September on Big Island is the exhale after summer. Labor Day weekend brings the Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race to Kailua-Kona, one of the largest paddling events in the world, and then the island goes quiet. Mainland families head home, resort lobbies thin out, and the rental car lots have inventory. If you've been priced out of a July trip or turned off by the idea of competing for parking at trailheads, this is your month.
The Kona coast stays warm and dry through September, with flat ocean conditions that make the leeward side feel like a private aquarium. On the windward Hilo side, afternoon rain still falls in curtains of warm mist, the kind you can smell before you see it, that earthy petrichor mixing with plumeria and wet pavement. The tradewinds occasionally stall for a day or two, which can push vog, the volcanic haze from Kilauea, westward over the Kona coast. When it lingers, the air carries a faint sulfur tang and the normally sharp ridgeline of Hualalai turns hazy. It passes.
This is shoulder season, not low season. Prices ease but don't collapse. The Kohala Coast resorts still feel polished and fully staffed, not off-season skeletal. What you lose is whale watching, which doesn't start until late November at the earliest. What you gain is calm water, fewer tour boats in Kealakekua Bay, and the first stirrings of Kona coffee harvest up in the hills above Captain Cook. The tradeoff favors September for most visitors.
Why visit in September
- Post-Labor Day crowd drop means shorter waits at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, open tee times on Kohala Coast resort courses, and parking available at popular snorkel sites before 9am.
- Calm leeward ocean conditions produce some of the year's best underwater visibility along the Kona coast, with fewer tour boats competing for mooring at marine reserves.
- Kona coffee harvest begins on the slopes between Holualoa and Captain Cook, with several farms offering picking tours and tastings of the season's first cherry.
- Manta ray night snorkels off Keauhou run at high success rates in September, with warm, still water drawing large aggregations to the plankton lights.
Worth knowing
- September sits near the statistical peak of Central Pacific hurricane season. Direct landfalls on Hawai'i are rare, but tropical storm watches can cancel boat tours and close beach parks with little notice.
- Vog episodes are unpredictable when tradewinds weaken. The haze can reduce air quality on the Kona side and obscure mountain views for 1-3 days at a stretch, which is particularly frustrating for photographers.
- Hilo and the windward Hamakua Coast still receive regular afternoon rain, making east-side waterfall hikes muddy and slippery on some days.
- Humpback whales do not return to Hawaiian waters until late November, so September is not the month for cetacean encounters.
Best for
Think twice if
September's island-wide average high reaches 17.6°C (64°F) with lows around 8.0°C (46°F). These figures reflect Big Island's extreme elevation range, from sea-level beaches up to the 4,207-meter (13,796-foot) summit of Mauna Kea. Coastal visitors in Kailua-Kona or along the Kohala Coast will feel considerably warmer. Rainfall averages 53mm across roughly 11 rainy days, with the lion's share falling on the Hilo and Hamakua windward side. The Kona coast might see 3 or 4 brief showers all month. Humidity sits at 75%, which feels moderate when the tradewind breeze holds but heavier during the occasional wind-stall days. Mornings tend to start clear and dry, with clouds building over the mountain slopes by early afternoon.
Seasonal caution
- Central Pacific hurricane season peaks in August and September. Direct hits on Hawai'i are uncommon, but Hurricane Lane in 2018 and Hurricane Iselle in 2014 demonstrated that near-misses still bring heavy rainfall and dangerous surf. Monitor NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasts, especially during the first half of the month.
- Vog from Kilauea's ongoing volcanic activity can reduce air quality on the leeward coast when tradewinds weaken. The Hawai'i Department of Health posts air quality advisories. Individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions should check before extended outdoor activity.
- South swells generated by distant southern hemisphere storms occasionally produce dangerous shore break on south-facing beaches like Punalu'u. Check Hawai'i County lifeguard advisories before swimming at unguarded coastlines.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | 6 | 72 |
| Feb | 14 | 5 | 85 |
| Mar | 14 | 6 | 111 |
| Apr | 15 | 6 | 91 |
| May | 16 | 7 | 77 |
| Jun | 17 | 8 | 25 |
| Jul | 18 | 8 | 54 |
| Aug | 18 | 8 | 87 |
| Sep | 18 | 8 | 53 |
| Oct | 17 | 8 | 76 |
| Nov | 16 | 7 | 86 |
| Dec | 15 | 7 | 65 |
Holidays and festivals in September
Public holidays
- Labour Day(Labor Day)7 September 2026
Headline events
Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race
Labor Day weekend, early September
The world's largest long-distance outrigger canoe race draws roughly 2,500 paddlers from Hawai'i, the US mainland, and Pacific Island nations to Kailua Bay. The 29-kilometer (18-mile) course runs along the Kona coast, with the finish on Ali'i Drive drawing thousands of spectators. Crews arrive the week before for practice runs, and the post-race atmosphere along the waterfront carries the salt-and-sweat energy of a community that takes paddling seriously.
