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What is the weather like in Hawaii? Is there a difference in weather on each island?

If your wedding will be outdoors, then weather is a factor. Although the weather is generally warm and tropical on all of the islands, the weather not only varies by island, but also varies on different parts of each island.

Below is a summary of the islands' typical weather situations. For actual forecasts, visit these websites...

http://weatherlook.net/hi.shtml

http://hawaiiweathertoday.com/mwt/

Click here for information on when to travel to Hawaii.

Big Island: The weather on the Big Island depends more on location than time of year. The wide variety of climates and the resulting range of temperatures and rainfall across the island are due primarily to differences in elevation and exposure to the moist northeasterly trade winds. The average day-time temperature in the coastal resort areas ranges from the mid 80's (29.4 C)in the summer months of May to October to the mid to low 70's (23.9-26.1 C) during the winter months of November to April. On the dry southwest side is the Kona coast, where average summer day-time high temperatures are from 77-80 degrees F (25.0-26.7 C), with night-time lows of 61-64 degrees (16.1-17.8 C). Day-time temperatures in the winter here are usually 76-79 degrees (24.4-26.1 C), with night- time lows of 59-62 degrees (15.0-16.7 C). You generally can count on getting a lot of sun in the Kona area, where average monthly rainfall around Kona-Kailua 1-4 inches each year. To the north is Waimea, which is slightly cooler, with summer day- time high temperatures of 74-77 degrees (23.3-25.0 C) and night time lows of 53-58 degrees (11.7-14.4 C). In the winter daytime highs here drop to 72-75 degrees (22.2-23.9 C), with night-time lows of 51-54 degrees (10.6-12.2 C). Being in the rainshadow of the mountains, Waimea gets only 1-3 inches of rain per month in the summer and 3-5 inches per month in the winter. There is a variety of environments on the windward northeast coast. There are humid tropical rainforests just north of Kilaue and a rocky Kau desert just south of the volcano's caldera. This part of the island receives more rain than the leeward coast because of its exposure to the trade winds and its this moisture that supports all the luxuriant growth you can see here, making the city of Hilo one of the flower growing capitals of the world. During the winter season, Hilo receives 9-14 inches of rain per month. This drops to 6-10 inches during the summer months. Most of the rain falls in the evening and morning hours. Summer temperatures reach a daytime high of 79-84 F (26.1-28.9 C), and a low of 68-69 degrees (20.0 C) in the evening. Winter daytime highs reach 79-81 degrees (26.1-27.2 C) , while evening low temperatures are 63-67 degrees (17.2-19.4 C).

Kauai: Because the "Garden Island" of Kauai is the furthest North of Hawaii's main islands, it is slightly cooler than the others. The winter months (November through March) experience more rain than the summer months. Typical winter daytime highs are 76 to 80 degrees F (24.4-26.7 C) and nighttime lows run 60 to 64 degrees (15.6-17.8 C). Summer daytime highs range from 84 to 87 (28.9-30.6 C) and nighttime lows are typically 70 to 72 degrees (21.1-22.2 C). Summer months tend to be mostly sunny to partly cloudy on both the north shore (Hanalei, Princeville) and south shore (Poipu), but it rains more on the north shore. Spring and Fall temperatures are only slightly different from the highs and lows noted above. There is a 3.5 degree drop in temperature for every thousand foot rise above sea level.

Lanai: The "Secluded Isle" is completely in the rain-shadow of its neighbor island Maui. It receives very little rain and is one of the driest islands in the chain. Its climate is relatively uniform throughout the year, with summer high temperatures ranging from 80-90 degrees F (26.7-32.2 C) and winter low temperatures ranging between 54 to 67 degrees (12.2-19.4 C). The island's principal city, Lanai City, is located up slope from the beaches in the center of the island and is consequently cooled by her elevation. Lanai City's average summer-time temperatures range from a high of 78-85 degrees (25.5-29.4 C) during the day, to a low of 62-66 degrees (16.7-18.9 C) in the evening. Average winter temperatures in town range from a day-time high of 72-76 degrees, (22.2-24.4 C) down to 59-63 degrees (15.0-17.2 C) at night. The leeward (south) coast in particular, is very dry and sunny and can get quite hot in the summer.

Maui: Maui has fairly consistent weather throughout the year, with a summer (May through October) and winter season (November through April) marked only by mild temperature changes and increased rainfall during the cooler winter months. The summer months are mostly sunny to partly cloudy throughout the island, while the winter months have an increase of clouds and periodic rain showers. Maui's weather is very localized, so the weather you experience will vary according to your location that day. Day-time temperatures in the west Maui town of Lahaina during the summer range from an average of 85-88 degrees F. while night-time lows average 66-70 degrees (18.9-21.1 C). Winter day-time high temperatures there average 81-85 degrees (27.2-29.4 C) and night-time lows are 63-67 degrees (17.2-19.4 C). By comparison, Hana, which is on the east coast, has average summer day-time highs of 81-84 (27.2-28.9 C) degrees and evening lows of 67-70 degrees. Winter day-time highs there are 78-81 degrees (25.6-27.2 C), while night-time lows are 63-68 degrees (17.2-20.0 C). For your wedding, you will probably be concerned with weather on the west side (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua) or the south side (Wailea, Kihei).

Molokai: "The friendly isle" has a variety of distinct climate zones, including the cool, wet rainforests of the rugged mountains and valleys of East Molokai, the sunny, arid rolling hills of West Molokai, and the dry central plains region of Hoolehua. The island's climate is relatively uniform throughout the year. The average summer temperatures in the island's principal town, Kaunakakai, range from 68-82 degrees F. (20.0-27.8 C), while the average winter temperature is 61-80 degrees (16.1-26.7 C). Rainfall on the island varies considerably, with the ranch and beach areas on the western and southern side of the island receiving just 2-4 inches per month in the winter and virtually no rain during the summer months.

Oahu: The seasons on Oahu are winter (November through April) and summer (May through October), with only moderate changes in the temperature. The day-time high temperatures in Honolulu during the summer range from an average of 85 to 87 degrees F (29.4-30.6 C) with night-time lows of 70 to 74 (21.1-23.3 C). Winter day-time high temperatures in the city are 70 to 74 degrees F (21.1-23.3 C) and night-time lows are 65 to 69 degrees (18.3-20.6 C). There is a 3.5 degree drop in temperature for every thousand feet above sea level.