JackandLola

Hi
Hoping to make a trip to the Big Island in August/Sept/Oct. Living temporarily on Oahu and am having reaction to VOG, so concerned about being even closer to the source.

Any thoughts on making this trip? Any of these months better than the others for less VOG? Any suggestions on the best location to stay?
Many thanks!

sylvia3

Weather.Hawaii.edu/vmap/index.cgi
Will tell you that it can't be predicted, but has current conditions and maps.

sylvia3

Btw, I have lung issues, and never had a problem, even up on the volcano.

fdecarlo

It's dependent on volcano conditions, which obviously are unpredictable. General rule of thumb is to stay as far west and north on the island as possible, not only are the best white sand/swimmable beaches there, but it's farthest from the vog. Kohala Coast, Waikoloa, Waimea if you wish to save some money etc.

While volcano conditions are completely unpredictable, weather is only almost completely unpredictable, so imo you should definitely steer toward the later end of your Aug-Oct date range if possible. Vog gets exponentially worse on the island when trade winds fail, and they fail more often in summer than fall. October in our experience is the best weather month of the entire year, reliably sunny days and Pacific winter storms have not yet had a chance to erode the island's few white sand beaches, which makes beachgoing a whole lot more enjoyable.

ChiSue

It will be HOT. There may be VOG. Residents flee Big Island in late summer/early autumn.

I agree with staying Kohala Coast area -- at any time of year. (I'd visit in winter/early spring. That bare lava really *bakes*.)

sylvia3

"Residents flee Big Island"

This will come as a great surprise to the people who live and work on the Big Island.
The weather is usually very nice year-round (70s to 80s).
http://www.govisithawaii.com/hawaiis...nd-when-to-go/

JackandLola

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! We know the weather, winds, VOG are all unpredictable but want to make a reasonable choice for our trip!

ChiSue

I should have said that residents with respiratory problems flee. And they do -- if they can. (*I* flee midwest winters.)

Shar

we were on the Big Island September 2015 and did not experience any VOG . It was however, very hot with no trade winds. We were staying at the Hapuna Beach Hotel so far enough away from the volcano.

sylvia3

In the past several years I've been on the big island in every season, and not had a problem once with vog (except in the national park).