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Weather & Climate in Lawai, HI

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

Lawai 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 23.4 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 542 feet.

Temperature

72°F Jan (22°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average76.0°F
41% above US avg
January Average72°F (22°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation542 ft (165 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²)
Population Density684/sq mi
Coordinates21.9201°N, 159.5010°W
TimezonePacific/Honolulu
CountyKauai County County
Nearest AirportDaniel K Inouye International (HNL)
110 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.4"
38% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 6.57"
Driest Month (Jun) 1.30"

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score84.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability22.6 / 100
Community Resilience85.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail No Rating
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave No Rating
Lightning Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flood Relatively Low
Tsunami Relatively Moderate
Volcano No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 29, 2022 70 km WSW of Kekaha, Hawaii M4.0 89 km 16 km
Jun 15, 2013 122 km WSW of Ko Olina, Hawaii M3.6 137 km 17 km
Aug 22, 2013 17 km W of M?kaha, Hawaii M2.6 127 km 35 km
Mar 7, 2012 11 km NW of M?kaha, Hawaii M2.5 131 km 33 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
2020 Douglas Category 1 92 mph 89 km
2014 Ana Category 1 81 mph 142 km
1992 Iniki Category 4 144 mph 56 km
1982 Iwa Category 1 92 mph 82 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Dec 17, 1967 EF1 18 km 2.5 mi 0
Dec 13, 2008 EF0 16 km 0.9 mi 0
Dec 4, 2005 EF0 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 9, 2005 EF0 19 km 5.0 mi 0
Feb 7, 2004 EF0 85 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 24, 2002 EF0 30 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 31, 1971 EF0 19 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 18, 1971 EF0 18 km 2.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POKII RIDGE (2,027 acres, 2012).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2012 POKII RIDGE 2,027 22 km
2024 KEKAHA FIRE 1,302 22 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 72°F (22°C) 6.6 in Wettest
February 68°F (20°C) 3.7 in Coldest
March 70°F (21°C) 3.5 in
April 71°F (22°C) 3.2 in
May 72°F (22°C) 2.5 in
June 75°F (24°C) 1.3 in Driest
July 79°F (26°C) 1.7 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 1.7 in
September 76°F (25°C) 1.7 in
October 75°F (24°C) 3.7 in
November 73°F (23°C) 4.8 in
December 70°F (21°C) 5.5 in

Lawai has a seasonal temperature swing of 11°F / from 68°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.6") and June the driest (1.3").

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