DEMOGRAPHICS / CLIMATE

The Hawaiian Islands share the topography of a “wet” or windward side to the east and a “dry” or leeward side to the west. The tropical latitude keeps Hawaii from experiencing any dramatic differences in the length of the days or the amount of sunshine, even during the winter months. Hawaii’s tropical environment offers two seasons: Summer (Kau) occurs from May through October, and winter (Hooilo) stretches from November through April. The average daily temperature in the winter is a comfortable and idyllic 78 degrees, running about 10 degrees higher during the summer months. Hawaiian time is two hours earlier than the standard Pacific Time Zone and does not change during the daylight savings season.

Temperatures tend to vary more with the terrain and the elevation than the season. In fact, the summits of the Big Island of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can sometimes be blanketed with snow. The majority of rain falls on the mountains and valleys on the windward or northeastern side of the islands, giving Hawaii its reputation for a rich, verdant, tropical environment. The wettest months are from November to March, but rain tends to be localized. The trade winds ensure a constant cooling breeze unless coming from the southwest, in which case they bring stormy or hot and humid weather. For up-to-date information on Hawaii weather, consult the following resources:

National Weather Service
Online Forecasts
www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/hawaii.php