Hawaii weather in May
The state broadly agrees with itself in May: afternoons run 87° in Kahului (Maui) and 81° in Hilo, with everywhere else in between.
Based on 5 weather stations. Five stations across four islands, all near sea level — the leeward-versus-windward difference shows up here, but upcountry and volcano-summit weather is another world these numbers don’t reach.
Oahu
Highs near 85°, nights around 72°, and 0.8 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | 85° / 72° | 2 | Long light, calm mornings, ocean warm enough to linger. |
Maui
Highs near 87°, nights around 68°, and 0.7 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului (Maui) | 87° / 68° | 2 | The quiet gap between whale season and school holidays. |
Kauai
Highs near 82°, nights around 71°, and 2.2 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lihue (Kauai) | 82° / 71° | 4 | Long days, warm sea, and rates that haven't caught up. |
Big Island, Kona side
Highs near 84°, nights around 73°, and 0.6 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua-Kona | 84° / 73° | 2 | The month before the crowds, with the water already warm. |
Big Island, Hilo side
Highs near 81°, nights around 67°, and 7.0 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 81° / 67° | 14 | The year's driest, which here just means fewer downpours. |
Each place above has its own page for the full story — what the month feels like, what to pack, and whether the timing is right.