Short answer
Good places to paint plein air in Hawaii include Hanauma Bay Overlook, Kuloa Point, Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), Waimea Canyon Lookout, Hanapepe Town and Swinging Bridge, Lana'i Lookout, Wailua Falls, Kalalau Lookout (Pu'u o Kila) and Byodo-In Temple. PleinScout lists 50 spots in Hawaii, each with parking, shade, restrooms and when the light is best. Always check current hours, fees and rules before you go.
These are places painters set up in Hawaii, grouped by subject. Each one notes the things that decide whether a session works: where to park, whether there's shade, a restroom nearby, and when the light is best. The full map, with directions and spots added by local painters, is in the free PleinScout app.
Coast, beaches and harbors
Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument
A historic, cliff-backed bay on the Kona coast where Captain Cook landed. Deep blue water and steep pali make a serene subject.
Captain Cook · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Haleiwa Town and Harbor
The historic heart of Oahu's North Shore surf culture, with a charming harbor and the landmark Rainbow Bridge.
Haleiwa · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Waimea Bay (North Shore)
An iconic North Shore bay, tranquil in summer and thunderous in winter. Dramatic surf and a classic island setting.
Haleiwa · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach
A dramatic black-sand beach on Maui's remote Hana coast with lava formations. Bold color contrasts reward oil and watercolor alike.
Hana · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Non-resident reservation includes entry and parking; book in advance. · Easy
Hanalei Bay and Pier
A classic north-shore Kauai bay with a beloved pier set against dramatic green peaks. Endlessly paintable in any season.
Hanalei · Best light: golden hour · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
A north-shore Kauai reef beach beneath the green Makana peak. Turquoise lagoon and towering mountains make a lush subject.
Hanalei · Best light: afternoon · Parking: street · Shade: some · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Halona Blowhole and Cove
A southeast Oahu blowhole overlooking a tucked-away cove. Contrasting surf, sand, and black lava make a compact coastal subject.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Hanauma Bay Overlook
A protected volcanic bay on Oahu's southeast shore with brilliant reef colors seen from the rim. The overlook offers a superb elevated composition.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: paid · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Entry fee and parking fee to enter the preserve; the upper overlook can be viewed without descending. · Easy
Lana'i Lookout
A dramatic southeast-Oahu pullout revealing eroded, banded lava cliffs above pounding surf. Strong geological structure for landscape work.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head
The world-famous Honolulu beach framed by Diamond Head. Sunset paint-outs here are a Hawaii rite of passage.
Honolulu · Best light: sunset · Parking: paid · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Beach is free; nearby parking is paid garages and metered street. · Easy
Lanikai Beach and Mokulua Islands
A windward Oahu beach famed for its turquoise water and twin offshore islets. A jewel-toned subject best caught at sunrise.
Kailua · Best light: morning · Parking: street · Shade: some · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Kaunakakai Wharf
Molokai's main wharf and harbor, an unhurried working waterfront. Boats and channel views make an authentic, quiet subject.
Kaunakakai · Best light: golden hour · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Free · Easy
Keanae Peninsula
A rugged lava peninsula along the Road to Hana with taro fields and a historic church. Crashing surf on black rock is a powerful subject.
Keanae · Best light: morning · Parking: street · Shade: some · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Anini Beach
A calm, reef-protected north-shore Kauai beach with shady ironwoods. Tranquil glassy water for relaxed plein air sessions.
Kilauea · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Kilauea Lighthouse and Point
A picturesque lighthouse on a dramatic Kauai sea-cliff point teeming with seabirds. Strong focal architecture over blue ocean.
Kilauea · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · Wildlife refuge entry fee; closed some days, check schedule. · Easy
Spouting Horn Blowhole
A south-shore Kauai blowhole on a rugged lava coast near Poipu. Energetic surf and spray make a dynamic coastal subject.
Koloa · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Honolua Bay
A protected northwest Maui bay framed by lush headlands. Calm summer water or dramatic winter surf depending on season.
Lahaina · Best light: morning · Parking: street · Shade: lots · Restrooms: no · Free · Moderate
Kapalua Bay
A sheltered northwest Maui bay framed by lava points and palms. A serene, jewel-toned beach subject in soft light.
Lahaina · Best light: golden hour · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Lahaina Front Street and Harbor
A historic West Maui harbor town facing neighbor islands across the channel. Verify current access given ongoing post-fire recovery.
Lahaina · Best light: sunset · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Hulopo'e Bay
Lanai's premier beach, a protected bay with clear water and tide pools. A tranquil, jewel-toned coastal subject.
Lanai City · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Sweetheart Rock (Pu'u Pehe)
An iconic red sea stack off Lanai's south point near Hulopoe Bay. A bold, isolated focal subject against blue water.
Lanai City · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · Free · Moderate
Papohaku Beach
A vast, uncrowded west-Molokai beach facing Oahu across the channel. Wide-open sand and sky for sweeping sunset compositions.
Maunaloa · Best light: sunset · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
A famous black-sand beach in the Ka'u district, fringed with palms and frequented by sea turtles. Striking dark-light contrast.
Naalehu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Wailea Beach with West Maui Mountains
A sunny south Maui beach with neighbor-island horizons and reliable sunsets. An easy, golden-light coastal subject.
Wailea · Best light: sunset · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Overlook
A breezy southeast Oahu point with a historic lighthouse and islet views. A bold blue-water coastal composition.
Waimanalo · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: no · Free · Moderate
Hapuna Beach
One of the Big Island's largest white-sand beaches on the sunny Kohala coast. A broad, bright, blue-and-gold subject.
Waimea · Best light: golden hour · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Non-resident entry and parking fees. · Easy
Lakes, rivers and waterfalls
Kuloa Point, Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
The famous tiered stream pools of Oheo Gulch in the Kipahulu district, tumbling to the ocean. A layered cascade against the wild coast.
