What to Do in Hawaii When it Rains: 39 Activities on Maui, Oahu, Kauai, & Hawaii

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We put off writing this Things to Do When It Rains in Hawaii list for years as all-day rains are rare in Hawaii. But when a big storm system hits Hawaii, you’ll be in your hotel room thinking, “What to do in Hawaii when it rains!”

When we lived in Hawaii, getting all-day or all-week rains was rare. But we still always had a list of things to do in the rain to keep our family busy. 

For those stuck in the rain in Hawaii, I’ll share ideas for rainy-day activities, plus rainy weather safety tips.

Stay Safe on These Hawaii Rainy Day Things to Do

Adverse weather in Hawaii isn’t the same as on the mainland. When the rains come, they come hard. We have seen Kihei, Maui, receive an inch of rain per hour during a storm.

See the bottom of this article for weather data. I also share what it is like in Hawaii when it rains (spoiler: it isn’t a show-stopper on your trip).

Due to the tradewinds, elevations, and microclimates, weather can change fast. That is why Hawaii has the most helicopter crashes of any state. Hence, we researched helicopter tour companies and shared only the ones with the best safety records. We then realized it was smart to share airplane tours, as they can handle adverse weather better.

Here are some safety tips when figuring out what to do when it rains in Hawaii

• Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts
• During the wet season (November – March), be wary of swimming in waterfalls or hiking along streams. The sun can shine in Hana, Maui, while a storm rages 9,000 feet up on Haleakala, resulting in flash flooding in streams. That is why we have never recommended Waioka Pond (Venus Pool) outside Hana, as it is well-known for washing people into the Pacific.
• Avoid driving in the rain, as roads can flood quickly. 
• Monitor road closures during the wet season.
• Avoid hiking in the rain due to the threat of flash floods and challenges with rescue

Here are some quick tips on what to do in Hawaii when it rains.

What to Do in Hawaii When It Rains: Planning Tips

I won’t sugarcoat this: there are not many things to do when it rains in Hawaii. Playing Scrabble is a standard recommendation among locals. 

Hawaii’s built landscape is made for outdoor living. Shopping centers, tours, restaurants, and bars are open-air. Exploring the Maui Ocean Center (aquarium) will be a wet day out, as passing between buildings and exhibits will take you into the rain.

While the data says Maui is the best Hawaiian island to visit during the winter, Maui isn’t the best for things to do. Oahu wins that trophy. With all that said, I’m pretty proud of the list of things to do when it rains that I made below. I hope these keep your family happy on their Hawaii vacation.

4 Tips on Hawaii Things to Do in the Rain

Tip 1. A tip on booking tours: reserve a snorkel, whale-watching, or sunset tour early in your trip if the weather forecast is unfavorable. The tour company may cancel your tour on the day if the weather is unsafe. By booking early, you can hopefully reschedule for later in your vacation. Explore our favorite tours and activities to book your bucket list tour!

Tip 2. The show must go on! Luaus will continue to perform in the rain. Because the rain is usually brief and warm, the luau dinner and performance will proceed as scheduled.

If the weather is stormy, with high winds and torrential rain, call your luau to confirm whether the show is still scheduled. Hotel luaus are usually outdoors, while some permanent luaus may have a covered pavilion. When we attended the Island Breeze Luau on the Big Island, they called us a few hours before the show to tell us it was moving indoors. We had the option to attend that night or reschedule.

Explore our 14 Best Luaus on Hawaii: Our Honest Reviews.

Tip 3. Finding a relaxing restaurant, happy hour (pau hana in Hawaii) spot, or lounge is a good way to enjoy local food and watch the rain. Find a restaurant or bar with live music to complement the rain hitting the tin roof. I have included a few recommended spots below.

Here are our favorite Maui Live Music venues. We share our favorite restaurants on each of the islands in our Wayfinder Itineraries.

Tip 4. A hotel with a great kids’ pool is clutch to keep the kids entertained on a rainy Hawaii day. The rains are still warm in Hawaii (can get to a low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit in a tropical downpour), so the kids probably won’t mind going swimming. Find a hotel with a good pool in case of unexpected rain (if you’re reading this before arriving in Hawaii!)

• 7 Best Resorts on Kauai for Families
• 10 Best Maui Resorts That’ll Make Your Kids Happy
• Where to Stay on Oahu with Kids
• 6 Best Luxury Hotels on the Big Island

In the spirit of positivity, here is what to do in Hawaii when it rains. You can book the recommended rainy-day tours directly using our links below. Some are affiliate links, so we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Don’t delay; book these things to do when it rains before they sell out on a stormy day.

