Climate Analysis in 'Ohi'a Dieback Area on the Island of Hawai'i

Abstract

Studies of climatic fluctuations on the island of Hawai'i have been undertaken using data from 113 climatological stations on the windward slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea. Both monthly rainfall and mean monthly air temperature data have been analyzed for periods ranging up to 91 yr. In addition, an estimation scheme for mean monthly air temperatures on the island of Hawai'i has been developed. The climate diagram technique of Walter (1971) has been used to relate rainfall and temperature. Annual climate diagrams have been compared to median climate diagrams as an index of periods of relative drought or wetness. Highly significant spatial uniformity in climate fluctuation patterns is found over the study area. The resulting patterns are discussed in relation to observed patterns of '6hi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha) dieback in this area of Hawai'i.