Free tool Updated 2026Average peak UV 12 · Extreme

UV Index in Honolulu

Live UV index for Honolulu, United States. Personalised SPF, reapply timing, and protection advice for your skin type. Free, no signup, updated every 30 minutes.

21.31°, -157.86° · UV data refreshes every 30 minutes

UV in Honolulu: what to expect

Tropical latitude 21°N; UV 11–12 is the norm every month, with little seasonal variation.

Peak season

year-round

Average peak UV

12 (extreme)

Country

United States

Region

North America

Sun safety for Honolulu

Honolulu sits in the extreme UV band during peak season. Fair skin can burn in under 15 minutes at noon. Plan outdoor time before 10am or after 4pm whenever possible. SPF 50 broad-spectrum is the floor, not the ceiling — apply 2 milligrams per square centimetre, which most people under-apply by a factor of three.

Reapply every 90 minutes during peak hours, immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. UPF 50 clothing covers more reliably than sunscreen on areas you can clothe — long sleeves, brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses are not paranoia, they are the local norm in places like Honolulu.

Whatever Honolulu's climatology says, the live reading above is what counts on the day you check. UV varies hour by hour; the widget shows current and forecast values so you can plan around peak hours.

Why daily UV awareness matters in Honolulu

UV exposure is the leading preventable cause of skin cancer. Each blistering sunburn before age 20 doubles melanoma risk in adulthood. Cumulative UV from daily, unprotected exposure causes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, premature aging, and pigmentation disorders.

For residents of Honolulu, the practical impact of knowing today's UV is choosing the right SPF strength, the right outdoor schedule, and the right protective clothing for the next few hours — not abstract long-term advice. The widget above turns this into a 5-second daily check.

Read the full UV checker guide

Other cities in North America

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Sources & methodology

Live UV: Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS atmospheric model + satellite + ground station inputs). City climatology values from NASA TEMIS UV climatology and CAMS reanalysis. SPF and reapply guidelines based on AAD, BAD, and WHO recommendations. Full editorial methodology →