Maui weather is all about the wind – most days the tradewinds blow from the east, flow up and around the volcanoes, and across the valley that divides the island.
At 190 Haiku Road, close to the coast and not too far upslope, a gentle breeze keeps the place airy and cool.
Mid-day heat from the flat valley accelerates the trades, from 10-15 kts up to 20-30 kts and more along the north shore coast. Along the north shore, the wind gets stronger going west from Ho’okipa toward Kahului. Maalea, at the leeward end of the valley funnel, is one of the windiest places on earth
The southwest coast, from the pali (cliffs) west of Maalea to Olowalu, can be deceptively calm – strong winds can explode out of the gulches and roar out to sea – dangerous for the unsuspecting.
Rain happens all over Maui. Passing depressions can dump water anywhere and everywhere. Even on clear days, the tradewinds create a distinct rain pattern, by pushing moist ocean air upslope on the volcanoes.
In the morning at 190 Haiku Road, a soft, falling mist often results when the rising sea air cools to the dewpoint. The “mauka shower” soon moves upslope, as the sun warms the ground – rainbows are commonplace over Maliko Gulch – and it’s clear by 10am.
The map shows island rainfall – the darker blue area has over 200 inches a year, the lighter blue area gets 100 to 200 inches a year. The south and west coasts are quite dry. Within the Haiku area, average rainfall diminishes by half, going from the wet upslope eastern side, to the drier downslope, western location of 190 Haiku Road.
dee@deechapon.net 190 Haiku Rd., Haiku, HI 96708
