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Hawaii in September: Your guide to weather, events & travel

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Written by

Matt Byrd

Last updated

July 9, 2025

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As August ends, Hawaii wakes up to a September that brings rest and revelry in equal measure. Early each morning, Waikīkī’s southern shores catch the glow of the sun. The summer waves rolling in are still gentle, so beginners have the perfect conditions to try surfing. It’s also the tail end of Hawaii’s summer surf season, which begins in May.

If you visit Hawaii in September, you can hit the sweet spot where you get a mix of warm seas, real culture, and thinning crowds. Hotel prices dip post-Labor Day (so you can get great upgrades if you’re lucky), trails like Manoa Falls are still lush but less muddy, and community events like the statewide Aloha Festivals are a sight to behold.

You’ll find that the mornings are calm. But by lunchtime, the stillness in the air is replaced by steady tradewinds, so the afternoons feel breezy and just right for beach hopping, walking tours, or long drives. The traffic’s lighter, last-minute bookings actually work, and some of the best seasonal deals aren’t even listed online. That’s where an advisor on TravelJoy can make a difference, by helping you unlock the kind of subtle experiences most visitors miss.

Is September a good time to visit Hawaii?

September in Hawaii stands out because it’s a true interlude between the summer crowds and the winter holiday rush. The heat lingers, but there are fewer tourists out and about. This means you can sneak a peek into the local island life in all its authenticity. Across the islands, daytime temperatures sit in the mid-80s inland and in the high 70s near the ocean. This is just what you need to make swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports enjoyable.

Visiting Hawaii in September also means diving into real island life with fewer elbow‑to‑elbow waits. Now that the peak tourist wave has passed, you’ll see more locals — kamaʻāina —back at their favorite cafés and beaches. Dinner reservations are easier to make, and even the smaller local festivals feel personal because the vendors have the time to chat and get to know you. All in all, the late‑September block‑party vibe feels festive but not exhausting, with the islanders mingling with travelers in a casual mix.

On the downside, upcountry Maui and the Big Island lose a bit of daylight and see slightly shorter days. The island compensates for this with vineyard tours and farm visits that are more enjoyable without the peak-season rush. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you line things up just right, whether that’s snagging a table at a popular hula workshop, booking hard to get diners, or timing your trip to catch the floral parade.

High temperature
86°F / 30°C
Low temperature
73°F / 23°C
Rainfall
1.8 in / 45 mm
Sun & daylight
9 hours / 12.3 hours
Seasonal tips

- Summer lingers

- Smaller crowds

- Great for honeymooners

- Outdoor concerts thrive

- Pack bug spray for hikes

Where to go in Hawaii in September

Waikīkī, Oʻahu
The nightly Hoʻolauleʻa rolls through Kalākaua Avenue, with live hula, poke samplers, and street bands that draw a crowd that knows all the steps. You can hear Hawaiian guitar under the palms, taste shaved ice with local lychee syrup, and join a morning surf school to ride the mellow waves.
Kula & Pukalani, Upcountry Maui
In September, you’ll find upcountry vineyards bustling with late-Grenache harvests. You can smell crushed grapes and see the workers sorting fruit under the bright morning sun. The tasting rooms are also relaxed enough that you can chat with the local winemakers.
Hilo region, Big Island
Afternoon showers bring waterfalls to life in this part of Hawaii in September. Hilo also offers some small surprises, like the Moananui Ocean Festival near Liliʻuokalani Park, where you can catch canoe races, live slack-key, and fishing demos.
Poʻipū, Kauaʻi
On Poʻipū’s beaches, you can find small sea turtle hatchlings as they brave the low tide in late September. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you may even catch tiny flippers emerging from the water at dusk. Nearby, the Keālia Pond attracts migrating stilts and coots that wheel in flocks against the pink sunset sky.

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Things to do in Hawaii in September

Event
Location
Timing
Aloha Festivals Kickoff
Aloha Festivals begin with royal ceremony and hula
Honolulu
Early September
Waikiki Hoolaulea
Waikiki street party features music and island eats
Waikiki
Mid-September
Maui Plantation Days
Maui celebrates plantation history with local fare
Maui
Mid–Late September
Hawaii Island Art Tour
Big Island art studios open for weekend tours
Kona
September weekends
Honolulu Surf Film Fest
Surf cinema shines during Honolulu film festival
Honolulu
Early September
Kauai Coconut Festival
Coconut-themed events delight Kauai visitors
Kauai
Late September
Lahaina Front Street Fridays
Live music and shopping along Lahaina’s Front Street
Lahaina
Fridays

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