Changing-Direction “Satellites” Over Hawaii
Date/Time: November 1997, around 9 PM
Location: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Conditions: Clear
Back in 1997, while living on Maui, I had an unforgettable sighting—my second notable encounter after the black triangle incident in ’04. My friends and I would often unwind on bamboo mats after work, gazing at the night sky. At that time, Comet Hale-Bopp was brilliantly visible on the western horizon, lighting up the clear Hawaiian skies. One night, while we were scanning for satellites, I pointed out three lights that were unusually close together. My friends quickly spotted them as well.
These lights were moving at the typical “satellite speed,” but seeing three in such close proximity was highly unusual (this was long before Starlink, mind you). Suddenly, we all exclaimed, “What the heck?!” simultaneously as all three lights executed a perfect right-angle turn together, changing their course in unison. Just moments before, we had watched a satellite travel from horizon to horizon, so we knew what we were observing. The trio continued on their new trajectory until they vanished from our view.
I’m curious if anyone else from Hawaii has witnessed something similar. The clear night skies here provide an amazing backdrop for stargazing!
That sounds like an incredible experience! I’ve read about similar sightings where multiple objects change direction simultaneously, and it really raises questions about what they could be. It’s fascinating that you were able to see them shift in unison like that, especially since you and your friends were familiar with satellites and their behavior.
Hawaii’s clear skies are ideal for stargazing, and it must have been quite a sight with Hale-Bopp lighting up the horizon. If anyone else from Hawaii experienced something similar, it would be interesting to hear their stories as well. Have you looked into any possible explanations for what you saw, or has anyone suggested any theories?