Here’s all you need to know: Hawaii has the best weather on the planet!
Picture the ultimate weather mostly sunny, not usually too hot. Gentle breezes blowing. Never too cold. Cool nights. Some rain, but not usually too much.
Welcome to Hawaii!
The funny thing is that on the islands the forecast for each part of an island is often quite different. Surf, sun, rain, wind are all variable and change constantly.
Many locals say if you do not like the weather, wait an hour it will have changed. That’s about right. It changes very fast.
Once I went up in a plane with my roommate in the Air Force. He had just received his private pilot license, and I paid the $50 for gas and we hit the skies in a little propeller engine plane from Dillingham Airfield on the north side of Oahu.
We had been up about 20 minutes when massive rain clouds started rolling in. We wanted to land but the air traffic controllers said to land in Honolulu where it was still sunny. We flew down there to find it totally rained out they redirected us to the north again and we landed in a horrible rainstorm with 40 mph wind gusts.
I learned right then Hawaii weather changes in the blink of an eye. They can’t even see it change on radar as fast as it happens!
On the big island of Hawai’i you can ski at the top of Mauna Kea’s peak. A helicopter will need to drop you off but, it’s quite possible. You can get a deep tan laying on the beach that same day when you’re finished. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano with a 13,000+ feet high summit! Maui too has a very high dormant volcano, Haleakala Volcano which goes over 10,000 feet.
Year Round Heat
It’s warm year round. Some would call Hawaii “hot”. I never would, having lived in Miami, Tampa, and Thailand for a combined total of 15 years. Those places are hot. Hawaii is perfect weather for me, but you may find it hot all the time. I know people that sweat continually in Hawaii. They’re not doing anything physically, but they just sweat constantly. If you’re one of those people Hawaii may not be the right place for you to live. If you think you can get used to it I’m sure you can, many people do.
No Seasons?
I like to say there are no real weather seasons in Hawaii. Only warm, balmy weather and that’s about it. Sure, once per year you might get to breath fog on a cold December or January day, but it doesn’t happen often. Not even every year.
Perfect Weather?
There are probably over 300 sunny days on Oahu each year. The other Hawaiian islands get more rain. Maui must, having lived there a year I think we got plenty more rain than Oahu does over the year. Kauai has a mountain ridge that has the label, “Wettest place on earth”.
The weather in Hawaii is typically about 80 degrees and with a slight breeze called “trade winds” that blow from the northeast to the southwest. In fact, local Hawaiians often tell directions in relation to which side of the island gets the most wind. The northeast side of Oahu is also known as the “windward” side. The opposite is the leeward side I think. Hard to remember this stuff.
Hawaii’s Blazing Sun
Hawaii is close to the equator so the sun is closer to the earth than anywhere in the continental US.
You’ll feel the intensity is different from when you lived in the mainland USA – even if you lived in Miami, Florida before. I sure did. The sun is more like a radiation heater than just convection. It feels as though you’re being cooked from the inside. Sunburns can be especially nasty, I remember peeling thick layers of skin off my forehead and upper back when I got burned badly a few times. It only takes a few times to learn!
On clear sky days, the sun can be especially intense, so it is recommended you use hats and sunscreen to avoid negative effects. If you accidentally end up with a sunburn, the local aloe plant cut open and applied directly is a soothing remedy.
Air Humidity
Though not usually stifling, the air humidity in Hawaii can be something to get used to if you do not have wet air in your current home. You’ll notice it as you exit your air conditioned plane if it’s especially hot and humid that day you may faint. Seriously I know someone that did!
For most of us though, it isn’t that bad and you’ll get used to it. The heat and humidity of Hawaii is tempered by the near constant 8-15 mph trade winds that keep blowing most months of the year. Trade winds are stronger during the summer and weaker through winter months.
Along with trade winds are the Kona winds which come from the southeast. These occur during the winter months and bring with them rain.
Honolulu has an average of 63% humidity during the year.
Frequent Rain
It rains often on all the islands, in different areas. If you’re planning on living in Kauai you should carry a poncho 24-7 because Kauai gets a lot of rain.
The wettest island is Kauai and this island also has the distinction of having the wettest spot on the entire planet. An average of 486 inches of rain fall there each year. Do you know how much SNOW that would be if it fell instead? Me neither, but it’s a lot of rain regardless. More than an inch of rain per day. That’s a lot!
