As Waiakea-Uka is on the lower flanks of Mauna Loa, the area is known in for its rainfall; in August 2013, the Waiakea-Uka NWS rain gauge showed 83.96 inches of accumulated rain, while the Hilo International Airport rain gauge only registered 57.97 inches for the same length of time; though these two rain gauges are about 6 miles apart, this represents a difference of 25.99 inches, or about the average yearly rainfall of the state of Kansas. As a result, Papaya, Guava, Citrus and Plumeria are grown by many residents. In recent years, plums and peaches can be seen around many of the area's fields.