If you happen to be walking around Hawaii midday in late May or mid-to-late July, you might notice something missing. Specifically: shadows.

That’s because during this time, known to locals as Lahaina Noon, the sun appears to sit directly overhead, causing vertical objects like flagpoles and people to cast no visible shadow.

This “Zero Shadow Day” is deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture. Historically, Native Hawaiians referred to this moment as kau ka lā i ka lolo, which translates to “the sun rests upon the brain.” The term Lāhainā Noon (meaning “cruel sun”) is a modern moniker, coined by Hawaii’s Bishop Museum during the ‘90s. 

How Hawaii commemorates Lāhainā Noon 

There are often activities held around the event. One is held near a giant, bendy sculpture named Sky Gate (created by artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi). While most items have no shadow during Lāhainā Noon, this fixture casts a perfect circular shadow on the ground.........

© Upworthy