Weather & Climate

Weather on all of the Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. This is partly due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures. In practical terms, there are only two seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months (Hooilo) that run from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C), while the average daytime winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.

The Hawaiian Islands are an incredible collection of many diverse micro-environments, each with its own weather, plants and animals. Nowhere is this more true than on the Big Island.

As a result of the shielding effect of our massive volcanoes and varying elevations, there are as many different climate zones here as exist along the entire coast stretching from Alaska to Costa Rica. For the full impact of this, you need only explore Hawaii Island by car or helicopter to see the beauty of tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions, stony deserts and sunny beaches—all within the span of a day’s drive.