Now, let’s move on to what to do in Hawaii when it rains!

What to Do on Oahu When it Rains

Oahu is by far the best island to be on when it rains. You’re in luck, as you can do a lot of activities that you may have overlooked in the sun.

Many of these things to do on Oahu when it rains are featured in our Unique Things to Do on Oahu video. Watch the video to see what these places are all about!

• Museums! The best ones to explore would be the Bishop Museum of Polynesian and Natural History and the Honolulu Museum of Modern Art, with a trip to Shangri La
• ‘Iolani Palace is the only palace on American soil and had indoor plumbing before the White House. Enjoy a self-guided or docent-led tour to learn the history of the Hawaiian Royal Family. 
• Queen Emma Summer Palace is a good stop if you’re heading over to Kailua as it is directly off the Pali Highway.
• Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): While most Oahu luaus are outdoors and continue rain or shine, the PCC’s Ali’i Luau, Gateway Buffett, and HA: Breath of Life Show are indoors or in pavilions. Even their Polynesian Island Nation exhibits are mostly covered from the elements. See our Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet for details. 
• Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Honolulu is a science and exploration center great for kids.
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and USS Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor. While Pearl Harbor National Memorial is mostly outdoors, escape the rain by exploring these amazing national treasures for a complete history of America in WWII. Check out our list of the best Pearl Harbor tours.
• Waikiki Aquarium is a good way to keep the kids entertained in Waikiki. The Honolulu Zoo is across the street, but that is mostly outdoors.
• For great food and beers, head to the Kaka’ako neighborhood in Honolulu for a wonderful selection of local breweries like Hana Koa Brewing Co, Honolulu Aleworks, and Aloha Beer Company.
• Ala Moana Mall, Royal Hawaiian Center, and The International Marketplace are in or just outside of Waikiki. Enjoy some shopping while it is raining. While these are open-air malls, you will be mostly covered from the rain.

Find more things to do in our 23 Things to Do on Oahu with Kids or our 40 Things to Do on Oahu.

What to Do on Maui When it Rains

We always had trouble keeping our son Henry entertained when it rained on Maui. The rain brought our family together for stories and charades. But check out these items to get you out of the condo or hotel room.

While Erica enjoyed ziplining in the rain in Kapalua, we are sticking to indoor activities here. 

• Maui Ocean Center to see Maui’s ocean life up close. Our son loves the open ocean tank with the aquarium tunnel to see sharks and stingrays. The aquarium is uncovered between buildings so you may still get wet!
• Maui Escape Room in Ka’anapali Whalers Village provides a creative way to use your mind and perhaps bring the family together (or drive you apart). Prison Break, Ka Puka Bunker, and Tesla’s Inheritance are their most popular.  
• Hawai’i Wildlife Discovery Center in Ka’anapali Whalers Village is a wonderful place for kids to learn about Hawaii’s oceans and wildlife for a few hours.
• Museums! While not as large as Oahu’s museums, you can still get engrossed in the island’s amazing history. Near Kahului and Wailuku, go to the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum or the Maui Historical Society.
• The Shops at Wailea and Ka’anapali Whalers Village are two shopping centers where you can catch a live hula show or attend lei-making workshops.
• Moana Glass for a glass-blowing lesson. Located in Wailuku (Central Maui), take the family to make souvenirs while it rains.
• Explore Upcountry Maui if the roads are safe to drive. See our 15 Amazing Things to Do in Upcountry Maui for wine tasting, farm-to-table restaurants, vodka distillery tour, and more.
• Local families go to Ultimate Air Maui Trampoline Park to keep their kids entertained. For safety, check their schedule to find jumping times for little ones, teenagers, and professional jumpers.

For restaurants to escape the rain and enjoy live music close to your resort, check out these restaurants:

• 15 Can’t Miss Restaurants in Wailea and Kihei
• See our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary for our favorite restaurants
• Dinner on the Beach in Maui: Private Dining and Beachfront Restaurants
• 15 Best Coffee Shops on Maui

Maui has a lot of wonderful kid activities. Explore our 68 Things to Do on Maui with Kids and our 33 Things to Do on Maui.

What to Do on Kauai When it Rains

Kauai is the wettest Hawaiian island by far, hence it is the Garden Isle. Therefore I expect this list to be a big help for Kauai vacationers. You can park yourself in a cafe or restaurant or head out on one of the tours and activities below. Some will make you wetter but heck, you’re on vacation.

