Origin Most Central Pacific hurricanes originate in the warm, tropical waters near the coasts of Central America or southern Mexico and then move west-northwest. Many of them dissipate as they encounter unfavorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions such as cooler water, but those that survive follow a conventional path that brings them across the Central Pacific toward the Hawaiian islands. In Hawaiian waters, they usually pass below or south of the islands and tend to veer northwest below or beyond Kaua'i. Fortunately, most of them remain far enough away to spare us their severe effects.
Hurricanes also originate outside of the conventional corridor described above.
Some of them form closer to Hawai'i, while a few, like Iwa, even originate far to the southwest. The official hurricane season in Hawai'i is from June 1 through November 30. Most Central Pacific hurricanes occur in July, August, and September, but they may occur as early as May and as late as December. During some years, many hurricanes occur, whereas in others, few or none. There is no way to tell in advance how active a season will be.