Hana · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Covered by Haleakala National Park entry fee. · Moderate
Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)
An accessible, broad waterfall near Hilo famous for its morning rainbows. Lush and easy to paint from the overlook.
Hilo · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Akaka Falls
A towering rainforest waterfall on the Big Island's Hamakua coast. A lush, vertical jungle-waterfall subject.
Honomu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Non-resident entry and parking fees. · Easy
Wailua Falls
An easily accessible double waterfall near Lihue viewed from a roadside overlook. A lush, classic tropical waterfall scene.
Lihue · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Mountains, canyons and overlooks
Halawa Valley Overlook
A remote overlook into Molokai's lush Halawa Valley and its twin bays. An unspoiled, deeply green valley-and-coast subject.
Halawa · Best light: morning · Parking: street · Shade: some · Restrooms: no · Free · Moderate
Halape / Kona coast at Mauna Kea Observatories area
The high red-cinder slopes of Mauna Kea near the visitor station, often above the clouds. A stark, high-altitude volcanic palette.
Hilo · Best light: sunset · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · Free · Challenging
Waipi'o Valley Lookout
A breathtaking overlook into the 'Valley of the Kings' on the Hamakua coast. Layered green walls and a black-sand bay below.
Honokaa · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Diamond Head Lookout
A coastal lookout below Oahu's most famous landmark, with the lighthouse and surf breaks below. A quintessential Honolulu subject.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: street · Shade: none · Restrooms: no · Free · Easy
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
A historic clifftop lookout with a commanding windward Oahu panorama. The fluted Ko'olau cliffs are a spectacular subject.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: paid · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · Parking fee for non-residents; entry to lookout is free. · Easy
Kalaupapa Overlook (Pala'au State Park)
A forested overlook above Molokai's towering sea cliffs and the historic Kalaupapa peninsula. A dramatic, vertiginous coastal vista.
Kualapuu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Haleakala Summit Overlook
The summit of Maui's dormant volcano, overlooking a Mars-like crater above the clouds. A surreal, high-altitude landscape subject.
Kula · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · National Park entry fee; separate reservation needed for sunrise. · Moderate
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)
A surreal red-rock desert landscape on Lanai strewn with boulders. Glowing earth tones and stark forms shine at golden hour.
Lanai City · Best light: golden hour · Parking: none · Shade: none · Restrooms: no · Free · Moderate
Halema'uma'u Crater Overlook
An overlook of Kilauea's steaming caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Smoke, glow, and raw geology make a riveting subject.
Volcano · Best light: sunset · Parking: lot · Shade: none · Restrooms: yes · National Park entry fee; glow visible after dark during active phases. · Moderate
Iao Valley Needle
A sacred West Maui valley centered on the towering Iao Needle. Emerald cliffs and mist make a dramatic, atmospheric subject.
Wailuku · Best light: morning · Parking: paid · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Non-resident entry and parking reservation/fee required. · Easy
Kalalau Lookout (Pu'u o Kila)
A high overlook in Kokee State Park gazing into the legendary Kalalau Valley. Spectacular when clouds part to reveal the valley walls.
Waimea · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · Kokee/Waimea Canyon State Park non-resident entry and parking fees. · Moderate
Waimea Canyon Lookout
A roadside overlook in Waimea Canyon State Park revealing miles of vividly colored eroded gorge. One of the most painted vistas in Hawaii.
Waimea · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · State park entry and parking fees apply for non-residents; payable at lookout or via park system. · Easy
Towns, historic sites and gardens
Hanapepe Town and Swinging Bridge
Kauai's self-styled 'Biggest Little Town' with historic facades and a swaying river footbridge. Rich with character for street and architectural studies.
Hanapepe · Best light: afternoon · Parking: street · Shade: some · Free · Easy
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
A large oceanfront Japanese garden in Hilo with bridges, lanterns, and bay views. Tranquil reflections ideal for quiet studies.
Hilo · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Kona Coffee Country (Holualoa)
A historic upcountry artist village in Kona's coffee belt with coastal views. Charming storefronts and rural farm scenery.
Holualoa · Best light: afternoon · Parking: street · Shade: some · Free · Easy
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge)
A sacred ancient place of refuge on the Kona coast with temple platforms and carved images. Rich cultural and coastal subjects.
Honaunau · Best light: afternoon · Parking: lot · Shade: some · Restrooms: yes · National Park entry fee per person/vehicle. · Easy
Foster Botanical Garden
Honolulu's oldest botanical garden, a shaded sanctuary of monumental trees and tropical plants. Ideal for detailed foliage work.
Honolulu · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Small admission to the city botanical garden. · Easy
Iolani Palace
Hawaii's historic royal palace in downtown Honolulu, set among grand trees and lawns. A distinguished architectural subject.
Honolulu · Best light: afternoon · Parking: paid · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Free · Easy
Byodo-In Temple
A serene Japanese temple in Kaneohe set against the dramatic Ko'olau Range. Bridges, ponds, and architecture make rich subjects.
Kaneohe · Best light: morning · Parking: lot · Shade: lots · Restrooms: yes · Small per-person admission to the Valley of the Temples grounds. · Easy
Paia Town
A historic, colorful surf town on Maui's north shore. Vibrant storefronts make lively street and architectural studies.
Paia · Best light: afternoon · Parking: street · Shade: some · Free · Easy
Run a plein air group or sketch chapter in Hawaii? Get it listed free, with a link to your page.
Find more spots in Hawaii
Painters add new spots to PleinScout every week, with photos, parking and the light. Get the free app to see them on the map, or find a paint-out near you.
Hours, fees and rules change. Always check with the park or venue before you go.