Hawaii’s tropical climate includes warm temperatures throughout the year, with moderate humidity. For most of Hawaii, there are only two seasons: “Summer,” between May and October, and “Winter,” between October and April.
With this warm, tropical climate throughout the year, you might be wondering… How far away is Hawaii from the equator?
The short answer is: Hawaii is approximately 1,470 miles (2367 km) north of the equator.
If you want more information about Hawaii’s location and the Equator, keep reading.
What Is The Equator?
The Equator is an area right that wraps right around the world. It is an imaginary line that is in the middle of the planet.
For Earth, any countries that are in the middle of the two hemispheres are classed as being on the equator.
Countries, cities, and towns that exist in the location of the equator are some of the hottest places on Earth. Some countries that the equator passes through include Brazil, Kenya, Columbia, and Indonesia.
Why Is It So Hot Near The Equator?
The reason it is so hot near the equator is that sunlight comes from almost directly above the equator, all year round.
The Earth tilts on its axis when it spins and this is why the Northern and Southern hemispheres have a more fixed summer and winter time. Because the equator area never really moves or tilts, this direct sunlight stays constant.
The Earth has a natural bulge where the equator is located which makes all the countries on it be closer to the sun than anywhere else on Earth.
Because these countries are closer to the sun, temperatures in these locations are a lot warmer and constant.
Another fun fact about the areas on the equator is that they experience the shortest sunrises and sunsets in the whole world.
Is Hawaii Close To The Equator?
The Hawaiian islands cover over 1,600 miles across the mid-Pacific Ocean and lie approximately 1,470 miles (2367 km) north of the equator.
It is the only state in the US that isn’t located within the mainland of the United States. Though it is still quite a way off from the equator, Hawaii is still the closest state in the US to the equator.
Temperature And Climate In Hawaii
Hawaii has quite consistent weather overall. It doesn’t really go through the seasons like other countries, instead it really just has summer and winter.
Its summer months (also known as Kau) run from May to October and the average temperature is around 85° F (29.4° C).
The winter months (also known as hooilo) run from November to April and the average temperature during these months is 78° F (25.6° C).
Because of the shielding effects of the Hawaiian volcanos and their mountains, as well as the difference in weather at the different altitudes, Hawaii is filled with diverse micro-climates and you can find arid deserts, tropical rainforests, sunny beaches, and alpine mountains all within miles of each other.
Rain is quite common in Hawaii between the months of November and May, but where there’s rain there’s also sunshine.
It’s almost always likely that if it’s raining in the area you happen to be in, there is a dry and sunny spot not too far away.
Hawaiian Islands and Coordinates
There are eight main islands that makeup Hawaii. They are Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau.
There are several other islands in Hawaii, but these eight are generally regarded as the main landmasses of the Hawaiian Islands.
- Hawai’i is regarded as the largest island in the US and the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is the most southwestern of the islands.
- Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii. Some of the other main islands can be found around it.
- Kahoʻolawe is the smallest of the eight main islands. It is located around 11km southwest of Maui.
- Lānaʻi is one of the smaller of the main eight islands. It has been given the nickname “Pineapple Island” because of its history of pineapple plantations.
- Molokaʻi can be found southeast of O’ahu. It is primarily used for farming, especially cattle farming, but it’s also known for its pineapple and sugarcane production.
- Oʻahu is the third-largest of the main eight islands. The capital of the Hawaiian state, Honolulu is located on the south coast of this island.
- Kauaʻi is known as the second oldest island that makes up the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to two State Parks: the Waimea Canyon State Park and the Na Pali Coast State Park.
- Niʻihau is another of the smaller main islands and is the most western located of them all. This island isn’t accessible to anyone considered an outsider and has the nickname the “Forbidden Isle”.
Hawaiian Islands Location and Coordinates
The table below shows the actual Latitude and Longitude of each of the main Hawaiian Islands.
| Island | Nickname | Latitude / Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu | The Gathering Place | 21°28′N / 157°59′W |
| Hawaiʻi | The Big Island | 19°34′N / 155°30′W |
| Maui | The Valley Isle | 20°48′N / 156°20′W |
| Kauaʻi | The Garden Isle | 22°05′N / 159°30′W |
| Molokaʻi | The Friendly Isle | 21°08′N / 157°02′W |
| Lānaʻi | The Pineapple Isle | 20°50′N / 156°56′W |
| Niʻihau | The Forbidden Isle | 21°54′N / 160°10′W |
Is Hawaii Considered Remote?
The Hawaiian Islands are considered the most isolated population in the world. It is 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan.
Although it is remote, it is home to the state capital of Honolulu, which is considered a big city and has plenty of hotels and accommodations for tourists and locals.
Because Hawaii is so remote and isolated, it has its own time zone, Hawaii Standard Time. Another interesting thing about its time zone is that it doesn’t use daylight saving time.
Conclusion
Hawaii is an interesting place, and even though it’s not on the equator, it’s quite close in the grand scheme of things.
Whereas somewhere like Brazil or Indonesia is right in the middle of the equator and experiences very warm and constant temperatures, Hawaii is more of a tropical climate and experiences both summer and winter.
It is located in the Northern Hemisphere, though really far down, so it does have seasons, overall, if you want to find somewhere that has good weather practically all year round and is somewhat “close” to the equator, Hawaii is a good place to go!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes. Hawaii is in the Northern Hemisphere. The islands are located 20° north of the equator and 155° west of the Prime Meridian.
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