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Hawaii's Visitor Seasons

With a continuous mild climate, Hawaii is a year-round destination. The islands have two separate peak visitor seasons during the year when demand for flights, hotels, restaurants, rental cars and tours is heaviest. The first is during the winter months, roughly from mid-November through the end of March. The other busy season is during the summer months, from June through the end of August. The rest of the year is generally slower and quieter. The months of April and May or September and October are great times to visit Hawaii because the crowds are gone and the weather is pleasant.

Climate & Weather

As the old cliche about the weather goes, if you stick around long enough it'll change. That's pretty much true of the islands as well. Hawaii is blessed with generally mild temperatures and moderate humidity the year around. The temperature variation from day to night and season to season is relatively small. Weather conditions and temperatures vary by elevation and area of the island.

Hawaii basically has two seasons. Summer is May to October, when the sun is close to directly overhead. The weather during this period is warmer and drier than the rest of the year and the northeast Tradewinds (which cool and temper the islands) blow more regularly.

The winter months are November to March. During this time, the sun is farther to the south and the weather, both day and night, is noticeably cooler. The northeast Tradewinds pattern is often interrupted and 'Kona' (south) winds, cloudy periods and rainstorms rumble through the islands.

Traveling to Hawaii & Inter-Island Travel

Hawaii is about five hours flying time from the US west coast. Each island chapter details the airlines and services to/from that island and the US mainland. The main gateway to the Hawaiian Islands is, of course, Honolulu. It has the greatest number of direct flights to/from the US mainland. However, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii have direct US mainland flights as well, although not as many. Most inter-island flights are about 30 minutes. Hilo to Honolulu is the longest route and takes 40-45 minutes. For the romantics who yearn for a slower more leisurely mode of transport, there is a section on cruise ships that sail to Hawaii and inter-island.

Rainfall

Rainfall varies greatly between the islands and within each individual island. The eastern, windward sides of the islands generally receive the greatest amount of rainfall because the prevailing northeast Tradewinds (at least in the summer) bring the rain clouds over the eastern coasts. The clouds are then carried up and over the interior mountains and the rain is released. That's why the windward sides of the islands are so lush and green with rain forests and dense vegetation. The western or leeward sides of all the islands tend to be much drier, with considerably less vegetation and more desert-like conditions.

Rainfall varies by elevation and location but along the windward coastal areas it can be 50-130 inches or more annually. Hana on Maui's east coast averages about 70 inches annually, while Hilo on Hawaii's east coast averages 130 inches per year. Higher elevation areas generally receive much higher annual rainfalls. By contrast, Lahaina on Maui's leeward coast averages just 14 inches annually while the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii averages less than 10 inches per year and is recognized as the driest region in the islands. Rainfall is equally distributed throughout the year, with no real wet and dry season.

Temperatures

Average daytime temperatures in summer range from the upper 70s to low 80s in most areas of the islands. In winter, daytime temperatures range from the upper 60s to lower 70s. However, temperatures can vary more significantly at higher elevations throughout the islands, particularly in high mountain areas.

Clothing & Gear

For most occasions, dress in the islands is casual. For men, an Aloha shirt (made from that colorful, flowery art print fabric) and slacks are appropriate for almost any occasion. For women, the same can be said of a muumuu (a full-length dress made from that same Aloha fabric). Comfort and fit should be important guidelines in selecting what clothing to bring. Generally, lightweight cotton and blend materials, and permanent press wash-and-wear clothes are the most versatile. The emphasis should be on keeping cool and comfortable in the tropics. Jeans or shorts and tee shirts are the daily wear here. The only time men might need a more formal coat and tie and ladies an evening dress would be for that special night out at one of the more plush resorts or fine-dining restaurants. But many of the better restaurants that used to require jackets for men have rescinded the rule and have gone more casual.

Beachwear, swimsuits and the like are appropriate for the beach and pool areas, but most resorts require cover-ups for the lobby, public areas, shops and restaurants, so plan accordingly.

You will need warm clothes if you plan to visit higher-elevation national parks, ranches or rain forests. And on the mountain summits of Haleakala on Maui or Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island freezing temperatures and snow are not unusual. Warm water-repellent jackets would also be useful for rainy days and cool temperatures.

Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are definitely a must for hiking. Any other special clothing and/or gear necessary for activities you plan to participate in should be brought with you. Most tour operators or outfitters will provide any special clothing or gear necessary for their activity.

Driving & Road Conditions

There is a comprehensive highway, road and street system linking all regions of each major island. The highways essentially encircle the islands. Roads and highways are maintained by either the island county or the State of Hawaii. Honolulu on Oahu is the only area with a multi-lane freeway system, but it is limited mostly to the densely populated central island region. The major highways and roads on all the islands are paved.

Driving on island highways and roads is no different than driving elsewhere. Just remember to drive defensively and with caution. Some roads, especially in rugged coastal areas, gulches and valleys, tend to be narrow, winding and steep in places, often with little or no shoulder margin.

Also, in some places with steep cliffsides along coastal areas or in gulches, heavy rainfall can cause landslides and road closures. Some low-lying places near stream beds and natural drainages are subject to flooding in heavy rain. So be aware of the route you are taking and the weather conditions. Heed any hazard warnings or posted signs. If you are unsure, make inquiries about local road and weather conditions. In each major island chapter, the Information Sources section lists the telephone contact for the National Weather Service office on that island. A call will provide the current weather conditions and immediate area forecast.