Ke a‘o Ulu – Weather and Climate
Hiki mai ka ma lie, hiki mai no ka‘ino is a Hawaiian saying that means "fair weather comes, storms come too." Located in the Central Pacific, just south of the Tropic of Cancer and east of the International Date Line, the islands of Hawai‘i enjoy a tropical climate. The general climate of the islands features moderate temperature from the high 70s to the mid 80s (degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the year. The islands are also subjected to winds generally from the northeast and localized rainfall storms.
Rainy weather over a valley in Wai‘anae.
Source: CZM Hawai‘i.Traditionally, only two seasons were distinguished by the Hawaiians: kau and ho‘oilo. Kau is the fruitful season when the sun was directly or almost directly overhead, when the weather was warmer, and when the trade winds were most reliable. Kau is considered summer, the dry season that extends from May 1 through October 31. Ho‘oilo is the season when the sun was in the south, when the weather was cooler, and when the trade winds were most often interrupted by other winds. Ho‘oilo is considered winter and the wet season; it extends from November 1 through April 30.
The varied topography of O‘ahu creates several microclimates: windward lowlands, leeward lowlands, interior lowlands, rainy mountain leeward slopes, lower mountain leeward slopes, and high mountains. Each microclimate generally has its own wind patterns, temperature range, and precipitation patterns. Wai‘anae is located leeward of the Ko‘olau and Wai‘anae Mountains, in a leeward lowlands microclimate. It is characterized by higher daytime and cooler nighttime temperatures. The area receives below-average amounts of precipitation compared to the rest of O‘ahu. The majority of the precipitation comes from winter storms carried by southwestern winds. The broad local plain and adjacent mountains create a unique wind pattern not experienced in other parts of the island.
The following sections discuss various aspects of Hawai‘i's weather and climate. This includes descriptions of prevailing weather conditions, winds and coastal storms and their effects on coastal erosion, the effects of rains and flooding on coastal development, and drought conditions, which can impact Wai‘anae's agricultural industry. Climate change and variability discusses large-scale processes influencing Hawai‘i. Finally, information is presented on the management agencies responsible for recovery planning.
Kunihi Ka‘ena
Kunihi Ka‘ena, holo i ka malie
Wela i ka La ke alo o ka pali
Aumamo mai i ka La o Kīlauea
Iki‘iki i ka La na Keawa‘ula
Ola i ka makani Kaia‘ulu Koholalele
He makani ‘ia no lalo
Haoa ka La i na Mākua
Lili ka La i ‘Ōhikilolo
Ha‘a hula le‘a ka La i ke kula
Ka ha‘a ana o ka La i Mākaha. |
Ka‘ena's profile fleets through the calm,
With flanks ablaze in the sunlight,
A furnace-heat like Kīlauea;
Keawa‘ula swelters in heat;
Koholalele revives in the breeze,
That breath from the sea, Kaia‘ulu.
Fierce glows the sun of Mākua;
How it quivers at Ohikilele;
'Tis the sun god's dance over the plain,
A riot of dance at Mākaha. |
– Excerpt from an ancient chant about Wai‘anae moku
Related References
Climate Source, Inc. 2002. Prism 1961-1990 Mean Annual Precipitation Oahu, Hawaii. http://www.climatesource.com/hi/fact_sheets/oahuppt_xl.jpg
Leeward Community College Botany Department. 1998. Plants in the Hawaiian Environment: Learning Objective 19. University of Hawaii Distance Education. http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/millen/bot130/learning_objectives/lo19/19.html
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004d. Hawaii Climate Information. National Weather Service Forecast Office Honolulu, Hawaii. http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/climate.php
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004e. Hawaiian Islands Recent Marine Data. National Data Buoy Center. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Hawaii.shtml
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004f. National Climatic Data Center Home Page. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html
U.S. Naval Observatory. 2004. Astronomical Applications Data Services. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/
Waianae Coast Coalition. 2000. Waianae Coast Heritage Trails. Waianae, HI.
Western Regional Climate Center. 2004. Climate of Hawaii. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/HAWAII.htm
Back to top
