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Weather & Climate in Punaluu, HI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Punaluu has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (25°C). Winters average 73°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 50.8 inches (wetter 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 6 feet.
Temperature
73°F Jan (23°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 76.2°F |
| 41% above US avg | |
| January Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 534/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 21.5819°N, 157.8896°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Honolulu |
| County | Honolulu County County |
| Nearest Airport | Daniel K Inouye International (HNL) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 24.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | No Rating |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Relatively High |
| Volcano | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
57 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Mar 9, 2017 | 70 km NNE of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.7 | 108 km | 32 km |
| Jun 21, 2013 | 49 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.5 | 91 km | 35 km |
| Aug 22, 2014 | 54 km SW of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.2 | 93 km | 6 km |
| May 20, 2005 | 28 km ENE of Ka‘a‘awa, Hawaii | M4.1 | 31 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2014 | 5 km ESE of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.1 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Jun 1, 2006 | 66 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M4.1 | 95 km | 31 km |
| Oct 23, 1991 | 29 km NW of Maunaloa, Hawaii | M4.0 | 58 km | 23 km |
| Jul 19, 2010 | 37 km S of Honolulu, Hawaii | M3.9 | 68 km | 3 km |
| Sep 17, 1996 | 109 km NNE of Waialua, Hawaii | M3.9 | 149 km | 32 km |
| Aug 15, 2002 | Oahu region, Hawaii | M3.9 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 1991 | 24 km NNE of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M3.8 | 102 km | 4 km |
| May 29, 2014 | 56 km NNW of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M3.8 | 77 km | 30 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 11 km ESE of Waim?nalo Beach, Hawaii | M3.7 | 45 km | 33 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 27 km SSE of East Honolulu, Hawaii | M3.7 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Sep 16, 2017 | 34 km NE of Marine Corps Base Hawaii - MCBH, Hawaii | M3.7 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 1993 | 16 km WNW of Lanai City, Hawaii | M3.6 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Jun 4, 2018 | 13 km S of East Honolulu, Hawaii | M3.6 | 50 km | 32 km |
| Apr 30, 1993 | 31 km N of Kualapu‘u, Hawaii | M3.5 | 93 km | 15 km |
| Aug 23, 2017 | 24 km NNE of Waialua, Hawaii | M3.5 | 132 km | 13 km |
| Apr 9, 1995 | 49 km NE of Waialua, Hawaii | M3.5 | 146 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 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 | 77 km |
| 2018 | Lane | Category 1 | 75 mph | 300 km |
| 2016 | Lester | Category 1 | 75 mph | 220 km |
| 2014 | Ana | Category 1 | 81 mph | 205 km |
| 1992 | Iniki | Category 4 | 144 mph | 198 km |
| 1982 | Iwa | Category 1 | 92 mph | 194 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 18, 1982 | EF2 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1982 | EF2 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1982 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1988 | EF1 | 32 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | EF1 | 29 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1971 | EF1 | 17 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1963 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1963 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1957 | EF1 | 20 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2015 | EF0 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2012 | EF0 | 28 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 2004 | EF0 | 23 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1989 | EF0 | 15 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1986 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1985 | EF0 | 10 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 1983 | EF0 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 1975 | EF0 | 40 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1965 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Haleakala (196 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Haleakala | Shield | 3,055 m (10,023 ft) | 1750 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MILILANI (1,717 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | MILILANI | 1,717 | 12 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73°F (23°C) | 10.5 in | |
| February | 68°F (20°C) | 8.9 in | Coldest |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 10.6 in | |
| April | 69°F (21°C) | 10.0 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 5.5 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 73°F (23°C) | 7.0 in | |
| November | 72°F (22°C) | 11.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 70°F (21°C) | 11.2 in |
Punaluu has a seasonal temperature swing of 11°F / from 68°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 93.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (11.9") and June the driest (3.7").