8 Reasons We Love Summer in Hawaiʻi

From identifying changing constellations in the night sky to noticing when ʻamaʻama (mullet) spawn, ancient Hawaiians were incredibly observant of their natural surroundings and the shifts in seasons.

They used a sophisticated lunar calendar consisting of 12 months, which were marked by the appearance of different stars and constellations. These months were divided into two seasons. The cooler, wetter season is Hoʻilo, which runs from about October to April. Kau Wela is the warm, drier season, which runs from about May through September.

With warm and pleasant weather throughout the 12 the year, it sometimes feels like we live in a perpetual summer in Hawaiʻi. Fall and spring are simply terms used to describe school semesters. However, locals know there are subtle differences between the seasons.

These are just a few of the reasons we look forward to the summer months in Hawaiʻi every year.

1. Seasonal Specialties

A bucket of lychee plucked in Makawao, Maui.
*Photo: Grace Maeda*

It’s not just mangoes that grow in abundance during the summer. Lychee, lilikoʻi, soursop and calamansi are just a few other favorites that locals often share with their neighbors. Across the Islands, farmers markets overflow with vibrant fruit stands, from the KCC Farmers Market on Oʻahu and Upcountry Farmers Market on Maui to the Grove Farm Market on Kauaʻi and Hilo Farmers Market on Hawaiʻi Island.

2. Shave Ice Season

Shave ice is the ultimate treat after a day at the beach.
*Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino*

Sure, you can enjoy shave ice at any point in the year. But for many locals, it’s the sweet nostalgia of indulging in the refreshing treat after a day at the beach that takes you back to your “little kid” days during the summer.

3. Pua Bloom

From pua kenikeni to plumeria, the Islands’ fragrant pua (flowers) often bloom in the summer months. It’s a great time of year to visit a botanical garden to see what plants are in season.

4.Beach Days on the North Shore

Waimea Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore on a summer day.
*Photo: Grace Maeda*

Some of the best beaches across the Islands stretch along their northern coastlines. From ʻEhukai Beach Park on Oʻahu and Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui to Kēʻē Beach on Kauaʻi, it’s easy to be captivated by these sandy shores. During the winter months, these beaches are known for their large waves and dangerous rip currents. Fortunately, the conditions are typically much calmer in the summer, making for long and beautiful beach days.

5. South Shore Swells

The south shores see more exciting swells in the summer.
*Photo: David Croxford*

While the North Shore is graced by calmer waters in the summer, the south shores see exciting swells generated by winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere. These swells typically peak between May and September, bringing fun waves that are often ideal for beginners and longboarders.

6. King Kamehameha Day

The King Kamehameha Statue in Downtown Honolulu adorned in lei.
*Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino*

June 11 is an official state holiday celebrating Kamehameha the Great, one of the most important and legendary rulers in Hawaiian history. The monarch united all the major Hawaiian Islands, establishing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. On Oʻahu, state leaders and community members gather in Downtown Honolulu to adorn the King Kamehameha Statue with beautiful lei. On Hawaiʻi Island there are two statues of the king, one in Hilo and one in front of the North Kahala Civic Center. Both statues are ceremoniously draped in lei to celebrate Hawaiʻi’s great king.

7. Summer Festivals in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi hosts an exciting mix of annual events throughout the summer. Be sure to bookmark the Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival on Hawaiʻi Island in early June, the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival on Maui at the end of June, and Duke’s OceanFest on Oʻahu in August.

8.Bon Dances

Obon festival in Hawaiʻi.
*Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Kazuya Kajita*

When waves of immigrants arrived to work on sugar plantations in Hawaiʻi, they also brought many customs and traditions. Japanese plantation workers planted the seeds for Obon season. These festivals include Bon dances; a style of folk dance performed to honor ancestral spirits. Dancers circle around a yagura (tower). Across the Islands, Buddhist missions welcome everyone to participate.