While hurricanes making landfall in Hawaii are very rare events, it’s worth noting that Hawaii’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
When is the peak period for Hurricanes in Hawaii?
Historically, August and September are the peak months for hurricanes in the entire region of the Central Pacific Ocean. So, how many hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii in August and September? Only two hurricanes have hit the Hawaiian Islands in August and September. Those hurricanes were Dot in August 1959 and Iniki in September 1992. Both of those hurricanes made landfall in Kauai.
When is the lowest probably of a hurricane during Hawaii’s hurricane season?
According to this chart, there have been no hurricanes recorded in the entire Central Pacific region in the month of June and very few in the months of October and November. Please note that the chart is for the entire Central Pacific and not just for Hawaii.
What about tropical storms in Hawaii?
Tropical storms are not as severe as hurricanes, but can bring dangerous rain and wind. Two tropical storms have made landfall in the Hawaiian Islands. Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall on the Big Island in August 2014 and Tropical Storm Darby in July 2016.
What about hurricanes that come near Hawaii?
Though, historically, Hawaii has experienced very few direct hits, some hurricanes have passed within 200 nautical miles of the Hawaiian Islands. Though distant, off-shore hurricanes can have some impacts such as rain or ocean swells.
From 1950 to 2021, about 30 hurricanes passed within 200 nautical miles of the Hawaiian Islands. That puts the average number of hurricanes at 0.42 per year. That’s still a low probability of encountering distant hurricane effects during the entire hurricane season. With the hurricane season spanning over six months, that translates into 0.07 hurricanes per month over that 1950 to 2021 period.
We visited Maui in late October 2014 when Hurricane Ana came within 120 miles of the Hawaiian Islands. We still enjoyed warm, sunny days. The only negative effect was that it seemed to us that the humidity seemed a bit higher than normal.
The following photo shows a view of Maui that we took on October 26, 2014, while Hurricane Ana was 120 miles southwest of Hawaii’s Big Island. Notice that the weather looks picture perfect.
For more information on hurricanes in Hawaii
- Central Pacific Hurricane Center – forecasts provided by the National Weather Service
- FAQs about hurricanes in Hawaii
- Hurricanes in Hawaii – historic data published by the University of Hawaii Department of Meteorology
- How Unusual Are Hurricanes, Tropical Storms For Hawaii?
Personally, I wouldn’t be too concerned to plan a visit to Hawaii during hurricane season. Actually, most of our trips to Hawaii have been during hurricane season. How about you? Is Hawaii’s hurricane season a concern for you?
Check out more of what to expect from weather in Hawaii.
For reference, this page was last updated in 2026.
gvhguest
Sheila Beal
3 comments
It probably bears mentioning that the cooler temperatures of the waters around the BIg Island means that hurricanes that draw near lose their power and dissipate without making landfall. If you have had the pleasure of swimming in Big Island oceans, say at Hapuna, you will likely agree that the coolness is not particularly detectable there. Waters on the east side are full of natural springs, and are cooler close in. Very refreshing on a hot island day.
There is no Hurricane Season in Hawaii.In over 150 years only 3 hurricanes have directly hit Hawaii and those were directly over Kaua’i with some residul effects along the Waianae coast of O’ahu. The Big Isle, Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i have never been struck by a hurricane and have suffered little’ if any, residual effects from a passing hurricane. A far better and more accurate statement would be a North/Central Pacific Hurricane Season which could affect Hawaii, however unlikely.
Planning a trip to Maui for my birthday this November. Should we come? Considering the hurricanes that are about to hit the islands ?