Most islands are dark at night, and you’re not supposed to be there.

No. Unless you’re in a resort or town, the islands go properly dark after sunset — which is part of the point. As for nighttime visiting: most parks, trails, and conservation areas close at dusk. Trespassing after dark is usually illegal (and stupid unless you know the terrain).

I’m assuming you mean the Hawaiian Islands or similar populated tropical islands. In the built-up areas, there are streetlights and hotel glow. But get five minutes away from the strip and it’s genuinely dark — the kind of dark where you can see the Milky Way. That’s intentional. Light pollution is minimal for wildlife and stargazing.

Night hiking is sometimes allowed on designated trails with a permit (