Chasing the Sun

Okay, let's talk about the main event. People travel from all over the world to see a Hawaiian sunset, and Anaehoʻomalu Bay consistently ranks as one of the best stages on the Big Island for this daily spectacle. It's more than just a sunset. It's an event. The sky puts on a show, and A-Bay provides the perfect front-row seat. I've spent countless evenings here with my camera, and I'm going to share everything I know to help you capture that perfect shot, whether you're using a professional camera or just the phone in your pocket.

Why A-Bay Sunsets are a Photographer's Dream

What makes this spot so special? It's the combination of incredible natural elements that all come together in one frame. You have the iconic, graceful silhouettes of the coconut palms. You have the ancient Kuʻualiʻi fishpond, which on a calm evening acts like a perfect mirror, reflecting all the sky's drama and doubling the color. You have the gentle curve of the bay itself, often with sailboats or outrigger canoes resting at anchor, adding a sense of story and scale. And if you're really lucky, you might even witness the legendary "green flash," a fleeting burst of green light right as the sun dips below the horizon. All these ingredients make A-Bay a photographer's paradise.

Finding Your Vantage Point: Three Classic A-Bay Shots

Where you stand makes all the difference. Here are my three go-to spots for three very different kinds of sunset photos:

Essential Photography Techniques

Composition is Key: Think about the Rule of Thirds. Instead of putting the horizon right in the middle of your photo, place it on the top or bottom third line. Use the trunks of the palm trees to create natural frames on the sides of your image. Look for leading lines—like the curve of the shoreline or the edge of the fishpond wall—to draw the viewer's eye into the picture.

Expose for the Sky: Here's the most important tip for getting those amazing, vibrant colors. Your camera wants to make everything evenly lit, but that will wash out the sunset. You need to tell it that the sky is the star. On a smartphone, it's easy: just tap your finger on the brightest part of the sky in your frame. You'll see a little sun icon appear. Now, slide that icon down just a little bit. This tells the camera to underexpose the photo. The foreground (like the palm trees) will turn into a dark silhouette, but the colors in the sky will become deep, rich, and saturated.

Create a "Sunstar": Want that cool effect where the sun looks like a multi-pointed star? It's easier than you think. Wait for the moment when the sun is just partially hidden by the horizon, a cloud, or even the trunk of a palm tree. On a dedicated camera, set your aperture to a high number, like f/16. This narrow opening will bend the light and create that sharp, beautiful starburst effect.

Don't Leave Early! This is the mistake almost everyone makes. They pack up as soon as the sun disappears below the horizon. Big mistake! The show is just getting started. The 15-20 minutes after the sun has set is called the "afterglow" or the "second sunset." This is often when the most spectacular colors appear, as the light from the sun, now far below the horizon, reflects off the high clouds, painting the entire sky in unbelievable shades of pink, purple, and deep orange. Be patient and wait for it.