Weather & Climate in Kualapuu, HI

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Kualapuu 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 643 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	643 ft (196 m)
Area	29.3 sq mi (75.9 km²)
Population Density	80/sq mi
Coordinates	21.1550°N, 157.0642°W
Timezone	Pacific/Honolulu
County	Kalawao County County
Nearest Airport	Daniel K Inouye International (HNL) 56 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.7"

43% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 6.22"

Driest Month (Jun) 1.89"

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

256 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	144 km	4 km
Mar 20, 1995	Maui region, Hawaii	M4.8	126 km	13 km
Mar 9, 2017	70 km NNE of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii	M4.7	71 km	32 km
Jan 25, 2022	10 km NNE of Wailua, Hawaii	M4.7	105 km	41 km
Nov 22, 1998	30 km NW of H?w?, Hawaii	M4.5	133 km	26 km
Jun 21, 2013	49 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii	M4.5	49 km	35 km
Jul 27, 2006	36 km SSW of M?kena, Hawaii	M4.4	103 km	31 km
Jul 30, 2017	33 km WNW of H?w?, Hawaii	M4.2	130 km	16 km
Jul 7, 2021	73 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii	M4.2	149 km	1 km
Aug 22, 2014	54 km SW of Maunaloa, Hawaii	M4.2	68 km	6 km
May 20, 2005	28 km ENE of Ka‘a‘awa, Hawaii	M4.1	80 km	10 km
Jun 7, 2014	5 km ESE of Maunaloa, Hawaii	M4.1	11 km	0 km
Jun 1, 2006	66 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii	M4.1	67 km	31 km
Oct 23, 1991	29 km NW of Maunaloa, Hawaii	M4.0	40 km	23 km
Apr 18, 1999	3 km WSW of Hana, Hawaii	M4.0	118 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1998	9 km W of M?kena, Hawaii	M4.0	78 km	10 km
Nov 17, 2000	26 km NE of Haiku-Pauwela, Hawaii	M3.9	97 km	11 km
Jul 19, 2010	37 km S of Honolulu, Hawaii	M3.9	87 km	3 km
Sep 17, 1996	109 km NNE of Waialua, Hawaii	M3.9	115 km	32 km
Aug 4, 2023	69 km WNW of Kalaoa, Hawaii	M3.9	148 km	43 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	287 km
2020	Douglas	Category 1	92 mph	77 km
2018	Lane	Category 2	92 mph	277 km
2016	Lester	Category 1	81 mph	186 km
2014	Ana	Category 1	81 mph	251 km
1992	Iniki	Category 4	132 mph	286 km
1982	Iwa	Category 1	92 mph	277 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	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 11, 1982	EF2	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1971	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 9, 2012	EF0	72 km	1.3 mi	0
Feb 11, 2011	EF0	77 km	0.0 mi	0
Sep 23, 2008	EF0	40 km	0.8 mi	0
Mar 25, 2006	EF0	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 2006	EF0	42 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 23, 1983	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF0	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF0	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 1965	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Haleakala (98 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Haleakala	Shield	3,055 m (10,023 ft)	1750	98 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	9 km
2019	WAIKO RD	7,915	74 km
2016	MAALAEA	6,028	66 km
2023	PULEHU	5,712	80 km
2019	CENTRAL MAUI	5,530	79 km
2007	OLOWALU	2,549	58 km
2007	UPPER WAIOHULI	2,376	93 km
2023	LAHAINA	2,129	52 km
2022	KAUAULU VALLEY	1,920	54 km
2023	MILILANI	1,717	97 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

Kualapuu 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").

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