Maui Jim is known for making some of the best sunglasses for bright, colorful environments. Their Hawaii Lava lens stands out as one of the most versatile and impressive options available right now.
Check out the lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Maui Jim's website).
In This Review
Lens Specs | Maui Jim Hawaii Lava |
Technology | PolarizedPlus2 Color Boosting |
Lens Color | Bronze |
Mirror Color | Red |
VLT | SuperThin Glass ~12% (15% for gradient), MauiBrilliant ~13%, MauiPure ~14%, Category 3 |
ABBE | 58 in glass, 56 MauiBrilliant, 52 MauiPure |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Scratch-resistant, Oleophobic, Hydrophobic, UV, Infrared and Blue-light blocking |
Material | Glass, unspecified |
Weight | Moderate for glass, Light for others |
Scratch Resistance | High |
Prescription Available | Yes, in MauiBrilliant only |
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The clarity of Maui Jim's glass lenses is phenomenal. The non-glass MauiBrilliant and MauiPure are both excellent as well, just a step behind the glass.
Sometimes with Maui Jim, the different lens materials will render the same color lens differently. This is the case with the Hawaii Lava as we will see in the next section.
They are all around the same VLT. The MauiPure is slightly lighter if I had to pick one that was different, but all are comfortable in full sun.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes, in MauiBrilliant material only.
For non-prescription, Check out the Maui Jim Hawaii Lava lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Maui Jim's website).
How does the lens look?
The front has a striking red mirror. This is the most noticeable feature of this lens and is quite prominent. For some this is desirable, some people do not care, and for others, this is a deal breaker, as the red mirror is very sporty and doesn't work well dressed up.
The back has a green shine from the anti-reflective coating. The glass lens is sharper and greener than the MauiPure and MauiBrilliant. This review will stick to the glass lens, but keep in mind the Pure and Brilliant lenses will not look or act the same way, though they will be somewhat similar.
Normally a red mirror will reflect red light and cause a lens to be slightly more blue. In this case, since the underlying tint is bronze, which is a mix of red and green, the lens becomes more green, though still on the bronze spectrum, and definitely not a green lens.
The interesting renderings here are the MauiPure and MauiBrilliant, which have a sort of gradient tint to it, greenish amber on top and more brown on bottom.
Without a bright background, it still looks brown.
Compare this to the standard Maui Jim brown lens, the HCL Bronze. This is much redder, less green, and more saturated.
What does the view look like?
In general, adding some warmth to a lens can enhance the vibrancy and richness of the world around us. This is because blue light, which brown lenses filter more effectively than green or red light, is cooler and carries more energy. This excess blue light can overwhelm our vision, making it harder to perceive other colors clearly. By warming up the view, we not only improve color contrast but also boost our energy and mood, making everything appear more vivid and engaging.
The warm tint of this brown lens is impressive, but it’s the PolarizedPlus2 technology, enriched with rare earth elements to amplify reds, greens, and blues, that truly elevates it. The reduction of glare combined with enhanced colors is simply remarkable. Many people I have shown the Hawaii Lava lens outdoors are immediately captivated. It’s rare to find someone who isn’t impressed after experiencing it firsthand. If not for the red mirror, which personally doesn't work for me most of the time, I would wear this lens more than the HCL Bronze.
The brown tint of this lens is less saturated than the standard HCL Bronze lens, but is noticeably more brown than the Blue Hawaii lens, which has a slight amber effect due to the blue mirror. This makes the Hawaii Lava lens even more comfortable in full sun than a standard brown lens, while still excelling in overcast conditions.
No warming effect | Slight amber effect | Toned down bronze | Full bronze tint |
Neutral Grey | Blue Hawaii | Hawaii Lava | HCL Bronze |
Sunny Conditions
These photos are what Maui Jim and other sources have used to show the view. Keep in mind that photos will never look as good as the real view looking through the sunglasses with your own eyes.
Interested in experiencing the Hawaii Lava lens for yourself? Check it out on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Maui Jim's website).
I don't think either of these photos does a good job showing the view. The simulation on top is the same one they use for the HCL Bronze, but this lens is different. The second image makes the Hawaii Lava too dark and saturated.
The following two are from Maui Jim's HCL Bronze photos but are a good representation of what the Hawaii Lava lens looks like.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
The sky is still a nice blue and not heavily impacted by the brown lens, reds are more neutral but still boosted, and greens are bright. A very pleasant balance.
Cloudy Conditions
This lens performs exceptionally well in overcast conditions by enhancing colors to brighten and clarify the view. Unlike grey or green lenses, which can feel too dark or dull in low light, this lens brings a welcoming warmth and vibrancy, making the experience noticeably more enjoyable.
The glare is gone and the colors are still comfortably boosted. The view isn't bright like some other lighter browns, but it is clear, calm, and colorful. Even in darker conditions, it works well, as long as there is excess glare and haze. The colors become more saturated and warm.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
The Hawaii Lava lens is a fantastic all-around choice for a variety of lighting conditions. It performs exceptionally well in bright settings and is my go-to when I want a brown lens that enhances contrast and warmth. While it may not be the very best for overcast days, it comes close, offering great versatility across different environments.
