United States Honolulu Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Honolulu is very-high
Honolulu Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 28° / 22°
- Rainfall
- 30mm · 5 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Honolulu in May averages a high of 28°C and low of 22°C with 30mm of rain over about 5 days. Tropical light + UV protection essential. Sea 26°C / 79°F ideal swimming. UV 11 (extreme — burn risk 15-20 min).
May is very-high for Honolulu.
May is Korean Golden Week peak — the canonical Korean honeymoon month for Hawaii. Hotels surge 30-50% for the late-April-into-early-May window. Korean Air, Asiana, Hawaiian Airlines all add capacity Seoul-Honolulu (ICN-HNL, ~9 hours direct).
Memorial Day weekend (the last Monday in May) kicks off the American summer travel season. Hotels add another 30-50% surge for the holiday weekend. After Memorial Day, hotel pricing settles into the summer pattern (high but stable).
Travel score
Honolulu May Weather Stats
Avg High
28°C
Avg Low
22°C
Rainy Days
5
30mm total
Sunshine
10h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
moderate
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 30
Sea Temp
26°C
swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
6 μg/m³
PM10
15 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
30°C
Nighttime
22°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 30 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ideal weather 22-28°C
- Korean Golden Week cultural overlap
- Dry season + minimal rain
Cons
- Korean Golden Week peak (early May)
- Memorial Day weekend surge
- UV 11 burn risk 15-20 min
May Events & Festivals
- Korean Golden Week (late April - early May)
- Memorial Day weekend (last Monday May)
- Lei Day (May 1, free leis statewide)
- Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
Honolulu in May — Full Picture
May is Korean Golden Week peak — the canonical Korean honeymoon month for Hawaii. Hotels surge 30-50% for the late-April-into-early-May window. Korean Air, Asiana, Hawaiian Airlines all add capacity Seoul-Honolulu (ICN-HNL, ~9 hours direct).
Memorial Day weekend (the last Monday in May) kicks off the American summer travel season. Hotels add another 30-50% surge for the holiday weekend. After Memorial Day, hotel pricing settles into the summer pattern (high but stable).
Lei Day (May 1) is a state-wide Hawaiian celebration with free leis given out at the Honolulu Hale (City Hall) and free hula performances at Waikiki Beach. Combines with Korean Golden Week timing for double-celebration energy.
Weather is ideal — 22-28°C / 72-82°F, dry season in full swing, minimal rain (5 rainy days). Sea temperature 26°C makes Hanauma Bay and North Shore swimming perfect.
The smart May move: target the last 2 weeks of May (post-Korean Golden Week, post-Memorial Day) for the brief lower-demand window before US summer school break crowds arrive in June.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Tropical light + UV protection essential. Sea 26°C / 79°F ideal swimming. UV 11 (extreme — burn risk 15-20 min).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current27.7°C
21°C
6/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30°C
23.7°C
3.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
29.7°C
23°C
7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
27°C
20.3°C
10.3/mo
Honolulu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27° | 20° | 11d·100mm | 7h | 70% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| February (Best) | 27° | 20° | 9d·80mm | 8h | 68% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 27° | 20° | 7d·60mm | 8h | 67% | 9 | Busy | Shoulder |
| April (Best) | 28° | 21° | 6d·30mm | 9h | 65% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 28° | 22° | 5d·30mm | 10h | 65% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 29° | 23° | 4d·15mm | 11h | 63% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 30° | 24° | 3d·10mm | 11h | 65% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 31° | 24° | 4d·15mm | 11h | 65% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 30° | 24° | 5d·25mm | 10h | 65% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| October (Best) | 30° | 23° | 7d·50mm | 9h | 67% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| November (Best) | 29° | 22° | 9d·80mm | 8h | 70% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 27° | 21° | 11d·100mm | 7h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Honolulu May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Honolulu?
Honolulu in May is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Honolulu in May?
Honolulu May averages a high of 28°C and a low of 22°C.
Does it rain much in Honolulu in May?
Honolulu May averages 30mm of rainfall over about 5 rainy days.
What should I wear in Honolulu in May?
Tropical light + UV protection essential. Sea 26°C / 79°F ideal swimming. UV 11 (extreme — burn risk 15-20 min).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Honolulu in May?
Honolulu May sunrise is 06:00 and sunset is 18:55, with 12h 55m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Honolulu in May?
Honolulu May air quality (AQI) averages 25, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 6μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Honolulu in May?
In May, Honolulu is great for Waikiki + Diamond Head sunrise, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay snorkel (peak).
Is May peak season in Honolulu?
Honolulu May crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Honolulu
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Honolulu?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.