Hawaii Luxury Homes > About the Big Island > Big Island Weather
Weather on the Big Island is as diverse as the island's population and their many cultural backgrounds. Of the worlds 21 climates (some say 18), the Big Island of Hawaii boasts of 19 (or 16, depending on your source!) of these climatic conditions. You won't find Arctic conditions, but you can ski on Mauna Kea during the late fall or winter months, though it's recommended only for the courageous, not to mention, experienced skier. Ka'u has a desert, but don't expect sand dunes, camels, or the French Foreign Legion. Aside from that, the Big Island of Hawai'i has a bounty of weather for you to choose from. Rain forests, fern forests, pine forests, high mountain pastures, wet and dry conditions. It's hard to tire of the weather where you live, for you're only a modest drive from something completely different.
Some general conditions for some popular spots are given below. Keep in mind that Hawai'i is as susceptible as the rest of the world to El Ninõ, El Ninã, and the other stormy outbursts of Mother Nature, so there are years where the average is exceeded or not even close! Rainfall and temperature can change in short distances, as elevation, the ocean at the coastal areas, or proximity to major topographical influences, such as the Saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, have their impact.
And, what, you ask, is "Vog"? Vog is
like smog, and is the result of molten lava from the still
active Kilauea Volcano interacting with sea water as it
flows into the ocean. The result is a condition much
like the smog of the mainland cities. How much Vog
there is and where on the island is often greatly determined
by rainfall, general winds and the current activity and
flow patterns of Kilauea Volcano.
Kailua-Kona:
This small town is our "Big City"! With Costco and Walmart and cinema multiplexes, it's our brand of urban living. Temperature is generally warm to hot, with general sunshine, and an annual average temperature of 75 degrees. Mostly "mauka" (Up slope) showers in the afternoon, with rainfall averaging from 25", in town, to around 30" at the higher elevations. Kona is frequently, if not persistently, subject to Vog, the degree of severity dependent on the weather patterns of the moment. If you suffer from respiratory ailments, you will want to consider living north, in Waimea or North Kohala, if this is possible.
The Gold Coast/Resorts:
The Kohala Coast is the classic sunny tropical weather. With sunshine averaging 357 out of 365 days of the year, rainfall at an average of 7", average humidity of 48%, and an average temperature of 78 degrees it's not hard to understand the attraction to "weather challenged" visitors. With some of the nicest beaches anywhere, this is old lava flows with irrigated islands of superior golf courses and tropical resort serenity throughout.
North Kohala:
North Kohala is the Big Island's best kept little secret, which is fast being discovered by many. Dry at the coast and Kawaihae Harbor, with only 7" of average rainfall, the country gets greener and wetter as you proceed north. By the time you reach Hawi (pronounced "Ha-vee") you are in the lush green country of old Hawaii and the sugar cane plantations. Here, rainfall averages from 52" in Hawi, to upwards of 75" as you proceed to the end of the road and spectacular Pololu Valley. During rainy periods, humidity can be upwards of 80%, and here, like most of Hawai'i, elevation makes a distinct difference. It can be warm at the coast and 5 to 10 degrees cooler mauka at the 1600 foot elevations. Still lots of sunshine, but more rain than our South Kohala or Kona Coast neighbors. Vog occurs only on the very, very few days in Hawaii when the wind is out of the SouthEast.
Upcountry Waimea:
This is classic ranch land, not surprising as it is the home to Parker Ranch, one of the world's largest. Rolling pastures are chillier here, with temperatures ranging from the 50's (sometimes, a little lower) in the winter months, and moderated to the low 70s in the warmer months by the 2600 foot elevation, with the annual average temperature being 64 degrees. Here, the topographical influence of Mauna Kea is almost visible, as Waimea has a "green" side and a "dry" side, with the center of town being the point where the difference begins. Where rain falls in showers on most parts of the island, in Waimea it falls in prolonged light mists, with the annual average being around 31". Vog occasionally, mostly as you head down to the coast through the dry side of town.
Hamakua Coast:
The Hamakua Coast is one of the loveliest stretches of Hawaiian coastline. As you travel from Waimea towards Hilo, you pass through the history of sugar plantations, where now, Eucalyptus tree farming is replacing the once vast fields of cane. In Honoka'a town, which marks, relatively, the spot on the highway where the coastline again appears, and is next to the famous Waipio Valley, the temperature average in the high 60s in winter months to the mid-70s in the warmer months, with the recorded annual average temperature at 71.5 degrees. Rainfall is recorded at an average of 86 inches annually, however, here, as in many places on the island, elevation and geography have their mitigating, or aggravating, influence. Like North Kohala, the averages are moderate and make for wonderful island living. Also, like North Kohala, vog is only rarely experienced here.
Hilo:
The locals joke and refer to the East side of the island as "the dark side", for here rainfall averages 128" a year. This is due to this side of the island being the first to be subject to the moisture laden Trade Winds as they come off the Pacific Ocean. As the weather starts up the elevation of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, they deposit their rain on Hilo. Humidity is therefore higher on the average here and sunnier days are fewer. The winter months are chillier here due to the moisture and diminished sunny days. The average annual recorded temperature is, however, 73.5 degrees. It should be noted that this is taken at the airport, where there is no lush growth to hold temperatures down. Still, many swear by the lushness and the old Hawaii feeling that lives on here. As you travel south along the coast, the weather changes just inside Volcano National Parks as you then discover the Desert of Ka'u. On the way there, you'll pass through Mountain View, with average annual rainfall of 207" and a recorded average annual temperature of 65 degrees. Mountain View is only 10 miles from Hilo, so this serves as a prime example about how weather can vary in very short distances!
This is the side of the island that vog is created on, so it is present the closer you get to the Kilauea Volcano. Hilo can feel its effects if the winds swing north up the coast, though not as frequently as other areas, such as Kona.