What to Wear in Honolulu
USA · 9 monthly packing guides
Honolulu runs Pacific tropical year-round — Aloha shirt heritage register: Reyn Spooner (Hawaii-founded 1956, the heritage reverse-print Aloha shirt); Tori Richard (Hawaii-founded 1956); Kahala (Hawaii-founded 1936, the original Aloha-shirt brand — Eddie Vedder + Jimmy Buffett favored); Manuheali'i (contemporary Hawaiian); Ali'i Antiques heritage muumuu; Tommy Bahama (Florida but Hawaii-popular). Hawaii state law (Senate Bill 2571, since January 2021) bans oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens — reef-safe (zinc-based) SPF 50 mandatory at all beaches. Year-round consistent climate (24-31°C / 75-88°F afternoons; 7 rain days/month average). Trade winds (Hawaii easterlies). Waikiki + Diamond Head + Hanauma Bay (snorkel reservation required since 2021). Hawaii dining 18:00-21:00.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 19°C / 66°F in January; average highs reach 31°C / 88°F in October.
Compare Honolulu by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 19°C / 66°F | 27°C / 81°F | 8 | 11h 00m |
| February packing guide | 20°C / 68°F | 27°C / 81°F | 8 | 11h 25m |
| May packing guide | 22°C / 72°F | 28°C / 82°F | 7 | 13h 25m |
| June packing guide | 23°C / 73°F | 29°C / 84°F | 5 | 13h 25m |
| July packing guide | 24°C / 75°F | 30°C / 86°F | 7 | 13h 20m |
| August packing guide | 24°C / 75°F | 30°C / 86°F | 4 | 12h 50m |
| October packing guide | 23°C / 73°F | 31°C / 88°F | 8 | 11h 40m |
| November packing guide | 22°C / 72°F | 29°C / 84°F | 9 | 11h 05m |
| December packing guide | 21°C / 70°F | 28°C / 82°F | 9 | 10h 50m |
Choose your Honolulu packing list
Honolulu in January: 27°C / 81°F afternoons, 19°C / 66°F nights, the coolest evenings of the year and the most days with real rain.
In this capsule: Oyster champagne satin bias-cut slip dress; Beige cropped single-button blazer; Black cropped blossom-print top, stand collar.
Honolulu in February: 27°C / 81°F afternoons, 20°C / 68°F nights, the year's coolest sea and the peak of whale season.
In this capsule: Jade long-sleeve crew-neck rash guard; Deep emerald racer-back one-piece; Ecru denim jacket, hip length.
Honolulu in May is Pacific tropical — 28°C / 82°F afternoons, 22°C / 72°F nights, 7 rain days. Year-round consistent climate.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton or linen midi dress + Aloha shirt; Linen wide-leg trousers or cotton shorts; Leather sandals or Reyn Spooner-style flip-flops.
Honolulu in June is peak Pacific tropical summer — 29°C / 84°F afternoons, 23°C / 73°F nights, 5 rain days. King Kamehameha Day June 11.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton or linen midi dress + Aloha shirt; Linen wide-leg trousers or cotton shorts; Leather sandals or flip-flops.
Honolulu in July is peak Pacific tropical summer — 30°C / 86°F afternoons, 24°C / 75°F nights, 7 rain days. Independence Day July 4 fireworks at Ala Moana Beach.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton or linen midi dress + Aloha shirt; Linen wide-leg trousers or cotton shorts; Leather sandals or flip-flops.
Honolulu in August is peak Pacific tropical summer continuing — 30°C / 86°F afternoons, 24°C / 75°F nights, 4 rain days.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton or linen midi dress + Aloha shirt; Linen wide-leg trousers or cotton shorts; Leather sandals or flip-flops.
Honolulu in October: 31°C / 88°F afternoons, 23°C / 73°F nights, June's heat with the first showers of winter.
In this capsule: Sunflower-yellow string triangle bikini; White V-neck kaftan midi, kimono sleeves; Plumeria-print aloha shirt, white ground.
Honolulu in November: 29°C / 84°F afternoons, 22°C / 72°F nights, a flat Waikīkī and a North Shore in winter surf.
In this capsule: Red-coral scoop-neck one-piece; Sand long-sleeve mock-neck sun top; Cream oversized shirt, tone-on-tone floral embroidery.
Honolulu in December: 28°C / 82°F afternoons, 21°C / 70°F nights, and three big days that start in the dark or at dusk.
In this capsule: Clear crossbody, tan leather trim; Taupe satin cropped windbreaker; Navy sleeveless twist-front knee dress.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- February: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- May: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- June: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- July: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- August: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- October: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- November: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
- December: NOAA · Honolulu International Airport (HNL) · 1991–2020 normals
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 9 published guides cover January, February, May, June, July, August, October, November, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 19°C / 66°F, while October has the highest average high at 31°C / 88°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.