Bats in Hawaii: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

The Hawaiian hoary bat favors lowland and montane forests, but also hunts over open areas like pastures, golf courses, and coastal wetlands. On Kauai, try Kokeʻe State Park; on Oahu, the North Shore and Kaʻena Point; on Hawaii Island, Volcanoes National Park and the Hamakua Coast. Look for bats emerging just after sunset along tree lines or over water.

In Hawaii, bats sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Dusk is the prime window. Bats leave their roosts about 15-30 minutes after sunset to feed on insects. Dawn returns can also be productive, especially near roosting trees. On overcast evenings, they sometimes emerge earlier. Crepuscular activity peaks during the warmer months (May-October) when insect prey is abundant.

This bat is small (wingspan ~10-13 inches) with a frosted, silvery-brown coat. Its ears are rounded and edged with black, and the tail membrane is fully furred. In flight, look for erratic, moth-like movements and a relatively slow wing beat (about 10-12 beats per second). It is Hawaii’s only native land mammal, so any bat you see here is this species.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Kauai and Hawaii Island have the highest reported sightings. On Maui, look around the Upcountry region; on Molokai and Lanai, bats are less common but present. Oahu’s urban parks and valleys see regular sightings. The key is open habitat near water or agriculture. Check our Hawaii wildlife hub for island-specific tips.

Look for guano (small, dark, crumbly droppings) under potential roost trees such as old koa, eucalyptus, or palms. Bats favor dead or dying trees with peeling bark for roosting. Listen for high-pitched social calls at dusk, which sound like rapid clicks. You may also see bats drinking at the surface of ponds or streams in low light.