Hilo on the Big Island Hawaii gets 130-200 inches of rain per year and is the wettest city in the United States.
Some places in Hawaii get less than 6 inches of rain per year!
There is a lovely type of rain the Hawaiians call “Kilihune” it’s the soft misty rain that falls and cools you off on a hot day.
So, no matter which Hawaii island you choose to be living on it rains often but usually in short bursts. Some find that annoying. If you ride a motorcycle or bicycle a lot you should be prepared to get dumped on by heavy showers occasionally. It happens, that’s Hawaii.
Rain is at its worst during the Winter. Rain virtually stops in June and July but there is sometimes the occasional shower anyway
Hawaii is incredibly lush. There is a reason for that it is raining everyday somewhere on the islands. That’s a given. Even though the sun is shining very brightly and the rest of the sky is blue there might be a rain cloud up over the mountains, dumping large amounts of rain on it. You can see this quite clearly, and nearly daily if you live in or near Lahaina, Maui.
If you live in Hawaii you’ll get used to the rain it’s almost daily and yet it doesn’t usually last more than 30-60 minutes. A few times per year it will rain for hours or days at a time.
Tropical Storms & Hurricanes
Just 4 hurricanes have hit any of the Hawaiian islands over the years since 1957. Hawaii is on the border of a tropical zone and can get very strong winds at times, and even a tropical storm once or twice per year.
Storm effects are giant ocean swells, torrential rains, fast gusting winds sometimes 70 mph gusts or even more and of course, big waves for surfing!
Flash flooding can occur and some tourists and locals alike have lost their lives while exploring normally placid streams or waterfalls. In particular, sea caves, and those on waterfalls like Maui’s Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), should be very careful when there is rain upstream from them. Several times people have lost their lives at this stunningly beautiful attraction.
A special note to those walking along sea-cliffs Rogue waves are commonplace and you never know when they will hit. This is why those familiar with Hawaii’s waters will tell you to keep your eye on the ocean at all times. Waves might be 2-3 feet for the majority of the day and then one comes “out of the blue” that is 12 feet or bigger. It happens. People die sometimes because of it. Many times death and injury is preventable just by keeping one eye on the water at all times.
Climate Zones
In the entire world there are 13 climate zones. Hawai’i has 11 of them. Each of these zones have their own set of weather characteristics flora, and fauna. Hawaii’s topography consists of high and low elevation, pressure changes, rain, winds, and surface qualities that combine to produce these different climate zones.
Be forewarned, there are cold areas in Hawaii. We lived on Maui for a year and made frequent visits to Haleakala volcano. I was always amazed at how cold it was as we drove up the long hill. At the top the winds are often very strong, resulting in a freezing wind-chill factor! Bring your heaviest clothes if you are planning to be on the upper half of the big volcanoes. I know it sounds funny to say that but, trust me!
Seasons of the Year
Really there are only two seasons in Hawaii. Summer (Kau in Hawaiian) which goes from May to September, and Winter (ho’olio) which lasts October through April. Hawaii has only two seasons summer, from May to September, and winter, from October to April.
Winters in Hawaii are cooler and have northwestern winds. Temperatures are on average about 75 degrees during the days and 65 at night. Summer highs average around 85 degrees.
Windward Side and Leeward Side
The side that faces the east Sandy Beach, Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe is all considered the Windward Side of Oahu. The Windward side is the cool, wet, windy, and lush side of the island and all Hawaiian islands.
The Leeward Side of the islands is always warmer and drier.
I have lived in hawaii 20 years. Its great but the most comfrtable weather is in the winter. Summers can be hot especially at night when you may want to have it cooler. Trades help though so overall its still pretty good. If you want the best climate on the planet you would choose upcountry on the outer island(makawao, waimea, etc). Those places get warm days and cool nights adn no need for ac.
Thank you for adding in your comments
We love living here because we only need summer clothes. We can go out and walk every day, no scary insects or animals to watch out for. No ticks, chiggers or mosquitoes where we live.
Girls don’t wear make up, nylons or high heels. We love it.
