Light pollution is the presence of unwanted artificial light that brightens the night sky. Improperly shielded lights are the source of many of the issues regarding the light pollution in Hawaii. Urban centers in the cities are often so bathed in light that over a hundred kilometers from the city's edge, the light pollution resulting from the glow is present. Fabio Falchi is quoted as stating that "light pollution is one of the most pervasive forms of environmental alteration" due to its destructive nature in both un- and protected areas such as national parks. Dark night skies are an important natural, cultural, scientific, educational, and economic resource for Hawaii. One of the major cultural importance of the night sky is its use as a guide for Polynesians who first travelled to the islands, allowing tourists and native residents to connect with their history. Light pollution may also affect the cultural celebration of Makahiki – the start of the Hawaiian New Year – which relies on the movement of the stars.
Effects
Effects on the economy The night sky has a significant economic impact on the islands of Hawaiʻi. The University of Hawaiʻi notes that 1,313 residents were employed in the astronomy sector, and $221 billion in total revenue was generated in 2019. This sector, however, is not directly linked to the tourist industry. While this sector is noted as sustainable, the necessary infrastructure and research techniques employed are opposed to by many native Hawaiians. The Mauna Kea Observatory is located on sacred land protected by the Historical Preservation Act, and its night sky – noted by some to be one of the clearest on the island – has become notably disrupted by the light pollution found in primarily urban and economic sectors. Efforts to minimise the effects of light pollution within the state in order to protect the night sky have been ongoing. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs established a dark skies protection committee in 2017 in order to mediate the amount of light pollution present, primarily surrounding Maui and Honolulu. In 2022, Maui released a bill detailing increased regulation and energy conservation regarding light pollution on the island. Prior to this bill, the island had been noted as having lax lighting regulations and enforcement. Despite these legal actions, Richard F. Green notes that efforts worldwide towards light pollution "concentrate on individual fixtures or at most, individual parcels of land, rather than the summed regional impact on observatories for which the effect of mitigation attempts is most relevant." This, alongside his concern about efforts focusing on minimising impact without considering what is acceptable, may influence future perspectives on the issue.
Effects on the population Light pollution has many effects on the local population. Of these, one of the most notable is the connection between major contributions to light pollution and the historical and current oppression faced by native Hawaiian communities. The organised efforts against infrastructure such as the Mauna Kea and other observatories highlights a trend of hostile takeover of land for use in cities or tourist centres. As Haunani-Kay Trask notes, "Th[e] diminution of Federal oversight meant that Hawaiians had no judicial recourse to prevent abuse of their trust lands by the State." Through this support of the state over local populations, the centres most responsible for the current light pollution crisis were developed and disputes ignored. Light pollution also has linked health complications, such as being unable to sleep due to 'light trespass'. Excessive light in sleeping environments has recently been linked to increased rates of breast cancer in women. It also affects circadian rhythm, which controls many physiologic processes such as hormone production, cell regulation, and brainwave patterns. A disruption of the circadian rhythm is linked to health issues such as depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease and cancers. Retinal degeneration and accelerated genetic retinal disease are also speculated to be linked to increased exposure to excess illumination. Studies show that these effects are most prevalent in large cities due to the volume of artificial lighting present. Sterling Hega states that due to this, "homeless people living on the streets are among those most affected by light pollution." While noting that no conclusive studies have been done on homeless populations 'due to logistical and ethical concerns', testing from lab settings under similar conditions faced by individuals were shown to exhibit negative responses (such as insomnia) after just a few hours of exposure to high blue-content LED lighting.
Effects on astronomy The dark night sky has a scientific importance for astronomy research and viewing. Urban sky glow is taking away the view of the stars and night sky that was so common to the ancestors of the land. In the city of Honolulu, only about 20 stars can be seen on the nightly, and in places with a dark night sky, up to 2,000 stars can be seen nightly. Hawaiʻi has two major astronomical observatories and the dark sky is immensely important for the telescopes to be able to see faint objects in space. The dark night sky over the island of Hawaiʻi, is a known tourist attraction with over 100,000 visitors every year. The visitors come to watch the night sky and participate in the stargazing program at the Mauna Kea Observatory. Mauna Kea's sky is one of the darkest in the world.
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