Being on the western side of the island, we get all the sunsets. The sunrises on the other side of Haleakala, so we only get the morning light once the sun is well up in the sky. but the evenings can be glorious. I'm actually surprised that the island doesn't tip to one side each evening since nearly every one seems to flock to the beach on foot and by car to watch the daily astronomical spectacle.
The daily pattern is that the clouds slowly build throughout the day and peak cloud cover (which is still not usually much) is often just before sunset because the air has been heated all day. Then, overnight, as things cool off, the clouds dissipate and the cycle begins again the next day with starry skies and no clouds.
As the sun dips closer to the horizon, the bottom sides of the clouds are lit bringing an new range of colors to the sky.
As you can see, this afternoon is quite calm with a pretty flat sea surface to reflect the golden light of the sun.
And with the distant clouds partially masking the sun as it crosses the horizon, we bid adieu to another day in paradise. Sitting comfortably in shorts and T-shirt in February watching the sun bring another day to a successful conclusion ... this must be close to paradise for anyone raised in the northern hemisphere.
I'm quite sure that the reasons for making Hawaii a state were geopolitical and economic but I'm sure that in the back of the minds of the politicians at the time were moments like these.
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