July 4-5 2008


Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Friday: 

Lihue, Kauai – 84
Honolulu, Oahu – 89
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 86
Hilo, Hawaii – 86
Kailua-kona – 85

Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon:

Barking Sands, Kauai – 88F  
Princeville, Kauai – 77

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Friday afternoon:

2.36  Mount Waialaele, Kauai
1.46 Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
0.00 Molokai
0.02 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
0.50 Puu Kukui, Maui
0.57 Glenwood, Big Island

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a 1025 millibar high pressure system located far to the northwest of the islands. This high pressure cell, along with its associated ridges, will keep our trade winds blowing. Look for light to moderately strong winds, with those windier areas finding stronger gusts into Sunday. Here’s a link to the NOAA weather school.

Satellite and Radar Images: To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon weather conditions.

Aloha Paragraphs


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/458036592_6f0872e32b.jpg?v=0
Happy 4th of July!
Photo Credit: Flickr.com







The trade winds will be our primary weather influence through the 4th of July holiday weekend. The latest weather map shows a 1025 millibar high pressure system located to the north-northwest of Hawaii Friday night. These trade winds will blow generally in the light to moderately strong range, although with those typically windier areas…finding somewhat stronger gusts. These winds will continue through the weekend, right on into the new week ahead.

These trade winds will blow some showers onto our windward sides at times…mostly generously during the nights and early mornings.  During the next week or so, those windward sides will find off and on showers, probably more off than than on…with modest increases at times. The leeward sides in contrast, will generally remain dry, with lots of sunshine beaming down during the days. Some of the leeward upslope areas, like Kona on the Big Island in particular, may find some afternoon or evening showers falling too.





~~~ Our weather here in the Hawaiian Islands will remain just fine during the 4th of July holiday weekend. The trade winds will continue to bring their cooling relief from the early summer heat…along with ventilating whatever smoke from fireworks that tries to accumulate. The leeward sides of the islands in particular, will be fabulous, with great sun tanning potentials along those sandy beaches. There will be small south swell waves breaking too, making for a fun time in the surf. Daytime high temperatures will be rising well into the 80F’s, with those hottest areas reaching perhaps 90F degrees.

~~~ The windward sides, will be pretty good, although, as usual, there will be more wind blowing there. At the same time, that wind will help to carry clouds ashore, brought in from the ocean to our east. These clouds will spill a few showers at times, but nothing remarkable is expected. The windward slopes will find the heaviest rainfall, although again most areas will find light amounts…some most leeward beaches remaining totally dry.

~~~ It’s early Friday evening here in Kula, Maui. This 4th of July holiday weekend will be just fine, with good weather for most outdoor activities. The only showers that you might run into, will be along the windward sides. Last evening after work I went to see the new film called Hancock (2008), starring Will Smith and Jason Bateman, along with beautiful Charlize Theron among others. This film hasn’t gotten top scores by the critics, with one review saying: "Though it begins with promise, Hancock suffers from a flimsy narrative and poor execution." I don’t know if its just me, or what, but I liked the film quite a bit! I guess I don’t look for the weak points, but just enjoy being swept away into some other wild world. I suppose I let go pretty easily, and just become part of the movie, without sitting there waiting critically for what’s wrong. I would give it a solid B grade, at least for what kind of film it tried to be. Here’s a trailer, if you’re interested in seeing a sneak preview of this new adventure film. I went surfing in Lahaina this morning, then slipped right back into my regular Saturday schedule, although it was Friday…which was putting in Sprecklesville, walking and swimming at Baldwin Beach, and then back upcountry to Kula. I’m looking forward to seeing the fireworks down in Wailea once it gets dark, that is if the clouds, and light mist clears a little later this evening. I bbq’d some organic chicken thighs for dinner. I plan to head back over to Lahaina again early tomorrow morning for a second round of surfing, and then have a party to go to in Wailea Saturday afternoon. I hope you have a great Friday night, wherever you are celebrating the holiday! I catch up with you again Saturday morning with your next weather narrative from paradise. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Honolulu City Lights music video…Keola and Kapono Beamer

Somewhere over the Rainbow…Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ)


Hula Dancing