Taken by Kris Nelson on August 27th, 2011.

Location: Hyatt Regency Maui, Ka’anapali, West Maui.

Photo Story

Last weekend, our ‘ohana was visiting our 2nd favorite travel destination, Door County, Wisconsin, for our last vacation of the year. We were with my wife’s family – who are also huge Maui fans, by the way – and we spent one night that weekend shooting star trails in the state park.

As we talked, we began comparing the stargazing conditions we had that night in northeastern Wisconsin to those we’d seen in Maui on our many trips before. And that discussion brought me back to this photo here.

Family Star Portrait

You may have seen this week’s Sunday Photo if you were following along on our last trip journal entries. It was from the last Saturday night of our Maui trip this year, and I spoke about the significance of sitting under the stars with my son. Also, if you read that journal entry and saw this photo before, you’ll also notice this one is a much nicer, newly edited version.

How They Compare

You’d think it wouldn’t be a fair fight between Hawaii and the Midwest in terms of comparing stargazing conditions. Any you’re probably right, but it usually depends on a few factors.

For example, in more developed places like Ka’anapali or Kihei, there can be more surrounding light pollution from resorts and buildings that would damper your ideal gazing conditions. Being able to lay on a beach towel and listen to the ocean, however, can more than make up for that, though.

There’s also the occasional vog or clouds off the mountains depending on which way the winds are blowing, too. Much of this can be averted, however, by getting up high. Like really high. As in, being up at the Hakeakala summit at night or camping out in the crater. On my bucket list, for sure.

So then, how about where we were last week in Wisconsin?

I’d have to say, from the time we’ve spent up there as well, the completely dark sky and surroundings we had last weekend seemed to be on the less frequent side. Not much of the area we stay at is very developed at all (as evidence of driving the unlit roads at 5:30am to the coast for the sunrise. It’s also a peninsula, with Green Bay to the west and Lake Michigan to the east. So, depending on the time of year, the weather patterns off either body of water can cloud up an otherwise clear sky in the matter of hours. That kinda closes your window of opportunity before it really opens wide enough.

More Maui Stargazing

Awhile back, I posted a Travel Traditions series at the blog, with one of my favorite entries being the stargazing post. While some of our trips have been busying than others, I always try to get out at least one night for a little shooting at night.

I had also started a Stars Over Hawaii group on Flickr for anyone that wanted to view more, or share their own photos the night sky above the Hawaiian islands.

And as always, if you wanted to Talk Story about your own stargazing experiences or tips while visiting Maui or the other islands, leave a comment below.

Mahalo, – Kris