Rainfall on Hawaiʻi Island ranges from desert-dry to rainforest-wet, sometimes within a short drive. Across the twelve areas I profile, median annual rainfall runs from about 9 inches (Kohala Coast) to about 153 inches (Hilo). Temperature mostly follows elevation: higher ground is cooler.
Driest to wettest
| Area | Median rain / yr | Range (10th–90th pct) | Mean temp | Median elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kohala Coast | 9 in | 8–9 in | 75 °F | 49 ft |
| Waikoloa Village | 11 in | 10–13 in | 73 °F | 646 ft |
| Kona Palisades & Kalaoa | 19 in | 13–37 in | 73 °F | 349 ft |
| Kailua-Kona | 31 in | 20–44 in | 74 °F | 264 ft |
| Kaʻū & Ocean View | 31 in | 26–38 in | 67 °F | 2,179 ft |
| Keauhou | 39 in | 34–49 in | 73 °F | 517 ft |
| Waimea (Kamuela) | 39 in | 20–71 in | 64 °F | 2,894 ft |
| Hōlualoa | 45 in | 33–56 in | 63 °F | 3,241 ft |
| Kealakekua & Captain Cook | 53 in | 36–63 in | 67 °F | 2,036 ft |
| North Kohala (Hāwī & Kapaʻau) | 58 in | 49–68 in | 72 °F | 640 ft |
| Puna | 135 in | 93–203 in | 68 °F | 1,376 ft |
| Hilo | 153 in | 129–203 in | 71 °F | 349 ft |
How to use this
These are long-term averages across each area's Census boundary, from the University of Hawaiʻi Rainfall Atlas (1978–2007 base period) and Climate of Hawaiʻi temperature maps. Conditions at a single property can differ, so visit at different times of day and in different seasons if you can. Each area guide has the full detail.
General information only, not legal, insurance or lending advice. Data checked October 22, 2026. Lava zones and climate vary by parcel; verify for any specific property.
Sources
- Giambelluca et al. (2013), Rainfall Atlas of Hawaiʻi, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: mean annual rainfall grid (1978–2007 base period): rainfall.geography.hawaii.edu
- Giambelluca et al. (2014), Climate of Hawaiʻi, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: mean annual air temperature grid: climate.geography.hawaii.edu
- USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), 1 arc-second (~30 m) DEM and Elevation Point Query Service: usgs.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau, TIGERweb 2020 Census Designated Places and County Subdivisions (boundaries used to define each area): tigerweb.geo.census.gov