Honolulu in January

In January, Honolulu averages 27°C (81°F) during the day and 18°C (64°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (75 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

January is a great month to visit Honolulu: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

27°C
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
75 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Honolulu

10th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
16%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
10 h 59 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Honolulu (10th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 2°C below the annual average (29°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (28°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Honolulu

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:11 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:09 PM
Day length
10 h 59 min

Times shown for Honolulu local time (Pacific/Honolulu), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Honolulu — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Honolulu's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:11 AM – 6:51 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:51 AM – 7:51 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:29 PM – 6:29 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:29 PM – 7:09 PM

📅 When to book — Honolulu in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Honolulu's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

January in United States — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🎄
US Christmas/New Year Window
Travel surge · high impact

Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.

Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.

Crowds & pricing — January in Honolulu

Shoulder

Honolulu is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Honolulu

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.7
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Honolulu — January

25.1°C (77°F)
warm
comfortable for extended swimming

Across the year Honolulu's sea swings from 24.4°C (March) to 27°C (September) — January sits at 25.1°C.

Honolulu in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 27°C / 81°F 18°C / 64°F 75 mm 9
February 27°C / 81°F 19°C / 66°F 55 mm 8
March 27°C / 81°F 19°C / 66°F 45 mm 8
April 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 20 mm 8
May 29°C / 84°F 21°C / 70°F 20 mm 6
June 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 10 mm 7
July 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 10 mm 8
August 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 15 mm 8
September 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 15 mm 8
October 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 55 mm 9
November 29°C / 84°F 21°C / 70°F 75 mm 10
December 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 85 mm 10

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Honolulu in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Honolulu in January?

In January, Honolulu averages a high of 27°C (81°F) and a low of 18°C (64°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Honolulu in January?

January sees occasional rain in Honolulu, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Honolulu?

January is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Honolulu in January?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full January packing list for Honolulu for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Honolulu on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.