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Weather & Climate in Makawao, HI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Makawao enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 67°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 23.0 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 1,627 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 63.9°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,627 ft (496 m) |
| Area | 3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,046/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 20.8480°N, 156.3190°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Honolulu |
| County | Maui County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellison Onizuka Kona International At Keahole (KOA) 82 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 24.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 86.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,135 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 14, 2019 | 20 km E of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M5.3 | 135 km | 13 km |
| Jul 15, 2005 | 50 km NNE of Pa‘auilo, Hawaii | M5.3 | 132 km | 15 km |
| Jul 5, 2021 | 12 km NNW of Kukuihaele, Hawaii | M5.2 | 100 km | 27 km |
| Jun 27, 1998 | 51 km NW of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M5.1 | 87 km | 4 km |
| Mar 20, 1995 | Maui region, Hawaii | M4.8 | 91 km | 13 km |
| May 11, 1995 | 5 km NNE of Pa‘auilo, Hawaii | M4.8 | 132 km | 14 km |
| Apr 1, 2016 | 85 km NNE of Pa‘auilo, Hawaii | M4.7 | 129 km | 33 km |
| Mar 9, 2017 | 70 km NNE of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.7 | 117 km | 32 km |
| Aug 2, 1990 | 22 km SE of Waikoloa, Hawaii | M4.7 | 135 km | 16 km |
| Jan 25, 2022 | 10 km NNE of Wailua, Hawaii | M4.7 | 26 km | 41 km |
| May 22, 2022 | 3 km NW of H?lualoa, Hawaii | M4.7 | 139 km | 9 km |
| Feb 17, 2017 | 25 km WNW of Puako, Hawaii | M4.7 | 91 km | 40 km |
| Mar 20, 2016 | 13 km SE of Waikoloa, Hawaii | M4.6 | 129 km | 30 km |
| Mar 20, 2022 | 21 km SSE of Waimea, Hawaii | M4.5 | 135 km | 24 km |
| Mar 9, 2010 | 19 km SW of Laup?hoehoe, Hawaii | M4.5 | 149 km | 30 km |
| Nov 22, 1998 | 30 km NW of H?w?, Hawaii | M4.5 | 56 km | 26 km |
| Apr 5, 2015 | 12 km W of Kalaoa, Hawaii | M4.5 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Jun 21, 2013 | 49 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.5 | 110 km | 35 km |
| Aug 7, 2014 | 12 km NNE of Puako, Hawaii | M4.5 | 102 km | 15 km |
| Oct 20, 2011 | 21 km SE of Waimea, Hawaii | M4.5 | 135 km | 16 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Hone | Category 1 | 86 mph | 253 km |
| 2020 | Douglas | Category 1 | 92 mph | 67 km |
| 2018 | Lane | Category 2 | 104 mph | 293 km |
| 2016 | Lester | Category 1 | 81 mph | 184 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 11, 2011 | EF0 | 16 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2008 | EF0 | 65 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2006 | EF0 | 9 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2006 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 29, 1974 | EF0 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.1 m (0 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2006 | HAWAII | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 115 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Haleakala (17 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Haleakala | Shield | 3,055 m (10,023 ft) | 1750 | 17 km |
| Hualalai | Shield | 2,523 m (8,278 ft) | 1801 | 137 km |
| Mauna Kea | Shield | 4,205 m (13,796 ft) | -2460 | 145 km |
| Mauna Loa | Shield | 4,170 m (13,681 ft) | 1984 | 170 km |
| Kilauea | Shield | 1,222 m (4,009 ft) | 2018 | 192 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAUNAKAKAI (8,355 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | KAUNAKAKAI | 8,355 | 76 km |
| 2019 | WAIKO RD | 7,915 | 14 km |
| 2016 | MAALAEA | 6,028 | 25 km |
| 2023 | PULEHU | 5,712 | 11 km |
| 2019 | CENTRAL MAUI | 5,530 | 8 km |
| 2016 | KAHIKINUI | 5,341 | 25 km |
| 2007 | OLOWALU | 2,549 | 32 km |
| 2007 | UPPER WAIOHULI | 2,376 | 18 km |
| 2023 | LAHAINA | 2,129 | 36 km |
| 2022 | KAUAULU VALLEY | 1,920 | 33 km |
| 2005 | AKONE-PULE HWY | 1,148 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F (16°C) | 7.6 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 67°F (20°C) | 6.2 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 7.0 in | |
| April | 69°F (20°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 2.1 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| October | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 71°F (21°C) | 6.8 in | |
| December | 68°F (20°C) | 6.3 in |
Makawao has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 61°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 55.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.6") and September the driest (2.0").