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 Driest and hottest on the south and west sides. These areas lie in the rain shadows of the island’s mountains. Waikiki is one such hot, dry area, as is the rest of Honolulu. Honolulu lies in the rain shadow of the Koolau Range, which defines northeast Oahu. The hot, dry southwest coastal plains, home to famous surfing areas like Makaha, lie in the rain shadow of the Waianae Range, which defines southwest Oahu. Between the ranges lies the Schofield Plateau, shielded by the Koolaus and also warm and dry.

 Rainier in the mountains, particularly the Koolaus. The Koolaus, though barely over 3000 feet high at most, harbor rainforests not only on their windward slopes but on the upper reaches of their leeward slopes. The Waianaes are largely shielded by the Koolaus, however; only the highest points, like Mt. Kaala, have rainforests and swamps.

The dry Honolulu area, particularly Waikiki, has the greatest concentration of visitors, hotels, and resorts. The figure on the next page summarizes the situation.