Frost dates for 96718Hawaii National Park, HI
The average last spring frost in Hawaii National Park is April 12 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 235 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 235 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 36 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | — | — | 91 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 12 · May 18 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Jan 7 | 235 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 15 · Feb 13 · Mar 13 | Dec 17 · Jan 22 · Feb 23 | 327 days | 73% |
Planting calendar for Hawaii National Park
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96718 is matched to the NOAA station Mauna Loa 5 Nne, HI, 15.9 km away, at 11,180 ft elevation (3,509 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauna Loa 5 Nne, HI (used) | 11,180 ft | Apr 12 | Dec 1 |
| Hawaii Vol Np Hq 54, HI | 3,971 ft | — | — |
| Glenwood #2 55.4, HI | 2,200 ft | — | — |
| Hilo 5 S, HI | 622 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Hawaii National Park
- Kailua Kona, HI 96745 · last Apr 12, first Dec 1
- Volcano, HI 96785 · last —, first —
- Mountain View, HI 96771 · last —, first —
- Hilo, HI 96720 · last —, first —
- Papaikou, HI 96781 · last —, first —
- Kurtistown, HI 96760 · last —, first —
- Pahala, HI 96777 · last —, first —
- Pepeekeo, HI 96783 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hawaii National Park, HI?
- For ZIP code 96718, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mauna Loa 5 Nne, HI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Hawaii National Park, HI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96718?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 235 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.