Climate change in Honolulu, Hawaii

Climate change is affecting locations like Honolulu in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include changes to fall foliage, more frequent fire weather, and more coastal flooding.

Explore these pages to learn how people in Honolulu are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1970, average annual temperatures in Honolulu have gotten 1.6°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Since 1970, Honolulu's annual precipitation has decreased by 5.5 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

As of October 9, 2026, Honolulu has experienced 211 days this year with temperatures made twice as likely by climate change.

This is according to the Climate Shift Index (CSI), which quantifies the influence of human-caused climate change on daily average temperatures. Temperatures on these days had a CSI level 2 or higher, which indicates local temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
The CSI ranges from -5 to +5. Positive levels indicate temperatures made more likely due to climate change (while negative scores indicate conditions made less likely).
Data source: Climate Shift Index

Honolulu's climate threats in include:

About 11% of Hawaii is currently in drought or abnormally dry.

Rising temperatures are worsening the risk of drought in parts of the U.S.
Droughts can lead to crop failure or pasture losses, impact water supplies, affect public health, degrade ecosystems, and increase the amount of fuel for wildfires by drying grasses and forests.
The map shows the percentage of land area that is abnormally dry (category D0) or in drought (categories D1-4). This is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's drought classification scale.
Data source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Since 1970, average fall temperatures in Honolulu have gotten 1.6°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

The sea level in Honolulu is projected to rise 0.8 feet by 2050 even if nations meet their pledged commitments to reduce heat-trapping pollution.

Increasing flood risk is driven by our warming climate, which is causing sea levels around the world to rise. Rising sea levels push tides and storm surges higher and farther inland.
Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder provides maps and analysis of the people, homes, and land in the U.S. projected to be at risk from worsening coastal flooding driven by rising seas.

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Honolulu in fall

Impacts to fall color

Conditions that trigger fall color are shifting with climate change.

Key concepts:

Foliage depends on temperature, day length, and rainfall — as well as other conditions including extreme weather events.
Cool fall nights can boost color, but they have warmed 2.7°F (1970–2023) in 212 U.S. locations.
Warmer falls can delay or shorten peak foliage.

Learn more

More fire weather

Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying.

Key concepts:

Climate Central analyzed U.S. fire weather (hot, dry, windy conditions) from 1973–2024.
Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying, especially in the West.
Fire weather is rising most in spring nationwide

Learn more

More coastal flooding

In the U.S., coastal floods now happen three times more often than they did 30 years ago.

Key concepts:

Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder provides maps and analysis of the people, homes, and land at risk from worsening coastal flooding driven by rising seas in the contiguous U.S.
Around 2.5 million Americans in 1.4 million homes live in areas at risk from a severe coastal flood in 2050 under projections that assume global pledged commitments to reduce carbon pollution are met.
Florida, New York, and New Jersey have the most people and homes in areas at risk from a severe coastal flood.
Older adults are disproportionately exposed to coastal flood risk. Nearly 540,000 people aged 65 and older live in at-risk areas.

Learn more

Worsening drought

Warmer, thirstier air worsens drought

Key concepts:

Heat-trapping pollution is warming the planet and changing the dynamics of drought — and its effects on water security, food supplies, wildfire, and ecosystems.
Since the early 20th century, the western U.S. has become drier and the eastern U.S. has become wetter.
As temperatures rise, the atmosphere gets thirstier and pulls more water from streams, soils, and plants — causing or worsening drought and fueling wildfire risk.
Emerging research shows that, in our warming climate, the atmosphere’s growing demand for water is an increasingly important cause of drought in the western U.S. and around the globe.

Learn more

Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

Learn more

More graphics about Honolulu and climate change

Browse climate-related graphics for all seasons localized for Honolulu, available for download and use consistent with our Terms of use.

Filter by keywords

Show per page:

Discover more nearby

See all supported locations

Climate change in Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Honolulu in fall

Discover more nearby

Other Climate Central Resources

Honolulu's climate threats in include: