We're planning a family vacation to Maui for the end of July. I know it will be hot but what about the humidity?

My kids (I guess they're not kids anymore!) and grandchildren are excited because they've never been to Hawaii so it will be fun even it's hot and humid.

Carole

Hi Carole,

I was on Maui for a week in August in 2006, and expected it to be much more humid than it actually was! I thought the weather was quite comfortable. I agree that when you're all together enjoying fun in the sun, you might not even notice the humidity.

That said, I took a look at www.wunderground.com and searched for historical weather/humidity on Maui. In July of this year, the temperature average was 76 degrees, with humidity averaging 75%.

Carole, I guess that even in beautiful Maui there is unpredictable variation in weather. I was there for 3 weeks in late September/early October. For one of those weeks we lost the trade winds and the low 80's were pretty hot for me, the hot weather wimp. It was a combination of the heat and the VOG (from the volcano on the Big Island, I believe.) Of course, there is usually water nearby or at least a cool drink!

Hawaii isn't often hot and humid. That's one reason it's so popular--the trade winds keep things quite pleasant. The trades can fail but they don't often in summer.

NOAA has a good description of Hawaiian weather, by season:
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/faq.php

I have since checked some weather stats and was surprised to find out that the year we were in Maui in April the humidity was high and I don't remember it being uncomfortable so I guess the trade winds make all the difference. I'm sure it could never be as bad as the humidity I remember from my NJ days.

Carole

Hi Carole,

It really depends on the winds. September/October are usually the hottest months for us with the most humidity, although whenever the winds die, the humidity is horrible. This year we had a very cool winter (for us) and a long hot summer starting in May and continuing until last week! I just used a blanket for the first time a few nights ago.

In July, the daytime temperatures rarely go over 92,93 and the night time temperatures are usually in the high 70's to low 80's. It is hot early in the morning and the sun is very strong. Make sure to use good sunscreen. The nice thing is that the ocean is nice and warm.

girasoli,

Do you mean the humidity is horrible in Sept. and Oct. or also in July? We'll be there the last week in July so I assume it will be getting into Aug. weather. I don't mind the high temps and I try to stay out of the direct sun. I do enjoy the warm evening but not the high humidity so we'll have to hope we get the trade winds. Here in CA when the sun goes down it's usually too cool for me even in the summer.

Carole

When we have winds, it is hot but not too humid in July. It really depends on the trade winds. We have had very humid weeks in July/August when the winds die and we have had nice weeks (hot but not too humid) when the trade winds are blowing. The worst humidity is usually in September/October because that is when the winds always seem to die. For someone from a dry climate though, it would probably feel terribly humid all summer.

I agree with girasoli. It all depends on the wind. And its very true that for someone from a dry climate it will seem very humid no matter how great it feels to the locals. Just realize that the weather will change from hour to hour and there is no way to predict it, so go with the flow. Don't be too locked in to what you're going to do. If it turns out to be too humid when you planned an outdoor excursion, change it to doing something indoors. Chances are, the winds will change and it will be beautiful soon.

We have humidity in Hawai?!

LOL...it is humid but Hawaii's beauty and friendly people are well worth a little extra sweat. Plus your skin will feel better then it ever has before.

Hopefully you have some good tradewinds on your trip.

It seems to me the average temp in Honolulu is around 80 in the winter and 82 in the Summer. I have never seen the rain last more than a few minutes while I was there. The only exception being in some places with a rain forest type micro climate.