When Science And Tradition Combine, Assuring Hawaii Is The Best Home For The Rainbow
JAKARTA - Atmospheric Scientist from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Steven Businger said that Hawaii is the best place on earth to enjoy the rainbow as outlined in his latest publication.
"The importance of the rainbow culture is reflected in the Hawaiian language," said Steven Businger who has many words and phrases to describe the variety of manifestations in Hawaii, reports Euronews.
Located in the subtropical Pacific, Hawaii has sufficient rainfall, sunshine and wind to produce rainbow formations. Breakfast time is said to be the best time to see rainbows in Hawaii.
In his paper, Businger outlines four additional factors that influence the prevalence of rainbows across the island, which is this state of the United States of America.
"At night, warm sea level heats the atmosphere from below, while radiation into space cools the cloud tops, resulting in deeper rain in the morning that produces rainbows at breakfast," Businger explains.
Apart from atmospheric factors, there are also geographical factors. The Hawaiian Mountains cause wind currents to be pushed upwards, forming clouds and producing rainfall. Without mountains, Hawaii would be a desert with an annual rainfall of less than 17 inches.
The third factor conducive to the appearance of a rainbow is daylight heating, which encourages island-scale circulation. During periods of lighter winds, heavy rain forms on the tops of the ridges above Oahu and Kauai in the afternoon, producing beautiful rainbows as the sun sets.
Due to the remoteness of the Hawaiian Islands, the air is very clean and free of pollution, continental dust and pollen. This is the fourth factor that contributes to many bright rainbows with a full spectrum of colors.
Hawaii is actually known as the country of the rainbow. In traditional mythology, rainbows are an important element of god-based island stories.
Throughout the island, rainbows are called aneune after the goddess Aneune. Aneune uses the rainbow as a path between heaven and earth, in her role as a messenger between humans and the gods.
The rainbow is also the way for the dead to go to heaven. In Businger's paper, he analyzes how rainbows have become an important part of Hawaiian culture.
Where can you see the best rainbows in Hawaii? There are several spots around Hawaii that are best suited for rainbow spotting.
First, Oahu. Referred to as a gathering place and home to the state capital of Honolulu, Oahu has been known to see multiple rainbows at a time, and even a lunar rainbow, a night rainbow that uses light from the moon instead of the sun.
Next is Kauai. Experiences more rain than any other island, making Kauai ideal for rainbow formations. Fishermen in this section reported seeing rainbows rising from the sea.