Hawaii's weather compared to Florida? (Kailua: house, moving to, humidity)

[logybogy]

I've noticed the tempertures don't get as hot as Florida. Looks like it rarely gets hotter than the middle and upper 80's. Sounds nicer than what I've used to with high humidity and the 90's during the summer.

What's the climate like from people that have lived in or visited both places?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

The short answer is "it depends". The long answer is that the temperature varies depending on how far you are from the ocean and what elevation you are. Our house on the Big Island is at 1200 feet and we are about 5 miles from the ocean. We get a steady trade wind and so we don't need air conditioning. Florida doesn't get trade winds!

When we go to Kona, however, it is more like Florida -- hot and muggy. Kona is right at sea level and doesn't get the steady winds to cool things off. You absolutely need air conditioning if you want a good night's sleep. And you're right, the temperature usually hovers around the low 80's. Certainly doesn't get as hot as Florida.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

The short answer is "it depends". The long answer is that the temperature varies depending on how far you are from the ocean and what elevation you are. Our house on the Big Island is at 1200 feet and we are about 5 miles from the ocean. We get a steady trade wind and so we don't need air conditioning. Florida doesn't get trade winds!

When we go to Kona, however, it is more like Florida -- hot and muggy. Kona is right at sea level and doesn't get the steady winds to cool things off. You absolutely need air conditioning if you want a good night's sleep. And you're right, the temperature usually hovers around the low 80's. Certainly doesn't get as hot as Florida.

That sounds beautiful.

To the OP, S and central Florida cannot be compared to Hawaii. The weather in S Florida was unbearable from March to October. Central air needed 24/7. Humidity awful. I have visited Maui and Oahu. I believe they have no humidity, and as they are surrounded by water, trade winds as mentioned above.

sunny

[firecoach]

I didnt realize it gets as icky muggy like FL can....I am moving to Kailua-Kona for 3 months from Aug. - Nov. I assume this will be a good time to see how muggy it actually gets, huh??

[dreamofmonterey]

Florida is also flat and has a swamp like climate (look up Everglades) . I think I read that Hawaii and maybe Switzerland have the most perfect climate/least humidity.

sunny