On this week’s episode of the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast, Bruce is talking about Hawaii crime rate and how Hawaii is one of the safest travel destinations in the world.

Most people choose a Hawaii vacation because it seems safer than international destinations (and many U.S. hot spots). It’s also why many people choose to live here!

But do the stats align with their reputation? Listen in by clicking the “play” button above, or read on to learn more about Hawaii crime rate and safety tips for travelers. 

Hawaii Crime: A Resident’s Perspective

Bruce shares his own experience living in Hawaii and how crimes can get sensationalized here. “If it bleeds, it leads,” Bruce says of sensationalist headlines in Hawaii.

Bruce urges visitors not to believe the hype of those kinds of headlines, like the preposterous fear-mongering local news stories of the danger of fentanyl-laced candy being passed to children on Halloween. It was nonsense. “It’s safe to visit Hawaii! Worry more about ocean safety!”

Our Aloha Travel Agents also work with solo travelers who are concerned with safety. And while we always encourage visitors to be smart and aware during their time in the islands, we think this is one of the best places to visit if you want to feel safe. 

Looking at the Statistics

Bruce looks at some of the statistics about Hawaii crime rate. The good news is that Hawaii’s violent crime rate is far lower than the national average. Take a look:

Hawaii has 2.5 violent crimes per 1,000 people

The national average is 4 violent crimes per 1,000 people. 

One thing to be aware of is that the property crime rate in Hawaii is higher than the national average, and it continues to rise. Tourists comprise a small part of these victims, but it still should be a reminder not to leave valuables in your car and lock everything up. 

Bruce mentions a Travel Pulse ranking that lists Honolulu as the only US city on a short list of the world’s safest travel destinations. Bruce also points out that Hawaii’s visitor arrivals have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

So why does crime get so sensationalized in Hawaii? Likely because it is so rare, and the stories seem shocking to mainlanders who picture a glistening, worry-free Hawaii. 

Bruce says,  “Hawaii visitors are just a fraction of violent crime victims in Hawaii. It’s extremely rare, and that’s why you see it make headlines.”

Other News from the Podcast

Also in today’s episode, Bruce shares some recent news headlines that affect Hawaii travel, worrying that “this could be the kind of thing that tips people over the edge” and causes them to not vacation in Hawaii. 

Will it be a dealbreaker for you?

Bruce also has some interesting hotel updates and shares a little insight on conversations between the team at Aloha Hawaii Travel. 

We podcast about Hawaii because we love Hawaii.

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Hawaii Crime Rate and Your Vacation

Bottom line? Hawaii visitors are extremely unlikely to fall victim to violent crime while they’re here – so definitely come and visit, even if you avoid many urban or rural destinations out of fear of crime. 

The biggest danger in Hawaii is likely ocean and outdoor safety. Hiking, swimming, and adventuring should all be done with great awareness and respect for nature.