Hawaii Island
The outstanding features of Hawaii’s many climate zones include mild temperatures throughout the year, moderate humidity, persistence of northeasterly trade winds, significant differences in rainfall within short distances, and infrequent severe storms.
As you travel around the Big Island, check out the change of climate zones such as tropical monsoon, tundra, and desert within an hour drive.
Hawaii is within the tropics which accounts for the relative uniformity through the year in length of day, solar energy and temperature. Hawaii's longest and shortest days are about 13 1/2 hours and 11 hours, respectively, compared with 14 1/2 and 10 hours for Southern California and 15 1/2 hours and 8 1/2 hours for Maine.
The ocean provides moisture to the air and acts as a giant thermostat. Its temperature varies little compared to areas with large land masses. The seasonal range of ocean surface temperature near Hawaii is only about 6°. Hawaii's warmest months are not June and July, but August and September. Its coolest months, are not December and January, but February and March, reflecting the seasonal lag in the ocean's temperature.
Hawaii's mountains significantly influence every aspect of its weather and climate. The endless variety of peaks, valleys, ridges, and broad slopes, gives Hawaii a climate that is different from the surrounding ocean, as well as a climatic variety within the islands. These climatic differences would not exist if the islands were flat and the same size.
The open sea near Hawaii reaches rainfall averages between 25-30 inches a year. The “orographic,” or mountain-cause rains, forms within the moist trade-wind air as it moves in from the sea and overrides the steep and high terrain of the islands. Another source of rainfall is from cumulus clouds that build over the mountains on calm sunny afternoons. These shows are forceful but brief.
Its peak is 4,207.3 m (13,803 ft) above sea level, making it the highest point in the state of Hawaii
Mauna Loa is among Earth's most active volcanoes, having erupted 34 times since its first well-documented historical eruption in 1843.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa - and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kailua-Kona is on the western slopes of the Hualālai volcano next to the ocean. North of the village where the weather gets drier you can find gorgeous beaches, the resort coast, and world-famous golf courses.
A busy farming and fishing area in early times, Hilo evolved into a commercial center for the sugar industry in the 1800s. Downtown Hilo was built around its crescent-shaped bay and became the seat of county government. Today, Downtown Hilo is a charming town offering museums, art galleries, shops and restaurants.
We're located at 27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Papaikou, HI 96781, — along the 4-mile scenic route.
The above product is a condensed chapter on Hawaii’s climate from the Second Edition (University of Hawaii Press, 1983) of the “Atlas of Hawaii.” The author is the late Saul Price, former Hawaii State Climatologist and Staff Meteorologist for the National Weather Service Pacific Region.
Land Area
Hawaii Island or the Big Island has an area of more than 4,000 square miles making up almost two thirds of the land area of the entire state. You could fit all the other 7 islands into this island’s land mass. There are five volcanoes that formed the Big Island; Mauna Kea, the highest at 13,796 ft., Mauna Loa at 13,677 ft, Hualalai at 8,271 ft, Kohala 5,480 ft and Kilauea at 4,093 ft.
CLIMATES
The island’s size and different elevations contribute to diverse climate zones. Hawaii’s climate includes mild temperatures throughout the year, moderate humidity, continuing presence of trade winds from the northeast, significant differences in rainfall within short distances, and infrequent severe storms.
seasons
The Hawaiian Islands consist of two seasons: “summer,” May to Mid-October, and “winter,” Mid-October to April. Summer in the islands has warmer temperatures ranging from 75 – 85 Fahrenheit, with a dry climate, and a calmer ocean. While winter in Hawaii is cooler (65 – 75° F), wetter, and has a larger, rougher surf.
tradewinds
The air that reaches the Hawaiian Islands spends enough time over the ocean to moderate its harsher temperature. The Arctic air that reaches Hawaii in the winter, may have a temperature increase by as much as 100 degrees during its passage over the waters of the North Pacific. Hawaii’s warmest months are not June and July, but August and September. Its coolest months are not December and January, but February and March, reflecting the seasonal lag in the Pacific ocean’s temperature.