Catalina Island receives periodic moisture from the direction of hawaii, and rainstorms called the 'Pineapple Express' which brought heavy rains and subsequent flooding to the southern California region in 2005 caused extensive damage to the area. Unlike Hawaii where the ocean is tropical and warm throughout the year, the water temperature around Catalina ranges from the low 50's to the mid 70's Fahrenheit. The cold temperatures around Catalina can support a more life and a much denser web of life, as there is more oxygen and nutrients in the cold waters. Occasionally but rarely, warm currents will allow sub tropical fish to only reach the most southern islands along California's coast. The Hawaiian Islands also have a dry mild climate on their leeward sides where they receive very little precipitation just like Catalina Island. They are also vulnerable to tsunamis, fortunately that has not been a major problem except for Hilo, Hawaii which was hit by a devasting one in 1946 with 159 deaths.
Island life is shared by both, with a different sense of time felt by residents. On Catalina, visitors and resident comment on how timeless the island feels because of the minimal changes because of development restrictions. In an esoteric sense, both areas are surrounded by water, hence cut off from the rest of the world phyically and maybe spiritually or something more than that.
Tourism plays a huge role in both of their economies, with scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and other water activities a major focus of activity. On Catalina Island Ben Weston and Shark Harbor are great surf spots, although Hawaii is of course the birthplace and home to some of the best surfing in the world. Cruise ships visit them both and play a role in local ecomomic activities within the service sector.
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Surfing at Shark Harbor, with its clear and clean beautiful breaks.
Avalon with cruise ships
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