Aloha! I’ve been retired on the Big Island for 4 years now and hope to be in Hawaii for many decades to come. I lived in California for exactly 50 years and 1 day (moved to Hawaii the day after my 50th birth day). Born in Northern California/Oakland and raised in Sacramento (Hot/Dry summer and Cold/Foggy Winter). Went to college and worked in Southern Cal (Culver City/Los Angeles and Ocean Beach & Point Loma/San Diego) for 12 years (Old native Californians such as myself do not say “NorCal” or “SoCal”). Both Los Angeles & San Diego are hot/dry most of the year (inland) but they are both desert climates. Winter nights can be really cold. June gloom is a reality on the shores of California and is the reason why if you want to cool off in the summer, go to the coast. Ocean temperature is warmer than Northern California but most only bare back in summer time in Southern Cal and wear wet suits the rest of the time. I moved back to Northern California and bought acreage property in foothills because too crowded in Southern Cal. The last ten years in California, noticed all the developers ruining the landscape and influx of people buying homes. My wife was from Oahu and I also had family there as well (since the 1800’s), so we would vacation the islands periodically over the years. However, I looked at Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, etc. for fair weather alternatives to move my family to, but Miami Florida is flat and gets hurricanes, Dallas Texas and Atlanta Georgia are hot/humid in summer and ice storms in winter, Phoenix Arizona is brutally HOT in summer and OK in winter, etc.
One other deciding factor not related to weather to point out though is that I’m Asian and even California has scattered racism albeit not as pronounced in other states. Native/Local Hawaiians were always very nice to us when we visited the islands and that was really a huge part of our decision to move to Hawaii as well.
In conclusion, I have developed the following saying… “People move from all over the world to live in California for the weather but people from California move to Hawaii for the weather.”
Mahalo Nui Loa
Mahalo Keith for taking the time so share you experience. love it!
I’m also thinking about moving to Hawaii… A friend of mine lived on Maui for 14 years and he loved it… I lived in Thailand and Philippines and Florida for a total of 40 years and I’m one of those weirdos that loves heat and I don’t mind the humidity , I just hate the damn cold! It’ll cost me $1,500 to ship my car, a BMW Z3, to the islands… I’m 71 and I have a video production business… Any tips??
I’ve got a ton of videos on my YouTube channel. Check those out. You’ll get my newsletter and you can send me your questions.
Great Article! I have a specific question about the sun and intensity on maui. I am very fair skinned with bkue eyes amd red hair and skin that burns easily even in the pacific northwest, up in the mountains. In the summer. I have a hard time acclimating to it. I usually just get a burn and then some freckles instead of a tan. People with fair skin are said to be at risk for melanoma because there skin does not contain the melanin that others produce to help protect from sun exposure. Melanin=tan skin. That being said. Is it possible to live a good life and not be burnt all the time? Do you know of any redheads or very pale people on the islands that thrive? Thank you!
so long as you’re always willing to wear either clothing/hats/etc or sunscreen you should be OK but everyone is different. Best way to find out is to vacay here.
I was reading Andrea Comment about fair skin. You really have adjust your life and I’m equally as fair skinned and I do great here!
I love Hawaii, but I do get tired of being hot. I need to stay in the water all the time, but the evenings are great. The best weather in the U.S. is where I live – San Diego coast :-).
San Diego has very nice moderate weather. It really is a personal taste kind of thing.
Just my opinionhaving lived all over the planet and a few years in Hawaii (and go back often)..Hawaii weather is as good as it gets on this globe. No place is perfect but Hawaii tops our criteria and the health level of the people there is a good indication of wonderful weather. If you want better weather than Hawaii people should consider a large humidi-crib instead. There of course is some variation in weather on different islands, different locations on an island. None of them are really challenging or hard to take..
Well said!
San Diego Isn’t great!!
Beautiful sights to see but you can’t enjoy the water 8 months out of the year most of the water temperatures average 50’s to high 60’s
Hawaii’s water temperature stays like that all year long!! Even with warm and or cool air temp. San Diego is just one big tease!
Where can I buy your book on “Moving to Hawaii?”
Peter Kay, Thank you for your very insightful comments! I heartily disagree with the (few) negative comments about Hawai’i. If you want to feel REAL heat and humidity, I’d recommend Florida, have at it! I lived there for 20 years (my daughter was born and raised there). We both hated it! I’m originally from St. Louis, Missouri (lived my FIRST 20 years there) and since it was landlocked, I couldn’t wait to see the ocean! It is also over 100 degrees in the summer and well below freezing in the winter!
