Although Hawaii and California are both part of the United States, they’re separated by thousands of miles of ocean. This means there’s a significant time difference between the two.
Here’s what you need to know about Hawaii time vs California time to make sure you don’t accidentally call someone in the middle of the night.
Hawaii time vs. California time, explained
It’s pretty simple. Hawaii is three hours behind California. So, if you’re noshing on a breakfast burrito in Los Angeles at noon, it’s 9 a.m. in Honolulu.
And even though California observes Daylight Saving Time during the spring and summer months, the three-hour difference stays the same. That’s because Hawaii doesn’t spring forward or fall back — it stays on Hawaii Standard Time (HST) year-round.
What’s the best time to communicate between Hawaii and California?
Because of the time difference, it’s important to consider the time when planning calls or meetings between Hawaii and California.
Calling from California to Hawaii
The best time to call Hawaii from California is between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM PST. This corresponds to 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Hawaii, so it overlaps with standard business hours.
A wider window of time would be 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM PST (7:00 AM to 11:00 PM HST).
Calling from Hawaii to California
The best time to call California from Hawaii is 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM HST. That’s 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM in California, which is well within California’s workday.
You could broaden that window to 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM HST (7:00 AM to 11:00 PM PST).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time will it be in Hawaii right now?
Since Hawaii doesn’t observe daylight saving time, figuring out the current time difference requires knowing what part of the year it is. From March to November, Hawaii is three hours behind California. From November to March, Hawaii is two hours behind California.
Is Hawaii always 3 hours behind California?
No, Hawaii is not always three hours behind California. During daylight saving time (typically March to November), Hawaii is three hours behind California. However, when daylight saving time is not in effect (November to March), Hawaii is only two hours behind California.
What state is 3 hours behind Hawaii?
Since Hawaii is the westernmost state that observes time and time zones, no state is three hours behind it. During Standard Time, Alaska is two hours behind Hawaii. During Daylight Savings, it’s only one hour behind.
What is the difference in time if you travel from California to Hawaii?
The time difference depends on the time of year. During daylight saving time (March to November), you’ll turn your clock back three hours when traveling from California to Hawaii. Outside of those months, you’ll only turn your clock back two hours.
In Closing
Remember, California is three hours ahead of Hawai’i. If you’re setting up a call or meeting, it’s worth double-checking the time!
An online time converter can help you find the right time in both locations, so you don’t accidentally schedule a call for 3 a.m. in Honolulu.
With a little planning, you can find the best time to connect and collaborate.