I’ve found this lens particularly useful throughout spring, summer, and fall. In winter, when the scenery is less colorful, you might lean toward a rose-tinted lens for added vibrancy, but the Hawaii Lava still holds its own and works as well as most other lenses.
That said, in landscapes where reds dominate and greens are sparse, the lens can feel a bit too "warm" for my taste. It still performed admirably, but in those conditions, I found green or grey lenses to be more balanced and comfortable.
I have the Hawaii Lava in the Maui Jim Alenuihaha model, a great wrap frame that feels sturdy and well-balanced.
Sports
These lenses are an excellent choice for sports in both sunny and overcast conditions. They enhance color and contrast and provide a lively tint that supports visual clarity, comfort, and depth perception.
However, the glass version of these lenses should be avoided if there’s any risk of significant impacts during your activity, as glass is less impact-resistant than other materials. Additionally, skip this lens altogether if polarized lenses might interfere with your sport, such as when viewing LCD screens or specific surfaces.
For water sports, these lenses perform exceptionally well, and they’re a favorite among many for inshore fishing, thanks to their ability to enhance visibility and reduce glare.
Interested in experiencing the Maui Hawaii Lava lens for yourself? Click here to buy on Amazon.
Comparison to the same brand - Maui Jim
Maui Jim HCL Bronze
As the only other bronze-based Maui Jim lens, the closest lens to the Hawaii Lava is the HCL Bronze. There are a number of important distinctions. Firstly, the red mirror vs the bi-gradient gold mirror is an obvious aesthetic difference. Even on a visual level, some people prefer the solid mirror effect to the bi-gradient effect.
The HCL Bronze, though itself a more yellow-brown than most brown lenses out there, is a lot more red than the Hawaii Lava, which is due to the red mirror reflecting away red light. This makes the view "warmer" and more saturated. Both lenses really show off the color-boosting effect of the polarized plus 2 technology and both lenses are fantastic. I wear the HCL Bronze lens more frequently mostly due to the red mirror generally not working for me, but view-wise, it's a tossup for me which is better.
See here for the full Maui Jim HCL Bronze review.
Maui Jim Neutral Grey
The Neutral Grey lens is arguably the best grey lens available on the market with greens, reds, and blues all boosted with exceptional clarity. That feat is very hard to do on a grey lens as there is no natural color shift that a color tint would normally provide. Compared to the Hawaii Lava this lens is much more neutral and cool, and may be easier to wear in full sun for long periods because it does not feel as "hot". The grey lens performs very poorly in overcast conditions compared to the Hawaii Lava, and as such, is not as versatile.
See here for the full Maui Jim Neutral Grey review.
Maui Jim Blue Hawaii
The Blue Hawaii lens has a blue mirror that adds a level of warmth and amber color to the Neutral Grey lens. This brings it closer to the Hawaii Lava, but still nearer to the grey lens. A better overall lens for full sun, in my opinion, as the slightly added warmth is perfect without being too "hot", it does perform better than the grey in overcast, but still a far cry from the Hawaii Lava.
See here for the full Maui Jim Blue Hawaii review.
Comparison to Red Mirror Lenses of Different Brands
Oakley Prism Ruby Polarized
The Oakley Prism Ruby was one of my first color-enhancing lenses and did a lot to get me interested in the world of advanced optics. The red mirror effect on a bronze lens is almost the same as the Hawaii Lava. The PolarizedPlus2 technology is a step up on the Prism tech, with the colors being more real and pleasant. Glass vs polycarbonate is a noticeble difference as well. Maui Jim has every coating you could want but Oakley really lags in this category, having nothing more than the mirror coating on non-prescription lenses. The lack of anti-reflective coating isn't a big issue on the wrap frames though, which is common for Oakley. The Oakley mirror is also so scratch-prone that it is fragile, while the Maui Jim doesn't have encapsulated mirrors to be scratch-proof, but is still considerably better with a hard coat on it.
Island Optics Red Sunset Mirror
For a red mirror look but a grey lens view, the Island Optics Red Sunset is a good option. Its low price is great as well. The lens is polycarbonate and comes with anti-reflective, hydrophobic, Oeliophobic, and anti-scratch coatings.
Conclusion - Maui Jim Hawaii Lava Lens Review -Â Should you buy it?
The Maui Jim Hawaii Lava lens is a fantastic all-around performer. Its warm bronze tint, combined with PolarizedPlus2 technology, creates a viewing experience that's vibrant, rich, and immersive. Whether you're exploring sunny beaches or facing overcast skies, this lens adds life to your surroundings while keeping your vision clear and comfortable. Plus, the bold red mirror gives it a sporty, standout look that some will love.
In this Maui Jim Hawaii Lava Lens Review, we discussed what the lens looks like, what it does to exchange the view and best uses. If you're ready to see what the Hawaii Lava lens can do, check it out on Amazon—it’s often cheaper than buying directly from Maui Jim!
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