coldest town in Hawaii (Waimea, Volcano: houses, construction, live) - (HI) - City-Data Forum

celcius · 06-25-2009, 03:23 AM

Let's say I wanted to find the highest elevation/coldest settled town or village in Hawaii. I imagine it's probably on either Maui or the Big Island. Where should I look?

survivorqt · 06-25-2009, 05:43 AM

upcountry maui

actually Lanai city on Lanai is always a little cooler for some reason, judging from the news' weather forecast

KonaKat · 06-25-2009, 10:12 AM

Waimea on the Big Island is pretty cool compared to other towns.

PacificFlights · 06-25-2009, 10:31 AM

I have a friend in Volcano on the Big island and they had to have heaters installed in their house as they say it can get a bit cool at times.

GregW · 06-25-2009, 10:47 AM

Real cold is illegal on Hawaii by legislative action except on the summit of Mauna Loa.

Jungjohann · 06-25-2009, 12:07 PM

Upper Kula on Maui definitely gets cold. Buddy of mine built a house way up above the Kula Lodge at around the 5000 foot plus elevation point, his fireplace and pot belly stove saw a lot of use. Way up in Olinda gets chilly as well, also has a tendency to be "in the clouds" when a storm or rain showers are passing by. But, if you want some real, okole freezing cold, you'ld enjoy Science City, elevation 10,000 foot, summit of Haleakala, where all the observatories are located. Was working construction up there in 1980, we had some lumber delivered the previous day, right out of the treatment plant, we arrive the following morning shortly before sunrise to unpack and spread out the lumber, and can't. Slight problem, IT'S FROZEN SOLID!!!! No joke,,,.

Aloha and okolemaluna

hotzcatz · 06-25-2009, 01:03 PM

Temperature in Hawaii is very dependent on elevation. Which ever hamlet or housing area has the highest elevation is most likely going to be the coldest.

The observatories would be the coldest since they are the highest. I don't think anyone actually lives up there, though, I think their housing is down around the 4,000 foot level near the ranger station. They have the coldest work environment in Hawaii, though.

Requiring a "settled town or village" means more than just a few houses? On the island of Hawaii, I'd guess Volcano village, although Waimea/Kamuela (the town goes by two names) is pretty windy to go with their elevation, but I think they are lower than Volcano.

celcius · 06-25-2009, 01:47 PM

Thanks for the information guys! I looked into the Upper Kula area on Maui and that seems to best fit what I am looking for. There are some neat houses on Crater Road/Haleakala Hwy up past the 5000' and 6000' elevation mark that seem very attractive. This is the area I'm looking for.

I suppose I don't need an actual town or village. I just said that to narrow down my search as I don't know the area well. I thought there might be a town that alone was above 5000' elevation, but it seems that even one town can vary in elevation quite dramatically.

The reason I ask all of this is because I'm at heart a New Englander, and am in love with a particular house design most people know as the "ski lodge." Fire place, stone croppings, open den-dining-kitchen, etc. My dream (apparently for when I become filthy rich, as I research the high house values of upper Kula!) would be to build one up in a high, cold & rural place. A mountain escape, if you will, even though I don't actually ski or do winter sports.

Again, thanks for the help. I'll keep looking!

LindseyLou · 06-25-2009, 02:08 PM

I'm just curious. What would be considered a "cold temperature" in Hawaii?

celcius · 06-25-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindseyLou

I'm just curious. What would be considered a "cold temperature" in Hawaii?

People think differently. Most people in Hawaii consider anything below 70 cold.

For the purposes of this thread, I was thinking 30s and possibly 20s in the winter. I want to see snow at my "ski lodge"-style house at least a few times per year. Not sure if it's possible or not where even remote civilization is.