When to plant in Kapaa, HI
USDA Zone 12aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Kapaa, Hawaii — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Kapaa's growing season is short at roughly -2 days, so succession planting is limited; lean on transplants over direct sowing for anything slow to mature. These dates come from a station roughly 32 km away, the closest with full normals; terrain around Kapaa (elevation, water, pavement) can move your real frost dates a few days either way. Zone 12a is warm enough that Kapaa can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
KANALOHULUHULU 1075 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Kapaa’s own odds, recorded at KANALOHULUHULU 1075.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 12 | Feb 3 | Jan 1 | Dec 6 | Jan 23 | Feb 23 |
| 32°F | May 16 | Jan 26 | Dec 20 | Dec 20 | Jan 24 | May 12 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Kapaa, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Kapaa planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Kapaa, HI?
On average, the last spring frost in Kapaa is around January 26 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Kapaa, HI?
In Kapaa, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 24 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Kapaa in?
Kapaa is in USDA hardiness zone 12a. In zone 12a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Kapaa?
There are roughly -2 frost-free days in Kapaa (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 26 to the first fall frost near January 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Kapaa?
In Kapaa, start tomato seeds indoors around December 1–December 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Kapaa
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Kapaa’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- San Francisco · 3876 km
- Fortuna · 3887 km
- Eureka · 3895 km
- Arcata · 3903 km
- Ukiah · 3908 km
- Half Moon Bay · 3918 km
- Healdsburg · 3918 km
- Pacifica · 3919 km
Frost dates recorded at KANALOHULUHULU 1075, 32 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Kapaa, HI — Frost Dates & Zone 12a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00513099. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/hawaii/kapaa.