Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Big Island in January
Little changes in Big Island from December: highs stay near 50°F (10°C), lows near 37°F (3°C), and about 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain falls.
It scores 57/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 50°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 5.8 in (147 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 50%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 50°F (10°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 37°F (3°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.8 in (147 mm) across the month.
Plan around January
January is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – October).
- Comfort improves from 53/100 in December to 57/100.
- Our Hawaii Paradise route recommends Apr – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 50°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Big Island in January
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
4-mile loop through rainforest and across a still-steaming crater floor.
The Rim at Volcano House
Park lodge dining room with windows over Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
Stargazing at 9,200 ft on one of the world's top observatory peaks.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Restored royal grounds and place of refuge on a lava shoreline.
Tex Drive In
Roadside drive-in since 1968, famous for hot filled malasadas off Highway 19 on the Hamakua coast.
Nearby in January
- Maui in January~97 mi · highs 68°F, 2.4 in rain · 10°C (18°F) warmer by day, drier
- Kailua & Lanikai in January~185 mi · highs 76°F, 2.2 in rain · 14°C (26°F) warmer by day, drier
- Waikiki in January~185 mi · highs 77°F, 2.8 in rain · 15°C (27°F) warmer by day, drier
- Oahu in January~200 mi · highs 75°F, 2.8 in rain · 14°C (25°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,145 m to Big Island's ~2,652 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Big Island in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Big Island?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 57/100 against a best of 71 in June – October. Expect highs of 50°F (10°C) and 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain. Our Hawaii Paradise route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Big Island in January?
Average highs are 50°F (10°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Big Island in January?
Yes: about 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 71.5 in (1816 mm).
What should I pack for Big Island in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 50°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Big Island
Planning Big Island in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.