Daylight Saving Time will end soon but there will be no change here in Hawaii. Why? Read on and also find out what Benjamin Franklin has to do with this.
Hawaii gave DST a try back in 1933 for three short weeks. No one even seems to know why we ever tried it. It was in effect once again during World War II when it was called Hawaiian War Time. Hawaii officially opted out of the Uniform Time Act in 1967.
With our tropical location, daylight savings is not necessary. We’re closer to the equator than the mainland so there’s less of a difference in the amount of daylight between seasons.
When you’re visiting or calling to Hawaii from November 5 until next Spring, remember that Hawaii will be only two hours earlier than west coast. Somehow this one hour time difference in winter makes us feel a little bit closer to the US Mainland.
How do you like my Hawaii time watch?
History of Daylight Saving Time
Often mistakenly called “daylight savings time,” this practice was created to make daylight extend further into summer evenings, while creating darker mornings. First proposed by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700’s in an essay for Paris. The first national implementation however, was in Germany in 1916.
Daylight Saving Time Today
It remains a wide-scale global practice to this day, albeit under different names like Summer Time. About half of the world still observes this annual shift in time. It remains somewhat confusing, with our needing to remember those places that practice it and others that do not. Most of the US observes DST, except Hawaii and Arizona (although the Navajo tribal lands do), plus Guam, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
John A says
hi, as far as I’m concerned amongst others in the world and also here in Alberta Canada, it’s a (“waste” of “Time”) it serves no purpose- none whatsoever to keep switching, it may have been fine when WW1 and WW2 due to the factories retooling for weopons, alot of people say “oh it was for the farmers” “to bring in or plant their crops? that is BS, they were up early/late regardless! …i say as do much of the free world “pick a :30 minute point and leave it there ..for good! No switching back either! anyone who complains is a Jamtart!!
Linda P says
Hi, I’m planning on a cruise to Hawaii in April 2018. I think I like to do a straight flight or a short layover on the same day as my cruise leaves, what is the latest time I should arrive to Honolulu airport? I will be flying from Dulles airport.
This is my first cruise and first time to Hawaii so I appreciate if you could help me out.
Thank you so much,
Linda
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Linda.
The first flight arriving from DFW is after 12 noon. That should work fine, normally. Having just had a flight delay due to mechanical ourselves, we can attest to what an issue it becomes when these things happen. Thus you could miss your cruise departure. So we’d suggest arriving at least one day before. Besides you can enjoy Honolulu for a day or even a number of days. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Trasea says
DST doesn’t seem to be a necessary practice anymore. But I’m glad Hawaii feels closer to the mainland during its observance. Because of DST, I have a different birthday and zodiac sign! Ha, I’m a cuspie born near midnight. But I’m always on “Island Time.” 🙂 Aloha
SMM says
Not only does going off DST make you feel closer to the mainland, it definitely makes us on the mainland feel closer to paradise. Heading your way soon.