• Movie and TV Guided Tour: Let a local guide show you the famous locations where some of the 70 movies made in Kauai were filmed. The tour also includes exploring Hanalei Town for shopping and food, so you may get a little wet.
• Best Food Tours on Kauai: choose what part of Kauai you want to explore and a local guide will have you sample artisan foods, meet chefs and farmers, and indulge in some of the island’s best cuisine.
• Mountain Tubing Adventure will take you through irrigation canals and deep into a private rainforest. We had a blast on this tour, and it goes rain or shine as you’re in the water anyway.
• Kauai Coffee is the largest coffee farm in America. Go to their gift shop, sip their coffee at the cafe, and take a tour if you want to brave the rain.
• Grab some shave ice while it rains. Kauai has some of our favorite shave ice places; see our 5 Best Shave Ice Spots on Kauai.
• Get even wetter (and muddy) on an ATV tour near Poipu with a ranch tour or their private waterfall tour. Rain or shine, the ATV tours go out.
• Shopping centers to check out for activities and shopping include The Shops at Kukuiula (in Poipu), Poipu Shopping Village, and Coconut Marketplace in Kapa’a

Here are more things to do on Kauai for ideas:

• 24 Things to Do on Kauai with Kids
• 35 Best Things to Do on Kauai

What to Do on the Big Island When it Rains

Most visitors stay in West Hawaii when they visit the Big Island, and for good reason. Kailua-Kona gets 18 inches a year in rain, while the luxurious Kohala Coast gets less than 10 inches a year. So if you are unlucky to get rain, check out this list. 

Kailua-Kona Things to Do When it Rains

• Hulihe’e Palace in downtown Kailua-Kona offers guided tours of the former residence of Kamehameha the Great. Although the palace is small, its history is deep.
• Kona for Beer Tasting: Kona Brewery and Ole Brew Co. are a block apart, creating an opportunity for beer tasting, tours, and good food.
• Ocean Riders Seahorse Farm is the place to learn about seahorses with the kids!
• Shopping centers for activities and shows include King’s Shops in Waikoloa, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa, and Prince Kuhio Plaza.
• Kona Sea Salt Farm continues to give tours in the rain. Some of the tour is indoors and for outdoor sections, they provide umbrellas. Located near Kailua-Kona Airport (KOA).
• Go underwater on the Atlantis Submarine if the surf isn’t too rough offshore, Kailua-Kona
• 808 Escape Rooms in Kailua-Kona will keep your group entertained and out of the rain. Book their Aunty Pukalani’s Escape Room or Reagan’s Possession.

 Don’t forget to see our 12 Epic Things to Do in Kona with Kids for more ideas.

Hilo, Hawaii Things to Do When it Rains

Hilo on the other side of the Big Island is in a rainforest climate so expect lots of rain. For good reason, you will find more rainy day things to do on this part of the island.

• ATV off-road adventure north of Hilo will take you out to get muddy in the rain.
• Downtown Hilo is full of cute restaurants and coffee shops. Park downtown and walk under the awnings to find a place to enjoy the rainfall.
• Hilo Farmers Market is under a covered tent as rain is so common. Go shopping for local produce, honey, chocolate, and so many other local products.
• Pacific Tsunami Museum shares the history of tsunamis and why Hilo is susceptible to them.
• Hilo Brewing Company will keep you dry in their tasting room or just go for happy hour.
• Lyman Museum and Mission House is a Hawaiian natural history museum in a restored missionary house.
• Kuamana Caves is a cave park 10 minutes from Hilo. Explore the lava tube but a flashlight is required!
• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center has interactive exhibits and shares the history of voyaging Polynesian finding the islands using the stars for navigation.

See our Hilo 1-Day Itinerary for details on spending the day in Hilo.

Waterfalls are flowing at their best after it rains, so check out the best on each island! While they’re most stunning post-rain, they can be dangerous to swim in, so check for flash flood warnings and be extra vigilant if you plan to enter the water after heavy rain. When in doubt, don’t go out!
Maui Waterfalls
Big Island Waterfalls
Kauai Waterfalls
Oahu Waterfalls

Hawaii When It Rains: Planning Your Vacation

Don’t let the chance of rain spoil your Hawaii trip planning or vacation. Hawaii is lush and tropical, thanks to the rain. 

Most rains are quick, warm showers. Tours will continue, beach days will not be ruined, and the luau will continue.

In the winter, there is a higher probability of an all-day rain or an all-week storm. November, December, and January are historically the wettest months in Hawaii.

If you have the bad luck of hitting a storm during your visit, I hope this list of what to do in Hawaii when it rains helps! 

Check out our Wayfinder itineraries for more trip-planning resources and perfectly planned excursion days around Hawaii. Your family or travel partner will be impressed with your planning skills!