Hawaii has beautiful scenery, a lively nightlife, and beautiful beaches, but the paradise also has some problems. There is one catch to this tropical paradise: the cities, towns, and streets are dangerous, which worries both tourists and people who live there. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii or thinking about moving to its beautiful islands, it’s just as important to know where to stay away from as it is to know where to go. Stay tuned to find out about the ten most dangerous towns in Hawaii, which will help you stay safe in this otherwise beautiful state.
Hawaii Pictures (PHOTO: National Geographic Kids)
Hilo
With a population of about 45,600 people, Hilo is the most dangerous city in Hawaii. Its crime rate is 70% higher than the national average. There is a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim in Hilo, which has 83% more property crimes than the rest of the country. Bicycling is dangerous at all times because of things like high rates of drunk driving, frequent rain, and small roads. Walking alone at night is also not a good idea because of the high risk of being mugged. These problems show that Hilo needs to be more aware, even though it is in a beautiful place.
Waianae
Located on the island of Oahu, this seaside town has a population of 37,600 people, including many poor individuals and families. It also has high crime rates. The city has a high property crime rate that is 69% higher than the national average. Its serious crime rate is lower than the national average, though. Unsettlingly, the numbers show that 1 in 23 tourists or members of this town is a victim of crime. The situation is so bad that the government tells people not to go to the beaches at night, which shows how bad the crime problem is. Even people who live in the area are at risk when they go to the beach, making things look bad for both locals and tourists who come to explore this seaside area.
Kahului
With a little more than 30,000 people, Kahului in Maui County has a lot of crime problems. Kahului hasn’t changed much, even though crime across the whole state has gone down. It is still responsible for 12.18% of all daily crimes in Maui. The city has a high rate of property crime (3,650 crimes per 100,000 people) and serious crime (371 crimes per 100,000 people), which is 54% higher than the national average. The general crime rate in Kahului is 3,967 crimes per 100,000 people, which shows that people are still worried about their safety.
Waipahu
The most risky place in Hawaii is Waipahu, which has a crime rate of 3,709 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 44% higher than the national average. A scary one in twenty-seven people who live in the city will become victims of crime. The National Drug Intelligence Center says that a lot of people in the city are using methamphetamine, which is making the city look bad. It is more common for physical crimes to happen on Waipahu than property crimes. The Peral City Police Station patrols the area from Village Park to Red Hill, which has 41,590 people living there. The fact that the city is one of the poorest in the state also shows how hard things are for the people who live there.
Napili-Honokowai
Napili-Honokowai is a very small town with only 6,700 people. However, 10% of its people live below the poverty line, which is a big social and economic problem. The high number of 19.38 property crimes per 1,000 people is partly caused by the tough economy. Even though the numbers on property crimes are interesting, the total crime rate is still lower than the state rate. The small city is in the middle of the list because of this paradox, which shows how complicated Napili-Honokowai’s crime scene is.
Makaha
In Makaha, a small town with only 8,934 people, crime is a big problem. There are 3,692 crimes for every 100,000 people, which means that every 28th person lives there is likely to be a victim of crime. The chances of being a target of a property crime are also high, at 1 in 30. The District 8 Honolulu Police Department, which has several stations, has to deal with a lot of problems in the area, such as drug crimes, gang-related activities, and property crimes. This shows how many different kinds of threats the police in Makaha have to deal with as they try to keep the town safe.
Waimea
Waimea is on the Big Island and has a population of only 10,770. It has a high crime rate, with 3,652 crimes happening for every 100,000 people who live there. This means that there is a 1 in 28 chance of being a victim of a physical or property crime in the city. Violence crimes happen at a rate of 292 per 100,000 people, and property crimes happen at a rate of 3,360 per 100,000 people. These numbers are very worrying. Because of these problems, both tourists and locals are told to be careful. The police office on Kamamalu Street is the primary safety hub for the area. Given how hard it is for police to keep Waimea safe, these numbers show how hard it is for police to keep the city safe.
Ewa Beach
With 15,165 people, Ewa Beach has a lot of security problems because a lot of property crimes happen there. This is because a lot of people there use drugs. Even though the city is nice during the day, its crime rate is 44% higher than the national average. There are frequent cases of public kidnappings and car break-ins. The area is overseen by District 8 of the Honolulu Police Department and has security issues. This shows how hard it is to keep people safe when resources are limited. It is recommended that both visitors and locals be extra careful in this otherwise beautiful area.
Kapaa
Kapaa has one of the highest crime rates on Kauai Island, over 25% higher than the national average. This makes it one of the least safe places on the island. Even though the cost of living is 5% less than the state average, people who live and visit the area need to be careful. At first view, the area may look safe, but it is important to take the right safety precautions to lower your risk of being a target of violent crime. One in 32 people who stay out late at neighborhood bars are victims of crime, which is a very high risk. These numbers make it clear that people in Kapaa need to be more aware of their surroundings and take extra safety precautions in what seems like a dangerous place.
Wahiawa
The comfort number of 58/100 for Wahiawa, a town of 46,500 people, shows that safety is a worry. The city is ranked ninth in the state for total crime. There is a 1 in 29 chance that a resident or tourist will be a victim of crime. People should be careful, especially women going alone at night. At the moment, Wahiawa is only 28% safer than the rest of the U.S., but the Honolulu Police Department is working hard to make the neighborhood safer and better to live in. The town needs everyone to be extra careful as it tries to make itself safer.
Five safety tips for going to Hawaii
As more people visit Hawaii’s beautiful scenery and lively culture, it becomes important to have a complete guide to make sure everyone stays safe and has a great time. If you want to see the tropical sights, you need to bring important things like climbing boots with hip support, comfortable clothes, hats, bug spray, and sunscreen. The island’s stable temperatures make it a great place to do outdoor activities all year, like climbing in mountains and jungles. But there is a need to be careful among the beauty. Pickpockets are drawn to Hawaii’s wealth, which makes it even more important to keep your things safe in busy places, especially women with purses and men with wallets and phones. One important tip for tourists is to fit in with the locals and not show off their expensive things too much, as this could make them easy targets for thieves. Being aware of your surroundings is also very important, since some neighborhoods may not be safe. Tourists should stay away from areas with a lot of crime and stick to well-traveled roads and major tourist areas. Lastly, people who go into the parks and nature trails on the island need to make sure they are safe by checking in with park workers and sticking on the paths that have been marked. Hawaii’s natural beauty makes it hard to say no, but being ready and aware is the best way to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
