Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs / August 17-18, 2008

August 17-18 2008

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

Lihue, Kauai – 86
Honolulu, Oahu – 87
Kaneohe, Oahu – 84
Kahului, Maui – 88
Hilo, Hawaii – 84
Kailua-kona – 86

Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level, and on the taller mountains…at 8 p.m. Sunday evening:

Barking Sands, Kauai – 81F  
Hilo, Hawaii – 73

Haleakala Crater- 43 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – 37 (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 Sunday evening:

2.38 Mount Waialaele, Kauai
0.54 Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
0.01 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
0.71 Puu Kukui, Maui
0.24 Glenwood, Big Island

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a 1026 millibar high pressure system located far to the north of Hawaii. Our local trade winds will remain active, blowing generally at the moderately strong level, although locally stronger in those windier areas…a little lighter Tuesday.

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

  Waimanalo Beach on the windward side of Oahu
   Photo Credit: flickr.com

Our local trade winds have increased in strength some this weekend…remaining moderately strong through Monday. The winds are strong enough now, that the NWS is keeping a small craft wind advisory active for those windiest areas from Molokai down through Maui, to the Big Island. The computer models show the trade winds continuing into the new week, although coming down in strength a little starting Tuesday onward.

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…although with some high cirrus clouds sweeping overhead at times. Former eastern Pacific tropical cyclone Hernan, now just a harmless trough of low pressure, is moving by south of the Hawaiian Islands. The northern fringe may clip the southern portion of the Big Island, but the other islands in the chain won’t see any showers from this source of moisture.

It’s early Sunday 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! Saturday my friend (Kaleo Ahina) and I went surfing on the north shore, at a surf spot called Laniakea…a famous winter time surf spot. While out there I was introduced to one of the most well known stars of the surfing world (Ken Bradshaw), who I was flattered to find out watches my TV weather show most days. We stopped by another good friend’s house on the way back home (Ian Masterson), and had a good visit at this beach side farm. Then it was back home, for a short nap, and a quick shot of espresso. We, Kaleo and his lovely wife Rebecca, who will be having a baby in 12 days, then drove a short distance over to an estate right on Lanikai Beach, for a swim in the ocean, and then into the big pool and jacuzzi on this amazing, coconut palm tree studded property. We headed out to two parties that evening, and ended up dancing pool side to a great live band…under the full moon!

~~~ After a good night’s sleep, with the most lovely passing showers falling on the roof, we’re about to have a nice breakfast, with a shot or two of fresh espresso. We then will head out to Waimanalo Beach, to hopefully meet another friend, who happens to be the foremost surf forecaster in the state of Hawaii (Pat Caldwell). We’re hoping to do a bit of bodysurfing in the warm ocean. This has been a dream mini-vacation, to say the least! I head back to Maui during the afternoon, on a quick 22 minute flight from Oahu. I’m pretty sure that I’ll be tuckered out when I get back home to Kula, so that I think we’d better plan on having my next update on this website, be very early Monday morning. I hope you have a great Sunday wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.