Here Are The 13 Most Dangerous Towns In Hawaii To Live In
By Megan Shute|Updated on March 11, 2022(Originally published March 05, 2022)
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
According to Sperling’s Best Places, Hawaii scores approximately 38 out of 100 for violent crime (1 being no crime), and 45 out of 100 in regards to property crime. The violent crime rates in Hawaii are lower than the national average, though property crime is slightly more prevalent in Hawaii than the rest of the country. These 13 of the most dangerous towns in Hawaii have the most reported crime in the state, all receiving a D grade from AreaVibes.
Fern Forest is of the poorest cities in Hawaii, and also one of the most crime-ridden. It’s located in Puna, Hawaii, and has a population of only 1,050 people.
On a scale from 1 to 100, Eden Roc, Hawaii, scores 65 when it comes to violent crime – more than 25 points over the Hawaii average. Located on the Big Island, the population doubled in the 2010 census to only 950 people.
While property crime in Naalehu is lower than the national average, violent crime is higher than the average. Naalehu is located on the Big Island, and is one of the southernmost communities in the United States with a post office. This small community of only 866 people live in the town that means "the volcanic ashes."
Ualapu’e has higher rates of property and violent crime than the Hawaiian and American averages. Located on the island of Molokai, this is another small census-designated community with a population of only 393 people.
Despite its isolated location and small population of just 376, the violent crime average form Maunaloa is 77 out of 100 – higher than most places throughout Hawaii. Even though the violent crime is higher in this small community on Molokai, it’s near two popular beaches and a favorite tourist destination for those visiting this small island.
Pahoa also made our list of Hawaiian cities with the most sex offenders, with one sex offender per 86 residents, according to CityData.com. This destination is visited by tourists who want to see the "Wild Wild West" designed downtown, that boast raised wooden sidewalk, the false-front stores and the numerous old buildings.
With a population of little more than 500 people and encompassing just 0.5 square miles, Honomu is small, but dangerous. It used to be the home of a booming sugar plantation, but now its main attraction is Akaka Falls State Park.
The overall crime rate in Nanakuli is approximately 84 percent higher that the national average. The small town of Nanakuli is located on Oahu’s west shore. It has a beautiful state park and beach, and is a busy destination for those traveling to the area.
In Kurtistown, you have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of crime. But it’s also one of the most bustling agricultural communities on the Big Island. With banana plantations, flower gardens, and even botanical gardens, it’s a favorite tourist spot for those that love to see plants, and learn more about the importance of bananas in the history of the area.
With approximately 278 days with substantial rain each year, perhaps crime is more prevalent in Hilo due to the weather. Hilo is also home to many natural wonders, including waterfalls, and Wailuku River State Park. It’s a large city of over 45,000 people, which may account for the larger amount of crime that you will see reported.
The crime rate in this small town near Waipio Valley is 75 percent higher than the national average. But it’s also a teeny tiny town of only 281 people. The town Kukuihaele was known in ancient Hawaii as "the land of many heiau," or temples, but most were destroyed when sugar planters came to the area.
While Waianae is home to some of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches, it is also a town riddled with poverty and crime. It actually has one of the highest crime rates in all of America. This small town on Oahu is best known for their small boat harbor.
For every 100,000 people, there are 14.2 daily crimes that occur in Halaula, although this small town only has 469 residents. It’s located on the Big Island of Hawaii, and is inside the Bond District, a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. There are buildings here from the 19th century.
So, what do you think of this list? Do you know of any of the most dangerous towns in Hawaii that should have been included on the list but we missed? Sound off in the comments below, or on our Only In Hawaii Facebook page.
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Most Dangerous Towns In Hawaii
Megan McDonald|March 10, 2022
Is Hawaii a dangerous place to live?
Overall, no. The Hawaiian Islands are a wonderful place to live! It truly depends on the neighborhood and town you end up living in.
Is Hawaii one of the worst places to live?
The only reason why Hawaii is ranked high on the worst places to live is because the cost of living is so high. Most of the everyday products have to be shipped or flown in, which raises the costs of goods significantly.
