Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,049
The Hawaiian islands have windward and leeward shores. The windward sides face the prevailing trade winds, which, in turn, bring rain shower bands to the islands. The leeward sides are much drier and receive less rain. Most often, there are mountains or ranges that block the wind and rain from coming over from the windward side. In the cases of Maui and the Big Island, the height of the mountains (over 10,000' high) can cause some pretty dramatic effects on the windward and leeward slopes.
Examples of windward locations:
Hilo (Big Island)
Kahului, Hana (Maui)
Kailua, Kaneohe (O'ahu)
Princeville (Kaua`i)
Examples of leeward locations:
Kailua-Kona (Big Island)
Wailea (Maui)
Ko Olina (O`ahu)
Poipu (Kaua`i)
On the Big Island, the Kohala coast is in the lee of 13,000'+ Mauna Loa and 10,000+ Hualalai, so rain is pretty scarce, even in the rainy winter season.
On Maui, I'd argue that Kapaula, which technically not on the windward side, is still exposed enough not to be sheltered by the wind and rain that can exist in December.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 14, 2005 at 3:06 pm