected below the horizontal plane of its lowest point, and "partially shielded" as at least ninety percent projected below that plane (Section 14-51). Table 14-A in Section 14-55 sets the real standard by lamp class: Class I fixtures need full shielding with no curfew; Class II low-pressure sodium lights over 90 watts need partial shielding, and new low-pressure sodium installations were barred as of October 2010; any fixture above 4,050 lumens in Class II or III must be fully shielded and switched off from 11:00 p.m. to sunrise unless a bona fide business or recreational activity is under way.

Mercury vapor lamps cannot be installed new or used as replacements, and every mercury vapor fixture already in place had to be removed by August 17, 1998 (Section 14-52). Section 14-53 exempts fixtures installed and legally approved before September 1, 1988, fossil-fuel flame lighting, low-wattage holiday displays, fully shielded residential incandescent lights under 8,100 lumens per illuminated acre, internally lit translucent business signs (which still keep Class I hours), searchlights limited to 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and required emergency lighting. Anyone installing a nonexempt fixture must submit site plans, fixture locations and manufacturer's cut sheets to the building official under Section 14-54, who may approve an alternate design only if it is at least equivalent to the article's requirements and meets its intent.