We are in the midst of planning a January vacation and Hawaii is on our short list. mainly for exploring its natural beauty and maybe some quality beach time. We have never been there and are in our sixties but still going strong.

However, everything I read about the weather in January seems to indicate weather that is characterized by rain that is intense and long lasting - for days at a time and almost daily as well as unusually high surf.

Does your experience back that up? Do any of the islands, or parts of islands experience good vacation weather at that time of year? Our other option is Italy, where we still have much to see. We have been there before in January and do not mind the cold and occasional rain since there is a whole lot of architecture and indoor activities to enjoy.

I was on Oahu in Waikiki/Honolulu the 3rd week of January and we had very nice weather. Just beautiful, we were at the beach every day. A few times a short drizzle during the day and one evening poured rain but only for a short time as we were walking back to the hotel after dinner.

As always in Hawaii the specifics depend which island, and which side of it for general weather.

Hawaii's surf is highest in winter.

Also, although this is only one short experience, we were on Waikiki a few Januarys ago, and had very nice weather except it was pretty windy. But no rain, and it was definitely beach weather.

The western and southern sides of the islands are the driest. The eastern and northern shores are the rainiest. On South Maui there are cacti, so that tells you how much it rains there. The Kona coast is also a dry desert-like environement.

You need to read more about Hawaii.

>However, everything I read about the weather in January seems to indicate weather that is characterized by rain that is intense and long lasting - for days at a time and almost daily as well as unusually high surf.<

The surf is highest on the northern shores in the winter. Unusually high surf would be somewhere along the lines of 25+ foot high waves, but even that isn't really too unusual. You wouldn't be spending quality beach time on the north shore beaches in the winter anyway, since it would be dangerous to get into the water.

January is not characterized by long lasting, intense rain - nor really is any other month. Typically any rain is scattered showers across parts of the islands. It is unusual for it to rain heavily for several days in a row - but it has happened before.

Can't really predict the weather, but I wouldn't worry about it.

"everything" you've read is not giving you an accurate impression.

Again you need to decide exactly where you're going to be to even start to guess at the answer to this question.

OK - probably around Honolulu since I can get there on ff.

Well, Honolulu (Waikiki area) is where I was, and it was around MLK B'day weekend. Again, warm, no rain, very windy. We drove up to the North Shore - it was opening day or something like that at Waimea. We were interviewed for the local tv news. Big waves, most people were sitting on the beach watching.

>OK - probably around Honolulu since I can get there on ff.<

I live in Honolulu and typically I find the months of February and March to be rainier than January.

Staying on the windward side of the island (Kailua, Lanikai) will be rainier than if you stayed in town.

In January, I would stay in the following locations:
Waikiki on Oahu
Poipu area on Kauai
Kona on the Big Island
Wailea/ Kihei on Maui

Thanks all- fodorites come through again.

We visited Oahu in January 2006 (click on my name for my trip report) and I seem to recall that it may have rained almost every day for a short while and then cleared up.

Benefit: Rainbows in The Rainbow State!