Is Honolulu sunnier than Lihue, Kauai?

Lihue, Kauai is the sunnier: about 3,311 hours of sunshine a year versus 3,113 — a difference of 198 hours.

Which is warmer, Honolulu or Lihue, Kauai?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Honolulu averages 27°C (81°F), Lihue, Kauai 26°C (79°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Honolulu or Lihue, Kauai?

They are close in the November–February window: Honolulu averages 82/100 (about 26°C days), Lihue, Kauai 83/100 (about 25°C).

Which has the warmer sea, Honolulu or Lihue, Kauai?

Both peak at about 27°C (81°F); month-by-month sea temperatures for both are on this page.

Honolulu vs Lihue, Kauai: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 163 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Lihue, Kauai is the sunnier overall: about 3,311 hours of sunshine a year to Honolulu's 3,113. Honolulu has the higher Sunshine Score in 1 of 12 months; the other 11 are within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

Lihue, Kauai, United States — Lihue, Kauai

At a glance

	Honolulu	Lihue, Kauai
Sunshine hours / year	3,113	3,311
Sunniest month	June (91/100)	June (91/100)
Nov–Feb average score	82/100	83/100
Jun–Aug average score	90/100	91/100
Rain / year	771 mm	825 mm
Warmest sea	27°C / 81°F	27°C / 81°F
Peak midday UV	12 (extreme)	12 (extreme)

Honolulu vs Lihue, Kauai month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Honolulu	Lihue, Kauai	Honolulu	Lihue, Kauai	Honolulu	Lihue, Kauai	Honolulu	Lihue, Kauai
January	84	86	25°	24°	71	68	25°	25°
February	82	83	25°	24°	82	84	25°	24°
March	80	76	25°	24°	94	125	24°	24°
April	88	88	26°	24°	54	57	25°	24°
May	89	90	27°	26°	47	49	26°	26°
June	91	91	27°	26°	37	43	26°	26°
July	90	91	28°	27°	40	41	26°	26°
August	89	90	28°	27°	44	47	27°	27°
September	88	89	28°	27°	50	51	27°	27°
October	84	85	28°	27°	73	76	27°	27°
November	82	83	27°	26°	86	84	26°	26°
December	80	80	25°	25°	93	100	26°	26°

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar Honolulu · Apr even · May even · Jun even · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct even · Nov even · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Honolulu averages 82/100, Lihue, Kauai 83/100. Daytime highs are similar (26°C vs 25°C). See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: too close to call — Honolulu averages 86/100, Lihue, Kauai 85/100. Daytime highs are similar (26°C vs 25°C).
June–August: too close to call — Honolulu averages 90/100, Lihue, Kauai 91/100. Daytime highs are similar (28°C vs 27°C).
September–October: too close to call — Honolulu averages 86/100, Lihue, Kauai 87/100. Daytime highs are similar (28°C vs 27°C).

Sea temperature

Both seas peak at 27°C / 81°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Honolulu all year, Lihue, Kauai all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Honolulu weather by month · Lihue, Kauai weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Honolulu vs Kahului · Honolulu vs Kailua-Kona · Honolulu vs Hilo · Lihue, Kauai vs Kahului · Lihue, Kauai vs Kailua-Kona · all head-to-heads