August 16-18 2008

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

Lihue, Kauai – 87
Honolulu, Oahu – 87
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 87
Hilo, Hawaii – 84
Kailua-kona – 86

Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level, and on the taller mountains…at 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon:

Barking Sands, Kauai – 88F  
Hilo, Hawaii – 77

Haleakala Crater- 52 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – 36 (near 14,000 feet on the Big Island)

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

0.13 Mount Waialaele, Kauai
0.13 Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
0.00 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.05 Kahoolawe
0.46 West Wailuaiki, Maui
0.19 Mountain View, Big Island

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a high pressure system located to the north of Hawaii. Trade winds will pick up some this weekend, blowing generally in the moderately strong realms…locally stronger and gusty.

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


 

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  Near where I’m staying on the windward side of Oahu
   Photo Credit: flickr.com

 

Our local trade winds will increase in strength some this weekend. The trades will bounce back into the moderately strong category now, after being lighter for a few days recently. The winds are strong enough now, that the NWS has issued a small craft wind advisory for those windiest areas from Molokai down through Maui, to the Big Island. The computer models show the trade winds continuing into next week, with no end in sight to these winds from this vantage point.

We’re into a well established summertime trade wind weather pattern, with just a few windward showers. The leeward sides will be nice and sunny for the most part, with generally dry conditions prevailing. There’s a chance, that former eastern Pacific tropical cyclone Hernan, will bring an increase of tropical moisture towards the Big Island Saturday night…with a possible modest increase in windward showers on the other islands Sunday.

It’s early Saturday morning here in Kailua Beach, on the windward side of Oahu. I had a great experience at the climate conference that I attended Thursday and Friday over in Honolulu. Actually, the conference occurred at the East-West Center, on the campus of the University of Hawaii…Manoa Valley. I was picked up by a good friend after the conference, and brought to the beautiful windward side of Oahu. The picture up this page shows the area, which is simply one of the best beaches in the islands! We kayaked out to a small island offshore (one of the Mokulua’s), swam around in the ocean, and watched the large sea birds swirling around in the trade wind breezes. We paddled back to shore, put the kayak away, and had a great swim in a large pool with a jacuzzi…then sat out in the sunshine and talked story, as we call chatting here in the islands. Last evening we went back into town (Honolulu), which is across the Koolou Mountains from the windward side. We had dinner at a great dinner at a place called Hiroshi’s, met some nice folks there, and then, high-tailed it back to windward side. We’re about ready to go surfing at a north shore surfing spot called Laniakea, where we’ll meet some friends for a surf session. I’ll check back in with you later, that is if I don’t get swept away in the social scene. We have plans to go to a couple of parties this evening, so there’s a good chance that I won’t back with you again until Sunday morning. I hope you have a great Saturday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.