Island in Hawaii, United States
Air quality in Kauai
Meets the WHO guideline
The annual average PM2.5 in Kauai was 3 µg/m³ in 2021, about 0.6 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Vog from Big Island volcanic activity sometimes drifts over the island, but air is usually clean.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 3 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Kapaa, HI, 23 km away.
- Nitrogen dioxide: 4 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 2.8 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 |
Air quality across United States
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maui | 2 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Honolulu | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Kauai | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Big Island | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Lake Tahoe | 5.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Portland | 5.8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Denver | 6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Seattle | 6.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami Beach | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Washington, D.C. | 6.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Boston | 6.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Orlando | 6.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New York City | 7.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Philadelphia | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Charleston | 7.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Nashville | 7.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Phoenix | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Scottsdale | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Napa Valley | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New Orleans | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Diego | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Atlanta | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Dallas | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Chicago | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Austin | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Antonio | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Las Vegas | 9.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Los Angeles | 10.5 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Houston | 11.1 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in Kauai bad?
Meets the WHO guideline: 3 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 0.6× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Kauai?
Vog from Big Island volcanic activity sometimes drifts over the island, but air is usually clean.
How does Kauai compare with the rest of United States?
People in United States breathe 7 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 3 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Lihue Airport (Hawaii Department of Transportation)
- Kauai Visitors Bureau
- Haena State Park reservations
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.