February Weather - Hawaii
 

We are booked for a Hawaiian cruise mid-February. This is for my husband's 60th birthday---we have never been to Hawaii. We often go to the Caribbean in February---we live in the Midwest so February is a great time to go away. Since I have booked the Hawaiian cruise I have found that February is the "rainy" season in Hawaii. I just assumed the weather was great year around! I realize nobody has a crystal ball, but for you Hawaii experts--are we looking at potentially lots of rainy days? Or is it like the Caribbean where the rain comes and goes very quickly? This is going to be a once in a lifetime experience (the cost is far more than we can spend on a typical vacation) so I certainly don't want to spend the precious time we have there (7 days) indoors! Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

It really depends where you are on the islands... Generally, the south shores are sunny. If you picture each island with the same temperate zones as a very mini US, that will help you out a great deal. It's a great time to go and enjoy the weather. Are you over nighting on Oahu?
Have a great time!

Your question is difficult to answer because there could be delightful weather in Hawaii in February (or not).
When it rains in the winter in Hawaii, it can be for a chilly full day or two at a time. Also the water temps are cooler than Caribbean (Hawaii summer water is like Caribbean winter water). Also, if your cruise is from the West Coast, the water will be rough and cold for at least half the trip. You might do better May-October, or go back to the Caribbean, where winter weather is reliably warm. If you are like me, who can't tolerate being stuck in while on a tropical vacation, I would not chance it.

Thanks for your help. We will be on the Pride of America--going from Honolulu to Kahului (Maui), Hilo (Hawaii), Kona (Hawaii), Nawiliwilli (Kaui), then back to Honolulu. We are planning to spend the night in Honolulu both before and after. It is sounding as if February is not a good choice--I planned it to coincide with my husband's birthday (February 15), but maybe I need to re-think.

We have traveled to Hawaii twice in Feb. and have been blessed with good weather.
Feb. is the rainy season but it is also a peak travel time. One reason is that Feb. is a great month for whale watching. Seeing the whales has been one of our "wow" travel experiences.
Seeing the whales breach, tail flap, jump, and play is really something to see. I would love to return again in Feb.
Seeing the whales from the deck of your ship or a balcony would be great--take some binoculars. If I were you, I would celebrate your husband's birthday in Hawaii.

February is a great time in Hawaii, Ive been many times and it usually only rains a little at night. The weather is warm. The Whales are great. The water is slightly rougher than summer, but not bad. Have fun, Aloha

LindainOhio and sandyca:
Okay, you convinced me--I am going to go for it and hope for the best. I am not usually so concerned about things that may or may not happen. In this case, however, we have convinced another couple to go with us and she is a real sun worshipper. I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that the weather is good enough to keep her happy. It has to be better than February weather in Ohio, right? (I live in Columbus, Linda)

I've been to Hawaii in February 4 times. We've had, at most, 2 partial days of rain. And even when it rains, the temps are in the 80's. Hawaii is my favorite winter destination!

bc, don't worry about it. I've lived here near 50 years now.

Technically February is part of Hawaii's rainy season, but I wouldn't let it affect anyone's vacation plans.

This is Hawaii, even if it does rain a bit (and odds are it will be just "a bit" if it does rain), that will just create more rainbows that you'll see frame the islands.

Don't worry and just look forward to it.

Okay, so now I am excited again! Thanks so much! We have been so looking forward to this trip. We were originally scheduled to go on a Hawaiian cruise in Dec. '01. Unfortunately, the cruiseline went bankrupt in Oct. '01! We love cruising and thought it would be a great way to see the Hawaiian islands for the first time. I am sure we will fall in love like everyone else and want to go back.

We are thinking of traveling to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, possibly in February of 2006. We want warm weather - meaning, being outside, in the ocean and the pool - every day. Is February the right time to go? We do not want to go June-August. It's already warm here in the midwest during those months. We want to be able to snorkle and pool-it daily. But now I've read it's rainy season in February and may not be warm enough to go in the water. It has to be hot for me to go in the water. No sweaters please. Any suggestions would be great! kb

Hello bc, I have never been in Hawaii in February so I don't know. It appears from your comments that you can cancel your cruise at this point if you wish to?

I sure love Hawaii but understand your concern about rain.

The westcoast of Mexico is fabulous in February. My husband's birthday was in February so we usually went to Mexico about once every three years. Just food for thought.

The first step is to get over the idea of a "right time to go". The only thing predictable about Hawaii's weather is that it's completely unpredictable. But generally, any rain that does come in lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. The west side of the BI (Kona and Kohala) get the least amount of rain of anywhere in the state.

In the 15 years we've been going to the BI we've run into weather systems that lasted a week or longer only twice -- once in late October and the other in late January/early February.

Sorry, I just re-read your post and I think you were talking about temperatures in February. The island vary only a few degrees over the year. In "winter" you can still count on low 80's every day. "Summer" temps can range to the upper 80's. Ocean temps are never cold -- at least upper 60's and usually low 70's, even in winter.

Aloha BC, we are also planning a 60th birthday celebration for my husband and me and are booked on Pride of America in February. Was glad to see all the positive repsonses, because we're planning several adventures on BI after the cruise.