Hawaii Weather in November

At low elevations, November daytime highs are typically in the mid-80s°F and overnight lows are generally in the 70s°F. Honolulu's 1991–2020 November normal high is 84°F and its normal low is about 72°F. We would not use Honolulu as a statewide forecast because coast and elevation can change the day completely. National Weather Service Honolulu and its normals-retrieval guidance provide useful reference points.

November moves Hawaii into its wetter winter pattern. Trade-wind weather often brings brief showers to windward slopes, while leeward areas are generally drier. That pattern can break down. Humid, unsettled periods can bring heavier showers or thunderstorms, particularly when the trades fail. We check the forecast for the exact island and coast before committing to a long hike or boat trip. NWS climate guidance explains why rainfall changes so sharply across short distances in Hawaii.

We do not use islandwide rainfall labels as a shortcut. Hawaiʻi Island, for example, contains wet windward terrain as well as much drier Kona and Kohala leeward districts. Higher elevations are far colder than the coast. The Haleakalā and Hawaiʻi Island summit areas can see daytime temperatures in the 50s°F and overnight temperatures in the 30s°F during November. Pack a real jacket for summit country. Haleakalā National Park weather guidance explains the summit's year-round cold conditions. Hawaii's Central Pacific hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, though tropical cyclones can occur outside that window. Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Hawaii Crowds in November

November visitor data are published as monthly totals, so they do not prove a statewide day-by-day crowd ranking around Thanksgiving. We take that limit seriously. If your trip falls near the holiday, check current availability for the places and activities you want before building the rest of the itinerary. For early-November dates, compare several properties and flight options instead of assuming any island will be quiet.

The chart below gives a monthly visitor pattern. We use it as context, not as a prediction for a particular property or week. The State of Hawaii's DBEDT monthly tourism statistics are the underlying public reference for statewide visitor data.

Hawaii Accommodation Patterns in November

There is no single November lodging price for Hawaii. Hotel rates and accommodation inventory move by island and exact travel dates. Thanksgiving can make a large difference between two otherwise similar itineraries, so we recommend pricing the dates you actually plan to travel rather than relying on a statewide “low season” label.

The chart below tracks the monthly accommodation pattern rather than a guaranteed rate for your stay. Start with that context, then compare your exact dates in our cost explorer. Recheck before booking. The State's monthly tourism statistics provide useful market context but do not establish Thanksgiving-week prices for every island or hotel.

Hawaii Events & Highlights in November 2026

This is a dated 2026 events module within an evergreen November guide. These dates do not carry forward to future years. We confirm venue details and ticket availability before building a day around an event. Road conditions can change too.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival runs November 6–15, 2026, on Hawaiʻi Island. The organizer describes it as Hawaii's oldest food festival. Its program includes farm tours and tastings, with art programming and music across Kona coffee-belt communities. Festival history is posted by the organizer. Our Kona Coffee Festival visitor guide explains how to build a Big Island trip around it.

• Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Oʻahu weekend (November 5–8, 2026): The Oʻahu portion closes the festival's published 2026 run. The schedule includes ticketed dinners and tastings; review the official schedule before committing to dates.
• Eō Emalani i Alakaʻi (November 7, 2026): This free commemoration honors Queen Emma's 1871 journey into the Alakaʻi. A third-party event listing names Kānaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kōkeʻe State Park on Kauaʻi; confirm the 2026 venue with the organizer before making the drive.
• Southwest Maui Invitational (November 23–25, 2026): The tournament is scheduled at Lahaina Civic Center immediately before Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 26 in 2026. Check current West Maui lodging and restaurant availability if these dates are part of your trip. Official tournament details | 2026 federal holiday calendar
• North Shore winter surf season: Larger surf episodes begin reaching Hawaii's north shores in November as North Pacific storms strengthen. We watch from dry land at designated viewpoints and follow lifeguard warnings. Surf that looks like a moving wall from shore can create dangerous currents and shorebreak. NWS Honolulu fall weather guidance
• Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026): Our Thanksgiving in Hawaii guide covers holiday-week closures and events, plus how early to book. Our Thanksgiving dinner guide covers resort menus and restaurant reservations, including luau options. Thanksgiving date source
• Waikiki Holiday Parade (November 27, 2026): The parade is scheduled for the Friday after Thanksgiving along Kalākaua Avenue, from the Fort DeRussy area toward Kapiʻolani Park. Organizer details | route information
• 55th Annual Holiday Craft Fair (November 28, 2026): This free downtown Honolulu fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. The listing says more than 40 Hawaiʻi-based vendors will participate. Check the event listing before heading downtown.
• Kapolei City Lights: Check the City's event listing before planning around it. Confirm the current date and event details before making plans because they can change year to year.

November rewards travelers who plan around the actual trade-offs. We would go early if the schedule allows and build rain flexibility into windward or mountain days. Treat north-shore surf as a spectator event when swells rise. Whale season has started, but stronger viewing comes later in winter. NOAA Fisheries places expected peak humpback abundance around mid-February through mid-March.