Where is the NEW sunniest least expensive housing (legal, estimates)

[hotzcatz]

Hmm, a friend mentioned to me the other day that he thought the volcano's new dormancy may affect the weather in Kailua-Kona. Which, one would assume, also include the areas between Volcano and Kailua-Kona which would include Ka'u, Pahala, HOVE, etc. He was thinking there would be more rain than usual since the heat of the volcano wouldn't be drying things out anymore. Not sure if it is a valid line of thought, but maybe?

[Amadrid]

Well I don’t know what the future holds, but we have not been here that long to make any determination however in my conversations with longtime residents the Oceanview area has had a fairly cold winter and a significant amount of rain over previous years

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

If you want real data, go to a website called CoCoRahs. It's a organization of people all over the country who collect rainfall and report it on a daily basis. There are several of us in the Na'alehu/Waiohinu area. Not sure about Ocean View. You can go back and look at records on any day in the past.

Obviously, the higher up you go in Ocean View, the colder it is. We are at 1200', and we've been pretty chilly a couple of times this winter.

[Amadrid]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Obviously, the higher up you go in Ocean View, the colder it is. We are at 1200', and we've been pretty chilly a couple of times this winter.

We are at 3300’. Had lots of cold mornings

[Grassyknoll]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Where are your statistics to back up this claim?

I've heard the number is about 70%.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

.. He was thinking there would be more rain than usual since the heat of the volcano wouldn't be drying things out anymore. Not sure if it is a valid line of thought, but maybe?

Heat? No, I think that's invalid. More likely that the lack of aerosols (vog) could change precipitation patterns back to what they once were. I recall that someone had theorized that the dwindling rain over the Kona slopes in the past couple decades was a result of this phenomenon.

However, the documented drop in strength of trade winds over the same time period may be solely responsible for less rain. Not sure anyone really has a handle on it at this time.

Edit: Here's an article discussing the vog issue: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018...offee-farmers/

[Arktikos]

One more point: Of all Hawaii locations, Hilo has seen the greatest percentage drop in precipitation over the past few decades. However, it still rains a lot there! Last year was a good case in point. With projected effects of climate change, I've seen both an increase and a decrease in rainfall possible for the Hawaiian islands. If trade winds become less prevalent, and they seem to be headed in that direction, it would suggest less rain for windward areas of all islands.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

One more point: Of all Hawaii locations, Hilo has seen the greatest percentage drop in precipitation over the past few decades.

In the period 1920-2012 average annual precipitation has not changed very much in Hilo. Most of the State has had a slow decline in that timeframe except Molokai - however, the most dramatic decline in the entire State is the Kona area. Nothing else is close.

Rainfall Atlas of Hawaii | Rainfall

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

In the period 1920-2012 average annual precipitation has not changed very much in Hilo. Most of the State has had a slow decline in that timeframe except Molokai - however, the most dramatic decline in the entire State is the Kona area. Nothing else is close.

Rainfall Atlas of Hawaii | Rainfall

Interesting. Rather than percentage drop maybe it's just number of inches drop. Or maybe one of the sources is wrong.

However, https://statesummaries.ncics.org/chapter/hi/

"The island of Hawaii has experienced the largest significant long term declines....with annual total precipitation in Hilo decreasing the most at the 4 airports (4?)...a decrease of almost 20 inches since 1950.."

[DeirdreDedra]

In reply to DavePhan, I've been to Hawai'i almost every year since 2006. And I hear you about the cost of living. That's why I was asking about some lower cost areas. I love every part of the Big Island to visit, but would only want to live in the dry, sunny part. So if we can work it financially, there is nowhere else on earth I'd rather live.

That said, the discussion about rain change and the effect of the volcano is very interesting. I guess I'll just keep watching, and maybe things will be more clear for what the future holds. I appreciate the websites and will check them out. I have been hearing similar reports that Amadrid has been hearing. And that's what started this whole line of thought for me. Maybe it's just that one part of the Island that has experienced the unusual weather. Anyways, thanks everyone for your input!