Why Hawaii Does Not See More Direct Tropical Weather Strikes

Residents of Hawaii are being told to brace for the potential impacts of Hurricane Kiko by the middle of next week. Despite its location in the tropics, Hawaii does not see a high amount of tropical weather activity. Why is that? Read on for the scientific explanation, as well as a look back at the most notable hurricanes to impact Hawaii over the years.

Understanding Why Hawaii is Not Typically in the Crosshairs of Tropical Weather

There are a number of meteorological reasons that explain why Hawaii does not see a great degree of tropical weather impacts. A large high-pressure feature that is generally anchored to the northeast of the islands is the primary driver of the lack of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Cooler ocean water temperatures in this part of the basin also work to weaken any tropical systems that do move close to Hawaii. Water temperatures are the coolest to the east of the islands. Since systems generally move from east to west, most approaching features break apart before hitting Hawaii.

Conversely, hurricanes coming from the south are more likely to impact the island chain. However, storms typically do not come from this direction, thanks to the powerful trade wind flow coming from the east. As a result, tropical weather makers coming from the south will move in a westerly direction away from the islands.

As such, it is rare for more than one tropical storm to impact Hawaii in any given season. The most active hurricane season for the islands happened in 2015, a year when 12 tropical systems churned within 300 nautical miles of the state.

Hurricanes Do Not Need to Make a Direct Strike to Deliver Impacts

It is important to note that tropical weather systems do not need to make a direct landfall to deliver impacts. Hurricane Dora from 2023 is the perfect example of this. Although the Category 4 storm skirted well south of the islands, the intensity of the event meant that its effects were felt hundreds of miles away.

Meteorologists believe that the unusually high downslope winds generated by the difference in atmospheric pressures created by Dora whipped up the gusts that spread through Maui. These high winds accelerated the drying out process of the grasses and vegetation, priming the landscape for wildfire activity.

These powerful winds then spread the flames of the Maui fire that went on to kill over 100 people. Experts estimate that the island suffered economic losses of up to $18 billion.