Best things to do in September
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay
water sportsThe Captain Cook monument area sits within a marine life conservation district. Spinner dolphins frequently appear in the morning hours, and the reef supports dense coral coverage with large parrotfish, yellow tang, and the occasional whitetip reef shark. Access is by kayak, boat tour, or a steep 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) trail from the road above.
September's minimal swell and light winds on the leeward coast create flat, clear conditions. Winter months bring north and west swells that churn visibility and make boat moorings unreliable.Booking tipKayak permits for this bay are state-controlled and limited. Book through a permitted outfitter at least a week ahead.
Manta ray night snorkel off Keauhou
water sportsOperators anchor boats near the Keauhou shoreline where underwater lights attract plankton, which in turn draws reef manta rays with wingspans reaching 3-4 meters (10-13 feet). You float on the surface with a snorkel and watch them barrel-roll directly below, close enough to hear the rush of water through their gill plates.
Calm September seas mean fewer weather cancellations than winter. Warmer water makes the 45-minute in-water session comfortable without a thick wetsuit.Booking tipTours run nightly and sell out. Book 3-5 days ahead for weekday slots, a full week for weekends.
Stargazing from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
natureThe Visitor Information Station at 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) hosts free public stargazing programs several nights a week. The Milky Way's galactic core hangs directly overhead in the early evening, and the lack of light pollution reveals star density that most visitors have never experienced. The cold at altitude, even on a tropical island, sharpens the air and makes the sky feel close.
September's stable atmospheric conditions and reduced moisture at altitude produce some of the year's sharpest seeing. The summer Milky Way core is still well-positioned before shifting toward the horizon in later months.Booking tipFree and first-come. Arrive by 6pm to secure parking. Bring warm layers for temperatures that drop to 4-7°C (39-45°F) at this altitude.
Hiking Kilauea Iki Trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
hikingThis 5.3-kilometer (3.3-mile) loop descends through native ohia lehua forest into the solidified lava lake of Kilauea Iki crater. Steam vents still hiss through cracks in the crater floor. The surface underfoot is rough, crunchy basalt, and in places you can feel residual warmth radiating up through your shoes.
Fewer visitors on the trail after Labor Day. The park's elevation keeps temperatures comfortable for the exposed crater-floor crossing, which can feel punishing in the midday August heat.Booking tipNo reservation needed. Start early to finish before afternoon clouds roll in from the coast.
Waipi'o Valley
hikingThe lookout above Waipi'o Valley peers down 300 meters (900 feet) into a lush amphitheater valley where taro fields, a black sand beach, and a river mouth sit beneath 600-meter (2,000-foot) cliffs draped with waterfalls. Access into the valley floor now requires advance arrangements.
Waterfall flow remains strong from August rain but trails are less muddy than during the heavy March-April rains. September's thinner visitor numbers make the valley floor feel genuinely remote.Booking tipValley floor access requires a guided tour or shuttle reservation. Book through the current access program ahead of your trip.
Kona coffee farm tour
food and drinkThe Kona coffee belt runs along a narrow strip of elevation between 200 and 700 meters (700-2,300 feet) on the slopes above Kailua-Kona. Several farms between Holualoa and Captain Cook open their operations to visitors, walking rows of coffee trees, explaining wet-mill processing, and pouring tastings of the current crop.
September marks the start of cherry harvest. You can watch active picking and fresh pulping, which is not possible during spring and summer when the plants are flowering and fruiting.Booking tipMost farm tours run mornings only. Smaller operations in Holualoa take visitors by appointment, so call ahead.
Snorkeling at Two Step (Honaunau Bay)
water sportsNamed for the natural lava rock ledges that form a two-step entry into the water, this site near Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park supports dense coral, green sea turtles, and the occasional whitetip reef shark dozing on the sandy bottom. The water is warm and salty on the lips, tasting nothing like a chlorinated pool.
September's flat leeward conditions make the rocky entry safe and easy. In winter, swells wash over the steps and make the climb in and out hazardous.Booking tipArrive before 9am for parking. No reservations needed. Bring your own gear, as there are no rental shops at the site.
