Humidity (Kahului: wood floors, house, tile)

[georgiabelle]

What is the best way to acclimate to the humidity? Any helpful
ideas? And I guess the trade winds really help too. But the best
ways for the body and person to adjust to the humidity.
Thank you

[KoaHawaii]

I don't think there are any pointers really, rather your body over time will just naturally adjust to the environment. just keep hydrated as you will be sweating with all the humidity. sorry this isn't really what you're looking for but you're body will do all it on its own, for some it takes longer than others to adjust but eventually you will

[Jungjohann]

I remember getting off the plane in Kahului, back in 1976, before they had the rollout walkways,,, getting to the bottom of the steps, and thinking, "Man, this is friggin hot!!!!!!!!", It may have been in the mid eighties or so,,,,,,,, Well, here I am, 33 years later, it may get down to 75 in a bit, not to worry, I found a sweater. And it can get humid, on the humid side of the Island, the less humid side of the Island always stays relatively dry. And, the tradewinds are free air-conditioning,,, what a blessing!!!

Aloha and okolemaluna

[KonaKat]

For your comfort, wear cotton, rayon fabrics (including your unmentionables!). They breathe. Nylon type knits are hot. Lightweight, not too tight. I don't even have a pair of jeans anymore. (well, one that I can wear if we go to the mainland) It will take a year or so to really get used to it. I moved here from Las Vegas, omg I thought I would just melt and we live up about 800' elevation. Now after almost 5 years, I am cold if it's under 75 and use a light blanket most nights year round. Two in the "winter". 60 to 65 is just unbearable. The humidity does not bother me as much either although I do kinda miss how fast things would dry in the desert, like your laundry or a bath towel. But you get used to it and make adjustments. Don't leave your clothes in the washer even 30 minutes or you're gonna have smelly mildew. Little throw rugs hung outside can take 2 days easy, to dry. Leave your closet doors open and don't have the closet jam-packed. Leather will mildew easily so if you have leather shoes that you don't wear often, check them once in awhile.

We went back to Nevada last year, also Missouri, Oklahoma and California. Thought I would dry up and just disappear in a puff of dust! It's funny how you get used to things.

[hotzcatz]

Yup, KonaKat has it right about the fabric content being important. 100% silk is my fabric of choice for staying cool and dry. Liberty House used to have these wonderful 100% raw silk tee shirts. It was thick knitted silk with slubs and they came in great colors and they were even cheap in the Penthouse section of Liberty House. Unfortunately for your dilemma, as far as I can find out they don't even make that knitted raw silk fabric anymore. Liberty house got bought out by Macy's, too, so I can't even ask them.

100% cotton helps a lot, don't wear any makeup or skin creme, too, since that seems to keep your skin from breathing. Nobody wears nylons, either, since those things are miserable in high humidity.

When looking at places to live, check to make sure they have access to the tradewinds and the rooms in the house have excellent cross ventilation. Also a huge covered lanai helps a lot, too. Stay in the shade and drink cool things.

[TXLara]

You'll get used to it sooner than that. I just went back to the mainland and didn't realize HOW adjusted to the humidity I was until:

1. My hair was complete static after one washing
2. Nosebleeds! My sinuses hate me.
3. My skin is so dry. I have to lather up with lotion repeatedly.
4. Ditto for chapstick.

The only thing I can think of to help you is to maybe get a small warm air humidifier for your bedroom and start sleeping with it on. This will give your sinuses a chance to get used to the extra moisture. And stock up on some of the Benedryl Extra Strength Sinus and Allergy (the blue ones). Those helped me a lot when I first got there.

Just get used to having your hair not look great for the first few weeks. Pull it back into clips or ponytails a lot. It'll adjust too. And you won't even want to wear base or foundation after a while. I skipped that step and went straight to powder and blush. The base just sweated right off. Spray anti-perspirant works really well. And I agree- don't wear denim!

Good luck!

[AlohaMarie]

I live in North Carolina during the summer and come to Hawaii during the winter. I am always amazed at how fresh and humid free the air is!! Humidity is a relative thing.

[KonaKat]

Marie, I agree. I used to live in Missouri, and the humidity there is so oppressive. It is warm and humid here but not the energy sapping oppressive humidity like Missouri, Oklahoma, your state. The fresh ocean breezes mitigate that to a huge extent.

Georgiabelle, I thought of a couple other things. No carpet! tile and "faux" wood or real wood floors don't harbor dampness and associated icky mildew issues like carpet does. Since nothing EVER really dries out completely here, keep carpet out of your house. I also like furniture that has wooden, wicker, or rattan (even metal) frames that cushions just sit on, not a lot of upholstery. Anything to allow air to circulate. Louvred doors on closets and pantries, etc.

[montel325]

Dude im guessing by the name that you are from Ga. Well, compared to the east coast the humidity is nothing you havent seen and you really dont need to prepare AT ALL. no worries

[nwcountrygal]

LOL TXLara

Agree with everything you have said. I am from WA state - rain all the time here and my sinus' hate me also back on mainland - just returned from the Big Island been there almost 3months.

The humidity was the only thing I had to adjust to. I remember one day after toweling off from the shower - yep used the towel day before - still damp - grabbed cloths - yep they were damp- everything still damp. Even though I dryed them well before put away. Dont pull things out of dryer till totally dry. Decided ok this is just something have to get used to. After a couple of weeks I did.

Gave up doing my hair - just left it wet - let dry natural. Gave up on foundation - just sweats off - besides I did get a base tan on face who needs it! Lotion used but on face just sweats off. Wore only cotton or silk. Bought air freashner for car. Only thing I really had to cope with was wash beach booties often with joy soap- as for leaving in car -- they can get really smelly. Only wear slippers and cloths only loose. Drink lots of water. Leave windows open in house -

As far as getting used to it - I believe you just do. I will trade all weather conditions for it. Bones dont ache always warm - although I did aclimate - sweat shirt on when it got down to 67 degrees. It really isn't that bad as far as the trade offs for the warmth and location.