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Is Hawaii safe?

Since I started this Hawaii travel blog, one of the most common questions I get is, “Is Hawaii safe?” Well, the answer is mostly yes, but it’s not quite that simple. Let’s break down a few of the most common questions about safety in Hawaii.

Is Hawaii safe for tourists?

In general, yes, Hawaii is one of the safest places for tourists. Compared to international destinations, Hawaii tends to be much safer with less crime than most tourist destinations. For example, many all-inclusive resorts at beach destinations recommend not leaving the resort.

It is not like this at all in Hawaii.  The crime rate in Hawaii is near average in the US, but violent crime is much lower. You will probably feel safer in Hawaii than you do at home.

Is Waikiki safe for tourists? Is Honolulu safe for tourists?

It is important to remember that Honolulu is a city with one million people, and like most cities, the crime is higher than in more rural areas. Although Honolulu and Waikiki are not less safe than other US cities, precautions should be taken as with any other city. 

Petty theft is the most common crime in Hawaii, and tourists are often victims. Simple precautions such as not flashing wads of cash, and locking your rental car can go a long way.

On the subject of rental cars, rental car break-ins common in Hawaii. Do not ever leave valuables in your rental car, even in the truck. This is common sense in any destination, and Hawaii is no exception. Rental cars are an easy target for thieves, so keep your valuables in a hotel safe or on your person. 

If you haven’t rented a car yet, I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. You’ll find the best deals on any of the Hawaiian Islands. You might also want to check out why you need a rental car in Hawaii.

Sadly, there are a lot of homeless people in Hawaii for an abundance of reasons. However, most of the time they keep to themselves and do not bother tourists.

What are the biggest dangers in Hawaii?

The biggest danger in Hawaii is not a crime, but natural occurrences and just plain stupidity. Flash flooding, falling rocks, jellyfish stings, falling coconuts, and not being aware of your surroundings are much bigger dangers than crime in Hawaii.

It’s imperative to use common sense and be cautious when hiking or exploring. Ask locals for advice if you aren’t sure if something you would like to do is safe, they will know! If a local tells you not to do something, it’s best to avoid it.

I have a blog post about 20 things you should not do in Hawaii that goes over some of those “common sense” items in more detail. 

Are there dangerous animals in Hawaii?

Good news! Hawaii does not have many dangerous animals that you would find in other tropical destinations such as Costa Rica. Hawaii has no snakes, alligators, crocodiles, bears, large cats, hyenas, poisonous dart frogs, etc. 

Hawaii also doesn’t have as many plants that will cause problems such as poison ivy or poison oak.

There are dangerous animals in Hawaii, such as centipedes, spiders, jellyfish, deadly snails, and of course, sharks. That said, sharks are not as much of a problem as you might think. You can even swim with sharks (cageless!) with One Ocean Diving. 

The biggest problem? Centipedes. Look at the Giant Centipede if you’re brave. 

Is Hawaii safe during covid?

I had to add this to the list, but hopefully, someday I can remove it! Hawaii has had very low cases of covid despite lots of testing. Hawaii requires a negative PCR test 5 days before flying. The entire state was shut down for months in an attempt to keep covid cases low. Many businesses were permanently shut down in the process, but that is another story.  

Now that Hawaii has reopened, many precautions are being taken to prevent transmission of the virus. Masks are required in public areas where social distancing can not be maintained, and tours and restaurants are opening at a limited capacity.

Hawaii is just as safe as anywhere else, if not safer due to the abundance of outdoor activities year-round. It’s pretty easy to keep a distance in the great outdoors!

Everyone should make their own decisions concerning travel, but it’s safe to say that Hawaii is as safe as anywhere else during covid. 

Is Hawaii safe?

I hope that this post answered your question, “Is Hawaii safe?” Overall, Hawaii is one of the safest places that you can visit. As long as you take simple precautions, you can easily have a safe and fun vacation.

For more Hawaii travel tips, check out some of my most popular blog posts:

• The 7 Best Things to do in Maui
• The 7 Best Things to do on the Big Island
• 7 day Kauai Itinerary
• 100 things to do in Hawaii
• 10 things you NEED to know before going to Hawaii

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