Given extenuating circumstances is one allowed to light Chanukah candles earlier then the shkiah?
Answer:
Yes, it is permitted to light candles from the time of Pelag Haminchah, where there is no choice. One must be careful to add enough oil to last half an hour past the time of lighting.
This can only be done when there is no way of lighting later, and there is nobody available to act as a shaliach to light at the right time.
Sources:
According to the Rambam, one may not light before shkiyah. The Orchos Chayim and the Kolbo write that one may light from the time of pelag haminchah, and this is mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch (672:1).
According to most acharonim, one can even recite a berachah (see Mishnah Berurah 3), though some write that a berachah should not be recited.