My late husband was in the AF and we lived in England for 3 years, then to Kansas. I have traveled to 9 countries in Western Europe and both coasts of Canada, lived in 10 states (including Hawai’i, of course), and driven extensively across all but 5 states. I have also been to all of the “major” 4 islands twice, and have lived on Oahu for almost five years total (in 09-10, and from 2016 to the present). Therefore, I feel well qualified to say in answer to the comments, “dissing” my new home, Hawai’i is paradise, are you kidding me? Florida sucks, St. Louis sucks, Utah sucks, much of Washington sucks, and Texas sucks in my opinion. No offense, mainland people who come here and do nothing but complain about how expensive it is, but it’s expensive to live in a LOT of cities all over the mainland and other countries, too! if you don’t want to live here, fine. Personally, I feel very blessed and grateful for my life here. I try to be respectful to the Hawaiian people I meet and work with and they are very respectful to me. I have never felt more welcome and happy after all my travels to find my o’hana!
Greatest. Comment. Ever. Mahalo!
Yes…that is a good comment! Hawaii is certainly expensive, but the Hawaiian quality of life has no price. I grew up there (haole), in wonderful (at the time) Waipahu on Oahu. Left in 1970 to join the Marines. After Japan, Vietnam (yes, that long ago), Thailand….I got out after 8 years and went on to contract work in the Middle East. Met my Filipino wife while working there…and did our 40th anniversary recently. Back then we did a fair amount of traveling and decided that Australia might be best to raise our children. Which we did, and a good decision it was – Australia is amazing – and they are all very successful adults now. We always travelled, mainly at my insistence, to Hawaii when we could. We’ve fallen in love with Hilo over the years. It’s like Waipahu when I was young, and my wife is very comfortable there. It does rain, so stick anything you want in the ground and it grows. People are fine and friendly. I have had some simply amazing encounters with Hilo residents who have been so helpful and kind. Going back again, I am now retired, and my wife will quit her part-time nurse job soon….to house hunt.
For what it is worth – I think prospective movers to Hawaii – should check out the stress levels there compared to other states. Residents do extremely well in Hawaii compared other states. Even if the cost of living is high in Hawaii, other stressors are very much lower than the mainland. As perfect weather as is possible on this planet, a wide variety of people from all over the Pacific and beyond generally getting on together very well, and workplaces that are simply great. Life is good there. My parents loved it. We will follow their example.
I’ve lived in Hawaii all my 57 years of my life. Twice when I was younger, my family borrowed my uncles truck and trailer(he lived in orange county, california). In a month we covered 8 states, and hit all the national parks. It was always in the summertime, so we didnt have to deal with cold weather, but every place was really nice. Mostly, it was interesting, cause it’s something we dont get to see or only heard of. I’ve also went to Canada on both coasts, and the east coast of US including Florida. I’ve always said,”Its a nice place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there! Hawaii has a high cost of living, mostly cause everything has to be shipped in by boat. I’ve lived with the high costs all my life, so I’m used to it. They call it the “melting pot of the Pacific, cause of all the different nationalities working together. I wouldnt want to live anywhere else. I would miss too much! The weather, people, lifestyle, outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, and mostly the food. If u visit Hawaii, u gotta check out the food! If u like living the laid back lifestyle, hawaii is for u. I live at the end of the H-1 freeway on the east side. First traffic light off the H-1, hang a left, and in the valley. Above the waialae country club that holds the “Hawaiian Open” golf tournament. Hawaii no ka oi(the best)!
Mahalo Mr. Omori for the great comment! Couldn’t agree more!
I was born and raised in Hawaii. Left Hawaii to live in Austin, Texas which I regret till this day! I have been in Texas for the past 8 years.
and am miserable here with the Cedar Fever the Pollen and allergies year round! I cant physically take it anymore. I have developed these chronic hives due to the allergies there, that I have never experienced in my life! Its incurable and as mysteriously as it came it can mysteriously go away but majority of the times, its for life. I wished to go back to Hawaii, but economically its pretty hard to survive there unless you are making a 6-7 figure income. But it’s getting to the desperate point of either I live there poor, and be healthier, or I live affordably and not have a healthy quality of life.. Hmm I am thinking quality of life in health! I can live on saimin! lol and spam musubi’s.
Gingin
Take a teaspoon a day of local honey to acclimate yourself to the pollen in your area. It will help to tame the allergies. You’re right, Hawaii is a resort labor camp unless you’re rich! Good luck!
