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Weather in Hawaii

perktd

TUG Member
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Oregon
I frequently reads threads regarding the weather in Hawaii at various times of year and locations including 2 this month for the Big Island so I thought it might be helpful to make some general observations from living in Hawaii for a few years and vacationing there a lot for over 20 years. Number one is almost anyone used to mainland weather reports will have a hard time appreciating how much Hawaii weather can vary in a short distance. Weather reports can be accurate for a general area, but they never reflect what is happening to the nearest mile or two which often matters-a lot. Where you are on an island and how high can make a huge difference. For example, you can look at the weather forecast for Kona and see a 50% chance of rain. What is very likely to occur is sunshine and zero rain downtown Kona and the beach all day, but several hours of mist or rain at 2,000 feet elevation just two miles away. Another example is this past January on the Big Island. There is a discussion string below discussing extreme rain and flooding in the Hilo area early in January. I was in the Kona area from January 4th through the 18th and the weather was sunny and wonderful there the entire time Hilo was in distress. At the same time there were very strong winds many days in the Waikoloa area 30 miles to the north. Then I moved to the Waikoloa area for about two weeks and had superb weather with sunshine and gentle breezes almost all the time. Generally, if it is windy in Waikoloa it will be gentle breezes in Kona. If its windy in Kona it will probably be gentle breezes in Waikoloa. Only rarely is the weather bad everywhere on any of the islands, but it does happen.

Number two rule is the main time you notice the heat and humidity is when the breezes die down and you are at sea level. Temperatures are higher in the summer and late fall, but usually only 5 or 6 degrees. Nights can be cooler in the winter months, but again only by a small amount. The winds are usually present, but can die down for a couple of days to even a couple of weeks. Periods of calm seem to be more frequent in the summer or fall. Altitude can make a huge difference in temperature too. I was playing golf in Waikoloa this January in mid-80s temperatures in plain view of snow on top of Mauna Kea 10 to 15 miles away. Again, if you don't like the weather just move a little either to change position on the island or altitude. Five miles may make a world of difference or it might take fifty, but don't assume you are stuck with weather you don't like without checking for alternatives for the day.

Every island has wetter areas and drier areas and you should know where they are before you book accommodations. Each area has its appeal and there is no right or wrong. Just better fits for what you want.
Don't stay in Hanalei on Kauai if all you plan to do is lay in the sun on the beach and bake. Do stay in Hanalei if you want beautiful lush green scenery and a quiet atmosphere plus some great beaches. The same type of decisions apply on all the islands.

For most people, your first trip will definitely not be your last as long as you get out and experience the island you are visiting. Where you will love the most is hard to predict, but the process of finding out is a lot of fun. I hope this will be helpful to those who have never visited Hawaii.
 

Tamaradarann

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
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Location
Honolulu, HI
Resorts Owned
HGVC Las Vegas, HGVC Las Vegas on the Strip, HGVC Sea World, Misner Place
I frequently reads threads regarding the weather in Hawaii at various times of year and locations including 2 this month for the Big Island so I thought it might be helpful to make some general observations from living in Hawaii for a few years and vacationing there a lot for over 20 years. Number one is almost anyone used to mainland weather reports will have a hard time appreciating how much Hawaii weather can vary in a short distance. Weather reports can be accurate for a general area, but they never reflect what is happening to the nearest mile or two which often matters-a lot. Where you are on an island and how high can make a huge difference. For example, you can look at the weather forecast for Kona and see a 50% chance of rain. What is very likely to occur is sunshine and zero rain downtown Kona and the beach all day, but several hours of mist or rain at 2,000 feet elevation just two miles away. Another example is this past January on the Big Island. There is a discussion string below discussing extreme rain and flooding in the Hilo area early in January. I was in the Kona area from January 4th through the 18th and the weather was sunny and wonderful there the entire time Hilo was in distress. At the same time there were very strong winds many days in the Waikoloa area 30 miles to the north. Then I moved to the Waikoloa area for about two weeks and had superb weather with sunshine and gentle breezes almost all the time. Generally, if it is windy in Waikoloa it will be gentle breezes in Kona. If its windy in Kona it will probably be gentle breezes in Waikoloa. Only rarely is the weather bad everywhere on any of the islands, but it does happen.

Number two rule is the main time you notice the heat and humidity is when the breezes die down and you are at sea level. Temperatures are higher in the summer and late fall, but usually only 5 or 6 degrees. Nights can be cooler in the winter months, but again only by a small amount. The winds are usually present, but can die down for a couple of days to even a couple of weeks. Periods of calm seem to be more frequent in the summer or fall. Altitude can make a huge difference in temperature too. I was playing golf in Waikoloa this January in mid-80s temperatures in plain view of snow on top of Mauna Kea 10 to 15 miles away. Again, if you don't like the weather just move a little either to change position on the island or altitude. Five miles may make a world of difference or it might take fifty, but don't assume you are stuck with weather you don't like without checking for alternatives for the day.

Every island has wetter areas and drier areas and you should know where they are before you book accommodations. Each area has its appeal and there is no right or wrong. Just better fits for what you want.
Don't stay in Hanalei on Kauai if all you plan to do is lay in the sun on the beach and bake. Do stay in Hanalei if you want beautiful lush green scenery and a quiet atmosphere plus some great beaches. The same type of decisions apply on all the islands.

For most people, your first trip will definitely not be your last as long as you get out and experience the island you are visiting. Where you will love the most is hard to predict, but the process of finding out is a lot of fun. I hope this will be helpful to those who have never visited Hawaii.

I agree with the comments here on the unpredictability of weather in Hawaii. We have been here for about 2 months now and have been happily and unhappily surprised by the difference in the weather reports versus the actually weather. There have been days when rain was predicted and we received none in Waikiki. We are on the other side of the mountains and rain coming from the East drops most of its precipitation on the East Side, North side or on the mountains. Other days there is a 0-10% chance of rain and we get a quick sprinkle or downfall for a minute or up to 15 minutes a few times a day. Sometimes we are ready to go our for a quick walking trip, since we don't have a car in this public transportation oriented city, and turn back and cancel the trip or go later.
 

Tamaradarann

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
3,631
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Honolulu, HI
Resorts Owned
HGVC Las Vegas, HGVC Las Vegas on the Strip, HGVC Sea World, Misner Place
I agree with the comments here on the unpredictability of weather in Hawaii. We have been here for about 2 months now and have been happily and unhappily surprised by the difference in the weather reports versus the actually weather. There have been days when rain was predicted and we received none in Waikiki. We are on the other side of the mountains and rain coming from the East drops most of its precipitation on the East Side, North side or on the mountains. Other days there is a 0-10% chance of rain and we get a quick sprinkle or downfall for a minute or up to 15 minutes a few times a day. Sometimes we are ready to go our for a quick walking trip, since we don't have a car in this public transportation oriented city, and turn back and cancel the trip or go later.

HOWEVER, we are not here for this winter or the past 11 winters because we don't like the weather. It is the best weather we have ever experienced. Like the weather man Guy Hagi says, it is the best weather on the planet. We are doing 5 months here this year and will be doing 8 months next year. The following year we may not leave at all.
 

geist1223

TUG Member
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May 20, 2015
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Location
Salem Oregon
Resorts Owned
Worldmark 97,000 Credits
DRI Cabo Azul 50,500
Royal Solaris San Jose del Cabo
Weather is a constant variable. We were on Maui 18 months ago in September. Had two Hurricanes that never came closer than a couple hundred miles but they still caused bad weather on Maui - winds and rough seas. The main thing for us is to have the trade winds blowing. It rapidly becomes hot and humid if the trades stop.
 
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