Imagine a place where you see colourful rainbows in the sky all the time. In Hawaii, this is a regular sight, so much so that it’s called the "rainbow capital of the world." Hawaii has perfect weather for rainbows: sunny days, some rain showers, and clean air that helps the colours stand out.

Right now, Hawaii is in its winter rainy season, which means there are even more chances to see rainbows. But in Hawaii, rainbows are not just pretty to look at—they are an important part of the culture and history. You can find rainbows everywhere in Hawaii, from car licence plates to buildings and even sports team names.

Why does Hawaii have so many rainbows?

Rainbows happen when sunlight shines through raindrops and breaks into different colors. The brightness of a rainbow depends on how strong the sunlight is. The best time to see one is when it's both sunny and rainy. Rainbows appear in the sky opposite the sun, and they look bigger when the sun is lower, like in the morning or late afternoon.

Hawaii’s weather is special. The islands get steady winds that bring short rain showers, but there’s still lots of sunshine between the rain. This makes it a great place for rainbows. Hawaii also has very clean air, unlike other places where dust, pollution, and pollen can make the sky look blurry. Because of this, rainbows in Hawaii look brighter and clearer.

Steven Businger, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, explains that “Hawaii has maybe the best rainbows on the planet.” He even created an app called RainbowChase to help people find rainbows in Hawaii.

The meaning of rainbows in Hawaiian culture

In Hawaii, rainbows are not just pretty to look at; they have a special meaning in the culture. In Native Hawaiian traditions, rainbows are seen as signs of powerful or magical forces. Sam 'Ohu Gon III, a cultural expert in Hawaii, says that rainbows are linked to the god Kāne, one of the four main Hawaiian gods. According to old beliefs, seeing a rainbow nearby could mean that a strong force or an important person is close.

There are many Hawaiian stories about rainbows. In one old legend, a rainbow stays over the home of a Hawaiian princess for four days. Later, when a strong man comes to visit her, another rainbow appears over the ocean. These stories show how rainbows have always been part of Hawaiian culture and beliefs.

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, sees rainbows as signs of “aumakua,” or deified ancestors. She believes that when someone passes away, they may show their presence through a rainbow. “The rainbow is one of those ways,” she says. Seeing a rainbow makes her feel loved and protected by her ancestors.

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Rainbows in Hawaiian life

In Hawaii, rainbows are everywhere. You can see them on buildings, buses, and even on car license plates. They are a symbol of life in Hawaii, representing beauty, hope, and new starts.

Hawaii’s sports teams are also named after rainbows. The University of Hawaii's men's sports teams are called the Rainbow Warriors, and the women's teams are called the Rainbow Wahine (Wahine means women in Hawaiian). Locals often call them the ‘Bows.

The link between rainbows and Hawaii's sports teams started in 1924. On New Year's Day, Hawaii was playing a football game against the Oregon Aggies. The score was tied with no points when a rainbow appeared over the field. After that, Hawaii scored and won the game. From then on, the team was called the Rainbows.

In 2000, the football team removed “Rainbow” from its name, as a coach felt it carried a certain “stigma” due to its association with the LGBTQ+ community. However, in 2013, the school decided to restore the name, recognising its historical and cultural importance.

Will climate change affect Hawaii’s rainbows?

Kimberly Carlson, a former professor at the University of Hawaii, once looked out her window and saw a rainbow. It made her wonder how climate change might affect these natural wonders.

Now a professor at New York University, Carlson and her team studied the impact of climate change on rainbows over the next century. Their findings show that some places, like Brazil, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central Africa, will likely see fewer rainbows by the year 2100. However, places that currently get a lot of snow but will experience more rain in the future, like Alaska, may see more rainbows.

In Hawaii, rainbows will still be common. However, climate change may cause longer dry periods, leading to fewer rainbows in some areas, especially on the drier, leeward sides of the islands. Steven Businger, the atmospheric sciences professor, predicts that Maui and the Big Island may be particularly affected.

Why rainbows matter

Rainbows are more than just a beautiful sight; they are a cultural symbol, a source of inspiration, and a reminder to live in the moment. Businger believes that “rainbows are a cultural touchstone for us. They cause us to stand still and, for a moment, forget about the past and the future.” In today's fast-paced world, taking a moment to appreciate a rainbow can be a rare and special experience.

For many people in Hawaii, rainbows represent hope and new beginnings. Liane Usher, president of the Children's Discovery Centre in Honolulu, says, “I can’t ever help but smile whenever I see a rainbow after the rain.”

So if you ever visit Hawaii, keep an eye on the sky. You just might catch a glimpse of one of nature’s most magical creations—a rainbow.

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