Winter in Hawaii – some people love it, some don’t. My wife and I prefer the cooler temperatures in Honolulu this time of year (60s at night to mid 70s during most days). It’s not the “snowpocalypse” of the mainland, but no doubt Hawaii cools off in the wintertime. But it also brings some extra concerns for keeping your Hawaii home safe for your family.
For one, there’s been an extraordinary amount of rain across the Hawaiian Islands lately, not uncommon this time of year, but this year seems wetter than most. While this certainly isn’t fun for tourists on vacation, it’s also a potential problem for homeowners. The risk goes beyond fixing a leaky roof. You may be at risk for mold which can pose a serious health risk. If you notice any disturbing smells or have any other reason to suspect your house may have mold, then be sure to address it immediately. You can find home remedies on Google, but a professional may be your best bet. If in doubt, get it checked out.
Having trouble breathing lately? Itchy eyes or throat? You may be susceptible to irritation from VOG – volcanic smog. Vog is produced by the active Kilauea volcano on the Big Island, so why does it end up on Maui, Oahu and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands? Because of the Kona winds that blow over the state this time year. Normally Hawaii gets the tradewinds from the northeast, but in the winter this all changes — Kona winds come from the south, pick up the vog and blow it westerly across the islands.
If you’ve kept an eye on the news, you know that Kilauea has become very active lately (geek out here and here). More activity, more vog, more red eyes and itchy throat. This can sap your strength if you’re breathing it day in and day out, so keep your immune system strong. You might even want to invest in a home air filtration system — and some extra oranges.
Wintertime also brings one other element to Hawaii – more tourists! Ok, tourists aren’t a threat like mold and vog (lol), but do please be careful if driving through touristy areas like Waikiki, the North Shore of Oahu or frequently visited areas on other islands like Kona and Lahaina. It seems every year there’s an unfortunate incident or two that could have been prevented.
Winter in Hawaii is in its tail end here of 2014, so enjoy it while you can. Springtime is almost here!
Not much vog but plenty of winter cold atop Haleakala!