I LOVE HAWAII’S WEATHER, ESPECIALLY THE BLUE SKYS. When I first came to Hawaii in 1969 the weather was always perfect, with blue skies nearly all year long. Then about 8 years ago, I noticed some large black clouds. I’m a wedding photographer, so I notice these things. Then, 1 black cloud became two, and more and more came until they filled our beautiful blue sky. Later, I found out that coal dust from China’s coal powered electric plants was what was creating the black clouds. I still love it when we have a blue sky day, it just happens much less often now.
That’s odd. I’ve never noticed that
Richard you’ve been here since’69 and only start to see the big dark clouds only 8 years ago? Wow that is really a interesting observation that makes no sense to me. You have got to be kidding right?
Looking for others to talk to about making a move to Hawaii, with no job
I have lived here since 2010. I love Hawaii. I live on the Big Island. I will never leave. I am 100% Caucasian actually British. I was born and raised in Oregon but I am of no other race but British, Irish and Scandinavian, wales, and Western Europe. I like the different nationalities. I live above people from Vietnam and Upstairs there are Hawaiian folks and I enjoy them and appreciate them. We laugh and help each other. I live in my own Condo and it has a beautiful view of the ocean for about 300 miles.
Great comment! Mahalo! Can you share some “secrets” as to what you discovered it takes to adjust to living in Hawaii’s multicultural environment?
The vog is increasing as the trade winds are becoming less normal. Vog makes people very ill and damages lungs and sinuses.
I have to go with Peter Kay here, but I will say that anecdotally, the weather in Hawai’i has gotten worse over the last five decades. I lived there (Oahu) in the early Sixties, have returned maybe 30 times to most of the major islands except Lanai. My favorite has always been Kaua’i, but having just returned from nearly three weeks there, it was tough. Constant heat and humidity, never got dry, only bearable to me with A/C running.
Back in the Sixties, no A/C needed even in downtown Honolulu where I went to school. Never felt hot or humid after the first week there.
Some of this may be global warming. But I suspect a lot of it is the flood of people and the development. High rises have choked the tradewinds out of Honolulu, and development has made other parts of Oahu like Kailua into saunas. It’s happening on Kaua’i too. I won’t be returning, even though Hawai’i and its people will alwalys be a very important part of me, and I had strongly considered retiring there about a year ago.
And yes, I’m a haole, and I did experience discrimination there as a kid, which made me a liberal on civil rights, because I knew what it felt like to be “the other.” It’s still there, especially in more rural, more local places in the islands (driving through the Kapaa rush hour, we passed a sign right on the main highway on Kaua’i that read “Why Do Haoles Lie?”). You act right, though, and respect locals, their culture, their customs, you’ll be fine.
It’s like anything else. Know who you are, what you want, what you can handle. Do your research, talk to other people. Then you won’t be shocked or disappointed by what you find.
Well-said, Lou!
As a Caucasian man, I know what Solmon is saying about racism in Hawaii. I’ve lived two years in Hong Kong, four years in Yokohama, and am used to being the only white guy around and never experienced racism until I moved to Kauai. Hawaiians are the minority so It’s tolerable. But I’ve been called names and had a group of Hawaiians spit on the ground that I’ve walked on. And about the weather, its horrible, I don’t see how anyone could find this humidity comfortable. Next job location is possibly Utah so I am really looking forward to dryer air and More cloudy days. I do not recommend anyone to move to Hawaii unless they love very hot weather and make at least a six figure income.
Hawaii has the worst weather to live in. It’s one thing to feel the hot weather for a week on vacation and there’s another thing to live everyday in it. Extreme uv (radiation bath) extreme humidity, and too expensive to leave the air on. Forget about the trade winds, hot air blown on you when your hot. and rude racist locals makes me really look forward to moving back to the mainland later this year. Best way to describe Hawaiis weather is Suffocating. There’s a reason why the closer you get to the equator the less white people you see. Hawaii sucks
Hawaii is definitely not for everyone. Personally, Hawaii has the best weather in the world and there’s no place on earth that’s more comfortable for me. I love the blended cultures and have no problem knowing I’m the minority white guy. Others feel differently and that’s why it’s so important to be clear on what this place is all about. For some, we’ve come home to heaven. For others, it’s a living hell. I’m of the former.
