Hawai'i County has a real dark-sky ordinance (HCC Chapter 14) protecting the Mauna Kea observatories. It requires shielded outdoor fixtures, restricts lamp types, and mandates that low-pressure sodium be the only source for Class II outdoor lighting island-wide.
Chapter 14 of the Hawai'i County Code applies to the installation of all outdoor lighting fixtures in the County, specifically to reduce light pollution over the Mauna Kea astronomy sites. Section 14-52(a) provides that 'Low pressure sodium lamps shall be the only light source permitted for all Class II type outdoor light fixtures.' Section 14-52(d) bars mercury-vapor lamps for any new installation or replacement. Section 14-52(b) requires that 'All outdoor lights shall be shielded pursuant to the requirements set forth in Table 14-A,' and 14-52(c) subjects fixtures to hours-of-operation limits, with certain lights required off from 11:00 p.m. to sunrise unless bona fide business or recreational activity is occurring.
Section 14-55.1: any person violating the article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Hawaii County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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