What to eat in September
In season: fruit
Breadfruit (ulu)
Late summer is peak breadfruit season on Big Island. You'll find it roasted, fried into chips, or mashed at farmers markets in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. The texture sits somewhere between a potato and fresh bread when prepared right, starchy and warm with a faintly sweet finish.
Lilikoi (passion fruit)
September falls in the middle of lilikoi season. The tart, intensely aromatic pulp, all citrus bite and floral sweetness, appears in shave ice syrups, cheesecakes, and butter at bakeries in Waimea. Bags of fresh fruit go for a few dollars at the Saturday market in Hilo.
On menus now
Fresh ahi poke
Poke is available year-round, but September's calm Kona coast waters mean local fishing boats run more consistently. KTA Super Stores in Kailua-Kona and Hilo stock 8-10 varieties daily at their poke counters, from shoyu to Hawaiian-style with limu seaweed and kukui nut.
Street food peaks
Shave ice with tropical syrups
Still warm enough for Hawai'i's take on shaved ice, layered with lilikoi, guava, or coconut syrups and often topped with ice cream or azuki beans. The texture is finer than a mainland snow cone, closer to fresh powder, and the cold hits different after a morning snorkel.
What to drink
Early-harvest Kona coffee
The Kona coffee belt begins its harvest in September. Some farms offer tastings of the season's first cherry picks, which tend to have a brighter acidity than the deeper, rounder cups from peak harvest later in the fall.
Regular events in September
Aloha FestivalsFree
Hawai'i's statewide celebration of Hawaiian culture runs through September with parades, ho'olaule'a block parties, and cultural demonstrations. Big Island events typically include a royal court investiture and floral parade in Kailua-Kona.
Various dates throughout SeptemberHilo Farmers Market (Saturday full market)Free
The full Saturday edition expands beyond the daily produce vendors to over 200 stalls selling local crafts, prepared foods, tropical flowers, and seasonal fruit. The September breadfruit and lilikoi harvests are well represented.
Every Saturday year-round, with Wednesday as the smaller mid-week marketIronman World Championship training arrivalsFree
The Ironman race falls in October, but hundreds of triathletes arrive in Kailua-Kona during September for pre-race training. You'll spot them cycling the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway at dawn and swimming laps in Kailua Bay.
Mid-September through October race dayBest places this September
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
national parkSeptember's lower visitor count makes this the time to explore without fighting for parking at the Kilauea Visitor Center. The Crater Rim Trail offers views into Halema'uma'u crater, and on clear evenings the glow from the lava lake, when active, is visible after sunset. The park sits at elevation, so temperatures run noticeably cooler than the coast and a light jacket feels welcome by late afternoon.
VolcanoPu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
historical siteThis reconstructed Hawaiian place of refuge preserves ki'i akua (carved wooden images), royal fishponds, and restored heiau temple platforms along the Kona coast south of town. Morning light is best for photographing the carved figures silhouetted against the ocean. The warm stone and dry grass smell different from the wet green of the windward side.
Captain CookAkaka Falls State Park
state parkA short, paved loop of about 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) passes through dense tropical rainforest, dripping ferns and thick heliconia, before opening to views of the 135-meter (442-foot) Akaka Falls. September's waterfall flow tends to be moderate. Strong enough to be impressive without the heavy mist that soaks visitors during the rainiest months.
Pepe'ekeoHapuna Beach State Recreation Area
beachConsistently ranked among Hawai'i's top beaches, Hapuna's 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) of white sand sits along the Kohala Coast. September seas here are calmer than during winter's northwest swell season, and the water runs clear enough to see your feet in chest-deep surf. Lifeguards are on duty daily.
Kohala CoastLiliuokalani Gardens
gardenThis 12-hectare (30-acre) Japanese garden on Banyan Drive in Hilo features stone bridges, pagodas, and koi ponds along the edge of Hilo Bay. It is one of the largest ornamental Japanese gardens outside Japan. Early morning, before tour buses arrive, the only sounds are birdsong and water running over the stone channels.
HiloPunalu'u Black Sand Beach
beachGreen sea turtles regularly haul out on this jet-black volcanic sand beach in Ka'u district. September's calmer southern waters make the turtles' approach to shore more consistent than during swell-prone months. Keep the legally required distance from resting turtles.
Ka'uHolualoa village
villageThis small coffee-country town sits at about 400 meters (1,300 feet) elevation above Kailua-Kona along Mamalahoa Highway. A handful of art galleries and coffee shops line the quiet main road. September's early harvest season adds activity to the surrounding farms, and the cooler elevation makes afternoon walking pleasant when the coast feels sticky.
