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Weather & Climate in Kaunakakai, HI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaunakakai has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 72°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 351 feet.
Temperature
72°F Jan (22°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 75.9°F |
| 41% above US avg | |
| January Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 351 ft (107 m) |
| Area | 16.5 sq mi (42.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 290/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 21.0942°N, 157.0009°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Honolulu |
| County | Kalawao County County |
| Nearest Airport | Daniel K Inouye International (HNL) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 24.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
310 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jun 27, 1998 | 51 km NW of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M5.1 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Mar 20, 1995 | Maui region, Hawaii | M4.8 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Mar 9, 2017 | 70 km NNE of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.7 | 76 km | 32 km |
| Jan 25, 2022 | 10 km NNE of Wailua, Hawaii | M4.7 | 97 km | 41 km |
| Nov 22, 1998 | 30 km NW of H?w?, Hawaii | M4.5 | 124 km | 26 km |
| Jun 21, 2013 | 49 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.5 | 56 km | 35 km |
| Jul 27, 2006 | 36 km SSW of M?kena, Hawaii | M4.4 | 94 km | 31 km |
| Aug 12, 1993 | 29 km WSW of H?w?, Hawaii | M4.3 | 142 km | 42 km |
| Jul 30, 2017 | 33 km WNW of H?w?, Hawaii | M4.2 | 121 km | 16 km |
| Jul 7, 2021 | 73 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M4.2 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Aug 22, 2014 | 54 km SW of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.2 | 70 km | 6 km |
| May 20, 2005 | 28 km ENE of Ka‘a‘awa, Hawaii | M4.1 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2014 | 5 km ESE of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.1 | 18 km | 0 km |
| Jun 1, 2006 | 66 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.1 | 74 km | 31 km |
| Oct 23, 1991 | 29 km NW of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.0 | 49 km | 23 km |
| Jan 7, 2003 | 44 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M4.0 | 147 km | 29 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 9 km W of M?kena, Hawaii | M4.0 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Apr 18, 1999 | 3 km WSW of Hana, Hawaii | M4.0 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Nov 17, 2000 | 26 km NE of Haiku-Pauwela, Hawaii | M3.9 | 90 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 2010 | 37 km S of Honolulu, Hawaii | M3.9 | 92 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Hone | Category 1 | 75 mph | 279 km |
| 2020 | Douglas | Category 1 | 92 mph | 79 km |
| 2018 | Lane | Category 2 | 92 mph | 274 km |
| 2016 | Lester | Category 1 | 81 mph | 187 km |
| 2014 | Ana | Category 1 | 81 mph | 254 km |
| 1992 | Iniki | Category 4 | 132 mph | 294 km |
| 1982 | Iwa | Category 1 | 92 mph | 286 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 11, 1982 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1982 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2012 | EF0 | 81 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 2011 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2008 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2006 | EF0 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2006 | EF0 | 35 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 1983 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1965 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Haleakala (89 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Haleakala | Shield | 3,055 m (10,023 ft) | 1750 | 89 km |
| Hualalai | Shield | 2,523 m (8,278 ft) | 1801 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAUNAKAKAI (8,355 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | KAUNAKAKAI | 8,355 | 1 km |
| 2019 | WAIKO RD | 7,915 | 65 km |
| 2016 | MAALAEA | 6,028 | 57 km |
| 2023 | PULEHU | 5,712 | 70 km |
| 2019 | CENTRAL MAUI | 5,530 | 70 km |
| 2016 | KAHIKINUI | 5,341 | 93 km |
| 2007 | OLOWALU | 2,549 | 49 km |
| 2007 | UPPER WAIOHULI | 2,376 | 84 km |
| 2023 | LAHAINA | 2,129 | 42 km |
| 2022 | KAUAULU VALLEY | 1,920 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 72°F (22°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| March | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in |
Kaunakakai has a seasonal temperature swing of 8°F / from 71°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.2") and June the driest (1.9").