Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 96704 — Captain Cook, HI

ZIP code 96704 (Captain Cook, Hawaii County) is in USDA zone 12b: the coldest winter night averages 55 to 60 °F. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 96704 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone12b55 to 60 °F

Coldest night12.8 to 15.6 °C

Last frostApr 12

First frostDec 1

2012 zone12a

Was 12a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 12b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Captain Cook, HI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Captain Cook, HI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around January 22.

From the NOAA station Mauna Loa 5 Nne, HI — 24 miles away, elevation 11,178 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 96704

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 12) and first fall frost (Dec 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

Native plants for zone 12b in Hawaii

37 plants native to Hawaii, recorded in Hawaii, and rated by the USDA to survive 55 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 12b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Captain Cook, HI.

Soil in Captain Cook, HI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96704 is Puna — very cobbly highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly highly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter94%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Puna and Haplic Udarents soils, 10 to 20 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 96704; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Captain Cook, HI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, August

Winter low57 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights0nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,603base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation36.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Opihihale #2 24.1, HI (2 mi away); precipitation: Opihihale #2 24.1, HI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

9672611a

Honaunau, HI · 9 mi

9673711b

Ocean View, HI · 14 mi

9675012b

Kealakekua, HI · 17 mi

Kailua Kona, HI · 32 mi

Hawaii planting zones →

Questions about 96704

What planting zone is ZIP code 96704?

ZIP code 96704 (Captain Cook, HI) is in USDA hardiness zone 12b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 55 to 60 °F (12.8 to 15.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Captain Cook, HI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96704 is April 12; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mauna Loa 5 Nne station.

When is the first frost in Captain Cook, HI?

The median first fall frost near 96704 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96704?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 and set transplants outside around Apr 19 – May 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96704 get?

About 36.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Opihihale #2 24.1 station).

How hot do summers get in Captain Cook, HI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in August, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96704 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Puna at the center of ZIP 96704: very cobbly highly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

What kind of onions grow in Captain Cook, HI?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 96704 is 13 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 96704 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96704 in zone 12a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 12b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.