Holualoa
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Insider tips
The Kona coast's best snorkeling visibility happens before 10am, before afternoon onshore winds chop up the surface. Locals hit the water at sunrise and are out by mid-morning. By noon, the same sites look like a different ocean.
KTA Super Stores has a better, cheaper poke counter than most tourist-facing restaurants. The Puainako location in Hilo runs 8-10 varieties daily. You can build a plate lunch there for well under sit-down restaurant prices.
If you're driving the Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Route 200) to reach Mauna Kea, fill your gas tank in Hilo or Kailua-Kona first. There is nothing on the 85-kilometer (53-mile) stretch between the two towns. No gas, no food, no cell service for long sections.
September nights at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station draw a crowd for the free stargazing program. Arriving 90 minutes before sunset gives you time to acclimatize to the altitude, claim a good spot near the volunteer telescopes, and watch the sunset paint the cinder cones orange.
Big Island's LGBTQ+ friendliness scores 8.5/10 (sourced from TTDI's editorial rubric), which tracks with Hawai'i's broadly welcoming culture. Kailua-Kona and Hilo are both comfortable for all travelers.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking only windward coast accommodations in Hilo and expecting consistent sunshine. Hilo averages roughly 3,300mm (130 inches) of rain per year. Base yourself on the Kona or Kohala coast for reliable dry weather and treat Hilo as a day trip.
- Underestimating Big Island's size. The island stretches about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north to south. Driving from Kailua-Kona to the national park near Volcano village takes about 2.5 hours each way. Trying to cover the entire island in 3 days means spending most of your time behind a windshield.
- Skipping the altitude acclimatization stop on the way to Mauna Kea's summit. The Visitor Information Station at 2,800 meters exists for a reason. Driving straight to the top at over 4,200 meters triggers altitude sickness, headaches, nausea, and dizziness, regularly enough that park rangers see it weekly.
- Planning a beach day at Punalu'u without checking the surf forecast. September occasionally brings south swells that make the shore break dangerous, and no lifeguards staff that beach.
Practical tips for September
Rental cars remain essential on Big Island. No meaningful public transit connects the major attractions, and rideshare coverage is thin outside Kailua-Kona. Book your rental at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport or Hilo International Airport at least 2 weeks ahead. September inventory is tighter than you might expect for shoulder season, because the island's fleet is smaller than O'ahu's. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park charges a per-vehicle entrance fee, valid for 7 days. Check the National Park Service website for current rates before your visit. Grocery prices on Big Island run 30-50% above mainland US averages. Costco in Kailua-Kona is the local workaround for stocking a vacation rental kitchen. If you plan to kayak at Kealakekua Bay, verify that your outfitter holds a valid state permit. Unlicensed operators face fines, and enforcement rangers will turn you back at the water.
FAQ
Is September a good time to visit Big Island?
September is a good time, particularly after Labor Day when summer crowds clear and accommodation rates ease. The Kona coast stays warm and dry, ocean conditions are calm for snorkeling and diving, and Kona coffee harvest is beginning in the upcountry hills. The main caveats are Central Pacific hurricane season, which rarely produces direct hits but can disrupt plans, and occasional vog episodes on the leeward coast.
What is the weather like on Big Island in September?
The island-wide averages are cooler than many visitors expect, because Big Island's elevation range spans from sea level to the tallest peak in the Pacific. At the coast in Kailua-Kona, days feel warm and tropical. Up at the national park near Volcano village, you will want a jacket. Rainfall concentrates on the windward Hilo side, while the Kona coast stays largely dry.
Is Big Island crowded in September?
No. September is one of the quieter months on Big Island. After Labor Day weekend, visitor numbers drop as mainland families return to school. You will find easier access to popular snorkel spots, shorter waits at park facilities, and better availability at Kohala Coast resorts. The exception is the first weekend, when the Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Race fills Kailua-Kona's waterfront.
Is it safe to visit Big Island during hurricane season?
Statistically, yes. Central Pacific hurricanes that directly affect the Hawaiian Islands are uncommon. Hurricane Lane in 2018 and Hurricane Iselle in 2014 are the recent reference points, and both weakened before their closest approach. Monitor NOAA forecasts, book with flexible cancellation policies, and know that most September visitors experience no weather disruption at all.
Can you see lava on Big Island in September?
It depends on Kilauea's current activity, which varies month to month and year to year. When the summit lava lake is active, you can see its orange glow from the Crater Rim Trail after dark. Surface lava flows reaching the ocean are less predictable and not always occurring. Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates before your trip for current eruption status.
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