Kohala Lighthouse • Statistics for May

May: Trade-Wind Swell Takes Over

May leaves winter behind entirely. The average swell height eases to 1.6m (5.2ft) and the period drops hard to 9.5s, which puts the surf in the average, punchy, rideable category but with none of the long-period authority that makes Kohala Lighthouse special. The E direction now owns the wave rose at 55.3%, and ENE follows at 26.3%, meaning over 81% of all swell is a trade wind event from the east. The preferred north quadrant share shrinks to 9%. There are still legitimately fun-looking waves in the data - E swell logs 26.8% in the 1.5-2m (5-6.5ft) range and 7.2% in the 2-2.5m (6.5-8ft) class - but for a spot whose exposure is due north, this is mostly east swell sliding past the lineup. The wind situation is no relief: ENE/E trades blow 85.8% of the time and ideal wind is down to 3%. Air temp climbs to 20.9°C and water temp reaches 25.0°C. If the trades ever ease and the swell angles a bit north, there are waves to be had. But May is a serious step down.