Owls in Hawaii in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Hawaii. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 57 of the 481 sightings logged across the year (11.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Peak month for owls in Hawaii
11.9%
of yearly sightings
57
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
481
verified records a year
April 6.9%, May 11.9%, June 6.9%. Busiest month is March at 13.5%.
481 verified observations of owls in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
65 records (13.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 44 | 9.1% |
| February | 41 | 8.5% |
| Marchpeak | 65 | 13.5% |
| April | 33 | 6.9% |
| Maypeak | 57 | 11.9% |
| June | 33 | 6.9% |
| July | 35 | 7.3% |
| August | 32 | 6.7% |
| September | 28 | 5.8% |
| October | 37 | 7.7% |
| November | 29 | 6% |
| Decemberpeak | 47 | 9.8% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Short-eared Owl | 396 |
| American Barn Owl | 84 |
In Hawaii, May carries 11.9% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (6.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Hawaii are Short-eared Owl and American Barn Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Short-eared Owl396 records
- American Barn Owl84 records
Plan your owl trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Hawaii.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Hawaii
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Hawaii in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 57 of the 481 verified owls sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 11.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Hawaii?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, May and December.
What month is best for owls in Hawaii?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, May and December, based on 481 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Short-eared Owl and American Barn Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Hawaii in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Hawaii