Thanksgiving with 10 adults & 4 kids

Question

Trying to decide which island has the better weather the end of November. Kauai or Hawaii?

We went to Maui in January one year and it rained every day. It was fun and beautiful anyway and I know the islands are beautiful because of the rain but I think we’re looking for a little less rain this time

Answer

Late November is the start of Hawaii’s winter wet season, but not all islands — and not all sides of each island — get the same amount of rain. Between Kauai and the Big Island (Hawaii Island), the Big Island typically offers more reliable dry-weather options during Thanksgiving week.

Kauai is the wettest island overall, especially on the north and east sides. While it is incredibly lush and stunning, it also has a higher chance of rain in late November. In contrast, Hawaii Island has multiple microclimates, and its west side (Kona/Kohala Coast) is one of the driest regions in the entire state year-round.

Below is a detailed comparison and some location-based suggestions to help you choose the best fit for your group of 10 adults and 4 kids.

General Weather Comparison for Late November

Kauai: Green, lush, but more rain-prone — especially Hanalei/Princeville. Even Poipu, the dry side, gets more showers than Kona.
Big Island: Huge variation, but the Kona/Kohala Coast is consistently sunny with some of the lowest rainfall totals in the islands.
Both islands: Temperatures remain warm (mid-70s to low-80s), and rain often falls in brief showers rather than all-day storms.

Kauai Weather Details

Kauai is the oldest and most lush island — and that beauty comes with frequent rain, especially in winter months. The north shore (Princeville, Hanalei) is especially rainy in November. You could absolutely still have sunny days, but the odds of seeing multiple passing showers, cloudiness, or full rainy days are higher here compared to the Big Island.

Wetter areas: Hanalei, Princeville, Kapaʻa, Wailua.
Drier option: Poipu on the south shore (typically the driest part of Kauai).
Considerations for kids: Beautiful beaches and scenery, but rain can affect beach days more often.

Big Island Weather Details

Hawaii Island offers the most dependable dry-weather region in all of Hawaii — the Kohala Coast (Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea Resort area). These areas sit in the rain shadow of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, receiving very low rainfall even in the heart of winter.

Driest and sunniest area: Kohala Coast (Waikoloa & Mauna Lani).
Moderately dry: Kailua-Kona town area.
Wet areas to avoid: Hilo and Volcano area — these receive much more rain.
Considerations for kids: Big sandy beaches at Hapuna and Anaehoʻomalu, lots of space, and calm water early in the day.

Best Island Choice for Most Reliable Weather: Big Island (Kona/Kohala Coast)

If minimizing the chance of rain is your top priority for your family group, the Big Island’s west side is your best bet during Thanksgiving. It consistently offers some of the driest and sunniest weather in Hawaii during the winter season.

Additional Factors That May Influence Your Choice

Group size (14 people): The Big Island has many large vacation homes and spacious condo resorts that can accommodate big groups more easily.
Activities: Big Island has volcanoes, stargazing, snorkeling with manta rays, spacious beaches — great for multi-generational groups.
Ease of driving: Big Island is large but straightforward to navigate; Kauai is smaller but traffic between Kapaa and Poipu can be slow.
Scenery preferences: Kauai is more lush and dramatic. Big Island is more diverse (lava fields, white-sand beaches, desert-like coastlines).

If You Prefer Kauai

If your heart is set on Kauai, choose the south shore (Poipu) for the best chance of good weather. It still may rain, but it will be noticeably drier than the north/east sides.

Bottom Line

For the best odds of sunny beach days during Thanksgiving week, the Big Island — specifically the Kona/Kohala Coast — is your best choice. Kauai is absolutely beautiful, but it runs wetter in late fall, and weather can influence your experience more there.

Your group will have a fantastic vacation either way, but if weather reliability is the deciding factor, Big Island wins for late November.