Rainfall in January in Hawaii
 

Hi

A couple of friends and I are from New Zealand and looking to go to Hawaii in mid January. As I am aware its winter over there at that time of year. But I was just wondering how much rainfall you get in January? It's summer in New Zealand that time of year so would only want to go over if there was sun and not too much rainfall as it will end up being quite an expensive trip so I want to know whether it will be worth it.

Thanks for your help

Go to www.wunderground.com - type in the city or cities on the different Hawaiian islands you plan on visiting in the search box, scroll down to the Almanac section then click on the blue "History" link. Use the dropdown menus to select "January" and your planned dates of travel. You'll be directed to various charts showing all types of weather data, including the number of rain days and rain amounts for everyday during that period over the last 10 years. Study the data and you'll know more about rain and weather in Hawaii that most people who live there.

It was my experience living in Honolulu for a year that January was the rainiest month. I didn't say that to my hairdresser once when she and a friend went in January, and it rained on them every day they were there. (Your mileage may vary, as they say.)

Depends on where you go. Kohala coast, big island, or makena, maui? Can be very dry in comparison to other places on both those islands. Do the chart research recommendation above.

We spend Jan. - Mar. in South Maui. This is also Whale Season, best viewed from Maui and Big Island of Hawaii.

Winter brings rain, wind and rougher oceans to the northernmost portions of Hawaii, especially Kauai and Oahu, but to some extent Maui. You could still enjoy staying south and touring north: Poipu on Kauai, Waikiki on Oahu, from Napili south on Maui. (Surfing championships are scheduled for North Shore Oahu in late autumn/early winter.) Best location on Big Island is the Kohala Coast; you could also spend some nights in Volcano, although Hilo will be wet.

You need at least 10 nights in Hawaii to stay on more than one island. Each transit between islands runs about $100 and will consume 4 - 6 hours, door to door.

We've been to Hawaii in almost every month (so each experience is only anecdotal). Once in Waikiki in January. It was definitely cooler (meaning high 70s instead of mid-80s), a little rainer, and definitely breezier than other months. But it was still Hawaii, still tropical, and still beach weather. The northern beaches on Oahu are not swimmable in the winter - but they're fabulous for watching surfers who know what they're doing on the huge waves!

Which island? You can always get in your car and drive to another part of the ialand (you need a rental car anyplace outside of Waikiki).
Generally the south and west shores (at least on Kauai and Maui) get less rain than the north.