Elevation and Climate changes on the Big Island

[HiloDiver]

Stuck in Chicago in the winter? Huh? Not even a remote possibility. I think you missed that I wrote

Many people laugh at us and don't find it to be cold but we do. So how you react to it will depend on what you are accustomed to.

Surfing in shorts is nuts. I boogie board in a wetsuit and I freeze.

[whtviper1]

Feelings of being cold - when most people aren't should be looked at by a doctor.

Conditions that make you feel cold despite the temperature are:

Anemia

Hypoglycemia

Peripheral Vascular Disease

TB

Vitamin B dificiency

[HiloDiver]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Feelings of being cold - when most people aren't are indicative of spending a lifetime in a hot climate and not being used to their new climate.

Fixed that for ya. Believe me, neither of us very healthy people needs to see a doctor.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by daijoubu

BI is without a doubt the most extreme of all the islands, from tropical beaches to snow and arctic conditions on the Mt. summits. Not many places in the world, you can surf in shorts, drive 2 hours then go ski

Exactly, but also it's a simple matter of damp + wind = chill for some people in a wide range of situations. I can go out on a sailboat on a warm day and need a jacket many times, especially late in the day with a stiff breeze on the water. And most of the year I need at least a blanket for my feet, and I often slip on a hoodie as soon as I get out of bed in the morning unless the air temperature is in the mid 70s or better.

Coupla years ago I had a funny experience at the J. Hara General Store in Kurtistown. I would guess that Mr. Hara is in his mid 70s or better and I suppose he is normally working in the office upstairs, because I had never seen him around the store until this particular day. On Fridays, however, I understand he can often be spotted hanging around near the main cash register and greeting the customers, chatting with old friends, etc. On this particular day the morning had been cool in Volcano, I was on a run down to Hilo for something, and I stopped at J. Hara for to buy a snack. When I got near the register Mr. Hara smiled and greeted me, and said "Coming down from Volcano?" I nodded yes, and asked "How did you know?" He smiled even more broadly and plucked at his arm at the elbow, while glancing down at mine. When I looked where he was looking, I was still wearing my long-sleeved hoodie, while everyone around me was in short sleeves, because the day was already WARM in Kurtistown. I laughed, he laughed, and ever since then, on the rare occasions when I've run into him since then he plucks at his elbow a little and smiles, no matter what I'm wearing.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Feelings of being cold - when most people aren't should be looked at by a doctor.

Conditions that make you feel cold despite the temperature are:

Anemia

Hypoglycemia

Peripheral Vascular Disease

TB

Vitamin B dificiency

Or else they just moved to Hawaii from a steaming hot tropical island and they have not yet adjusted.

[HiloDiver]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Or else they just moved to Hawaii from a steaming hot tropical island and they have not yet adjusted.

Ya think? Spouse lived on that island 34 years. I grew up in the desert and spent my adult life in South Florida including the Keys. I'm not sure we will ever adjust!

[KauaiHiker]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Conditions that make you feel cold despite the temperature are:

Anemia
Hypoglycemia
Peripheral Vascular Disease
TB
Vitamin B dificiency

Great point. I will add hypothyroidism and perhaps adrenal issues. These two glands produce hormones that regulate metabolism, thus body heat. I speak from family experience.

I always used to believe the thin blood/thick blood explanation when changing climates, but newer research disproves it apparently (sorry, don't have the references right now). Now, thanks to the internet, I don't know what to believe.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

Great point. I will add hypothyroidism and perhaps adrenal issues. These two glands produce hormones that regulate metabolism, thus body heat. I speak from family experience.

I always used to believe the thin blood/thick blood explanation when changing climates, but newer research disproves it apparently (sorry, don't have the references right now). Now, thanks to the internet, I don't know what to believe.

I work in the healthcare industry - around docs just about everyday.

And they will tell you, if you aren't acclimating to a climate - and if you are the only one in wetsuit at a beach and still cold when everyone else isn't - or need electric blankets in a area where your counterparts don't need them - the doc will you tell you there is a concern. Just sayin.