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These two places are roughly "mirror images" with respect to the equator (i.e., roughly same longitude and distance from the equator). They are both favorite holiday destinations for, respectively, Americans and New Zealanders. Yet they have significant differences in climate. Which do you prefer?
Sunshine data is not available for Avarua, but I imagine it would be at least a few hundred hours shy of Honolulu's total (2500 - 2600 hrs?). Perhaps RWood can shed some light on this.
Honolulu is way to dry, so Avarua, but the rainfall still isn't even throughout the year as I'd like it. I like the windward sides of the Hawaiian Islands over the leeward sides.
These two places are roughly "mirror images" with respect to the equator (i.e., roughly same longitude and distance from the equator). They are both favorite holiday destinations for, respectively, Americans and New Zealanders. Yet they have significant differences in climate. Which do you prefer?
Sunshine data is not available for Avarua, but I imagine it would be at least a few hundred hours shy of Honolulu's total (2500 - 2600 hrs?). Perhaps RWood can shed some light on this.
With that rainfall, probably no more than 2200 hours or so. Rarotonga averages about 2150. You have to be further north and east to get anywhere near Honolulu's average. The leeward side of Fiji at Nandi gets about 2550, and even up at Tarawa the total is only about 2550-2600 (with a very large variability related to ENSO).
Honolulu in a canter for me - much drier and sunnier.
With that rainfall, probably no more than 2200 hours or so. Rarotonga averages about 2150. You have to be further north and east to get anywhere near Honolulu's average. The leeward side of Fiji at Nandi gets about 2550, and even up at Tarawa the total is only about 2550-2600 (with a very large variability related to ENSO).
Honolulu in a canter for me - much drier and sunnier.
It seems strange that Rarotonga is only marginally sunnier than ChCh. The Pacific Islands tend to be in the lower 2000s bracket it seems.
Honolulu would be my choice, but the difference is not huge. Honolulu is sunny and drier, which should (?) mean a more stable climate, with less chances that rain/cloud would spoil the day.
The only other thing worth considering is SST (surf temps) of both places. In winter SST in Honolulu are normally in the low 70's (a bit cooler than southern Florida which is about 77 F), but people still have no problem swimming in Hawaii in winter. Of course, those are average, I've seen SST around Hawaii in the 78 F range in mid winter and as cool as the upper 60's. So if the Cook Islands had warmer or more stable SST I might go with them.
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