Eleven days on vacation big island and kauai did not see the sun for 10 hours. Could have left my sunglasses home. Resturants cost triple NYC. If the weather does not cooperate the is nothing to do except wish you were some other place !
Bummer! Since Hawaii is of course an outdoor place, if the weather is unbearable then yes, there’s not much to do. But even on cloudy days there are fabulous hikes, great surfing, etc. Plenty to do on the few less-then-perfect days. But of course if you’re here during a hurricane it’s hard to compare.
Hmmmm, well unfortunately Hawaii is a expensive place to live if all u want is warmth. I live outside of Albuquerque, NM and we have approximately 310 a yr in sun shine. Granted we have mild winter’s and it snows on occasion but it melts in a day and back up to 50-60° range. Being 6500 ft above sea level its actually nice. Then again im from Indiana…….
I’ve considered New Mexico a couple of times. I think just a bit remote for me. I’d be more likely to go for the green of Colorado if I moved out west. Thanks for your comment. Aloha, Vern
We are from Michigan and love our summers. For the past 3 years we have wintered in Texas on the gulf coast and it’s nice here. But we are thinking of trying a winter in Hawaii is there a best way to do this? Which island to stay on while using our time to explore everything the islands have to offer? Are there monthly rentals? our stay would probably be from Jan. – April really what’s the best place to set up base camp so to speak. Just starting to figure this out and any insights would be appreciated.
Check out the “which island is best for you?” video on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterKayLivinginHawaii where I also have a series on the weather
read an error on this description. He mentioned that Kona winds bring with them rain which is not correct. Also the Kona winds do not just blow during the winter. In fact the Kona winds will blow at just about anytime of the year depending on whether the normally High pressure atmosphere is at it’s usual northeast location or not. If not then we begin to get those Kona winds called Kona winds because they blow from the south east and bring with them this thing called VOG. Vog is just volcanic smoke that can get quite thick and most certainly can effect anyone who has breathing issues because of the particulates in the air. Also the Vog can get very thick once in a while and can sit over the islands for the duration of the Kona winds. Oh also Kona is on the Big Island that is named Hawaii (yes same name as the State of Hawaii) where the volcanic smoke is being produced by the volcano that is active and has been active since the 1980s. The majority of the time though that High Pressure keeps the cool trade winds blowing and the weather is wonderful as the relative humidity doesn’t get high and feels even less with those trade winds blowing from the north east. The humidity tends to increase when these trade winds slow down or disappear. When those Kona Winds blow it definitely gets a bit more if not a lot more humid. There have been years where there were a lot of Kona Wind days and it was very hot. How hot? Made sleeping rather uncomfortable so having a fan and/or AC is always a good thing. For the most part though it’s tough to find a place on this giant earth with better weather than Hawaii.
Correct. If you have an AC with dehumidifier function it is great for reducing humidity of course, also drops the temperature a bit, and also filters a lot of VOG if needed. Not as expensive to run as the normal cooling function either. Extra bonus, in very humid parts of the islands it stunts the mould growth or eliminates it, if you run it for.a few days. Don’t let mould eat your heirlooms and old family photos.
I have lived in Ontario Canada my whole life ……. it’s – 20 here right now …. stop laughing ….. lol……. it sucks ! I’ve being looking at making a major life change . Many people do not understand why I would love to live in Hawaii ? The weather is incredible , I’m single , drive a jeep and I perfer the top down !
If I could find single women that feel the same way that would be great … lol . But seriously …. I would love to move to Hawaii in the Kapolei area . I’m a heavy truck mechanic and that area seams to be good for my trade . But then all my endless hours of online searches does nothing but confuse me more and give me a nasty headache . Any help would be great !
Thanks Vern …… your site has helped alot .
Aloha Len,
Thanks for your comment. Kapolei is a cool residential area. I like it. It’s away from the craziness of Waikiki – but, some people enjoy that. There is really not going to be any way to sort it all out without visiting Hawaii and actively looking for work in the area. I think that’s what you mean about getting confused… maybe you mean about which area to live.
I just revised my “Moving to Hawaii – 2012” ebook at Amazon. It’s not quite live yet, another 12 hours maybe, until they approve it. You should pick that up – there is a TON of information to read, and it’s $4.99.
Ontario eh? I lived in Pittsburgh, and that was cold enough for me too. Hawaii looks like a nice change for you – hope you make it work!