| Yes, it is usually pretty balmy here in Hawaii, but are | | | | season", the rains are generally short lived, and |
| you prepared for all of the different weather that | | | | sunshine and blue skies return quickly.We call these |
| you will find in the islands?The weather can vary | | | | short, light showers "blessings." Sometimes you can't |
| greatly within a few miles. For instance, Mount | | | | even seem to find the clouds that are producing |
| Waialeale on Kauai is the wettest spot on earth with | | | | these "blessings", but if you look around you will |
| over 460 inches of rain a year (in 1982 it actually | | | | probably see the rainbows they leave behind!Hawaii |
| rained 666 inches!) However, just a few miles away | | | | also has what are called "Mauka Showers." Mauka |
| is a desert that receives less than 10 inches of rain | | | | means "inland" or "toward the mountains." It will often |
| per year. So as you can see the weather varies quite | | | | be raining in the mountains or valleys, but be dry on |
| a lot just on one island.Hawaii weather is greatly | | | | the beaches.Sometimes during the winter months it |
| influenced by the trade winds that generally blow at | | | | does rain for 2-3 days straight. The good news is |
| speeds of 10-20 MPH. Sometimes the winds will be | | | | that since there are so many micro-climates on the |
| light to non-existent and sometimes they will blow | | | | islands, you can often just go a short distance to find |
| much stronger--into the 30 MPH range.The trade | | | | dry weather.Hawaii does, on rare occasion have a |
| winds have a welcome cooling effect. Even though it | | | | hurricane pass our way, although this happens much |
| may be 85 degrees with 80% humidity, the trade | | | | less often than it does in Florida or other parts of the |
| winds make it feel much more comfortable.The | | | | US mainland. It is always good to be prepared, of |
| opposite wind is called the kona wind. The kona | | | | course, but the last hurricanes to hit Hawaii was |
| winds tend to bring hot, humid weather, and | | | | "Iniki" which hit Kauai in 1992. Hurricane season runs |
| sometimes rain. The kona winds are not as prevalent | | | | between June-December.Even given these general |
| as the trade winds. (Don't confuse kona winds with | | | | guidelines, the weather can vary quite a bit depending |
| Kona side of the Big Island which tends to be hot | | | | on where you are on the island. The windward |
| and dry.)Hawaii has semi-tropical weather. | | | | (Northeast) sides of the islands are generally the |
| Temperatures usually range from 75-90 degrees year | | | | wettest and coolest, and the leeward (Southwest) |
| round in the daytime, and 70-80 degrees at night. | | | | sides are generally the driest and hottest.So as you |
| Temperatures in the winter months may be a little | | | | can see, there can be quite a variety of weather in |
| cooler, where nighttime temperatures can sometimes | | | | Hawaii. Be sure to pack a light jacket, rain coat, or |
| fall into the 50's. (It feels much cooler than that with | | | | sweater so you'll be comfortable on the cool |
| a 20 MPH trade wind blowing.)At the higher | | | | Hawaiian nights and in your visits upcountry.If you |
| elevations of the islands (such as up country Maui and | | | | plan on visiting Maui or Big Island you won't want to |
| Big Island) temperatures can drop to the 30's or 40's | | | | miss the summits of Haleakala (elevation 10,023 feet) |
| and snow often falls at the very high elevations of | | | | and Mauna Kea (elevation 13,796 feet.) Just make |
| Haleakala and Mauna Kea!Rain showers can appear at | | | | sure you pack a heavy jacket!Braddah Kimo is based |
| any time of the year but they most often fall | | | | in Honolulu and has worked in the Hawaii travel |
| between the months of November-February. Even | | | | industry for over 20 years. His websites are and |
| though these winter months are technically the "rainy | | | | WholesaleTrip. |