Households researching the safest places to live in Hawaii tend to find two different stories. Hawaii’s violent crime rate sits well below the national average. Its property crime rate, driven by car break-ins, vehicle theft and shoplifting, runs above it. Which story matters more depends on the island, the neighborhood and, often, how close a street is to a beach park that draws tour buses and rental cars.
This guide compares the four counties using figures from the Hawaii Attorney General’s annual Crime in Hawaii report and FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, converted to rates per 1,000 residents. It then names lower-crime towns on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. It also adds the hazard layer that crime statistics leave out: flood zones, tsunami evacuation zones and lava hazard zones.
All rates below are rounded and drawn from recent report years. Annual figures move by 5% to 15% from year to year, so readers comparing specific addresses should check the latest edition and the county police department’s own crime maps before signing a lease or a purchase contract.
How Hawaii crime is measured and why the numbers differ
Two main sources publish Hawaii crime data. The state Attorney General’s research division compiles Crime in Hawaii from reports filed by the four county police departments: Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, Hawaii Police Department and Kauai Police Department. The FBI publishes national figures through its Crime Data Explorer using the same agency submissions.
The two sources rarely match exactly. The FBI shifted to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in January 2021, and several agencies nationwide reported partial data during the transition. Hawaii’s state report also revises population estimates, which changes per-capita rates even when raw counts stay flat.
Index crimes, violent crimes and property crimes
Both sources group serious offenses into “index crimes.” These split into two categories that matter very differently to a relocating household:
- Violent crimes: murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
- Property crimes: burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft.
- Larceny-theft alone makes up roughly 70% of Hawaii’s index crime total.
- Car break-ins are recorded as larceny-theft, not burglary, in most Hawaii reports.
That last point explains a lot. A county with high tourism and many unattended rental cars at trailheads can post a high property crime rate while its residential streets see little burglary. Per-capita rates also count crimes against visitors but divide only by resident population, which inflates rates in tourist-heavy areas.
The visitor population problem
On any given day Hawaii hosts roughly 200,000 to 250,000 visitors on top of about 1.44 million residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and state tourism counts. On Maui and Kauai, visitors can equal 20% to 30% of the resident population at peak months such as July and December.
Because visitors are victims and sometimes offenders, per-resident crime rates in Maui and Kauai counties overstate the risk a full-time resident faces in a residential subdivision. Honolulu’s rate is diluted somewhat by its much larger resident base of about 1 million people.
Crime rates by county: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai
The table below shows approximate rates per 1,000 residents, rounded from recent Crime in Hawaii report years, alongside national FBI figures for comparison. Nationally, the FBI reported about 3.6 violent crimes and 19.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents in 2023.
| Area | Population (approx.) | Violent crime per 1,000 | Property crime per 1,000 | Motor vehicle theft per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City and County of Honolulu (Oahu) | 995,000 | 2.6 | 28 | 4.0 |
| Hawaii County (Big Island) | 210,000 | 3.2 | 23 | 3.1 |
| Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai) | 164,000 | 2.8 | 22 | 2.6 |
| Kauai County | 74,000 | 2.0 | 19 | 1.8 |
| Hawaii statewide | 1,440,000 | 2.6 | 26 | 3.6 |
| United States (FBI, 2023) | 335,000,000 | 3.6 | 19 | 3.2 |
Three patterns stand out. Kauai posts the lowest rates in both categories. Honolulu posts the highest property crime rate, largely concentrated in a handful of urban police districts. Hawaii County posts the highest violent crime rate of the four, though still below the national figure.
What the county numbers mean in practice
A household of four on Oahu faces, on paper, roughly a 1-in-36 annual chance of being a property crime victim per person, and a far smaller chance of violent crime. Those odds fall sharply in master-planned suburbs and rise in districts with heavy foot traffic, nightlife or homeless encampments.
Violent crime in all four counties is dominated by aggravated assault, much of it domestic or between acquaintances. Stranger robbery is uncommon outside urban Honolulu. Murder counts are low: Honolulu typically records 15 to 30 per year, and the neighbor island counties often record fewer than 10 each.
Trends since 2019
Statewide index crime fell in 2020 as tourism collapsed, then rebounded in 2021 and 2022 as visitors returned. Motor vehicle theft climbed notably on Oahu, with Honolulu police reporting several thousand stolen vehicles a year. Reporting by Civil Beat and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has tracked these swings closely.
Maui’s figures for 2023 and 2024 carry an asterisk. The August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire displaced roughly 12,000 residents, which distorted population denominators and shifted calls for service toward Kahului, Kihei and Wailuku.
The safest places to live on Oahu
Honolulu Police Department divides Oahu into eight patrol districts. Property crime concentrates in District 1 (downtown and Chinatown), District 6 (Waikiki) and parts of District 5 (Kalihi). Lower rates appear in the central plateau suburbs and the windward and east Honolulu residential areas.
Mililani
Mililani, a master-planned community of about 50,000 residents on the central plateau, consistently ranks among the lowest-crime areas on Oahu. Its layout of cul-de-sacs, community associations and limited through-traffic discourages opportunistic theft. It sits at roughly 600 to 800 feet of elevation, well outside tsunami evacuation zones.
The tradeoff is the commute. Drivers heading to downtown Honolulu on the H-2 and H-1 often spend 45 to 75 minutes each way during weekday peaks. Single-family homes typically sell in the $950,000 to $1.2 million range.
Hawaii Kai
Hawaii Kai, at Oahu’s southeastern tip, combines low residential crime with marina and ridge-top neighborhoods. Property crime here clusters at visitor sites such as the Koko Head trailhead, Hanauma Bay and the Makapuu lookout rather than in residential streets.
Much of the low-lying marina area sits inside the tsunami evacuation zone and the extreme tsunami evacuation zone. Single-family homes commonly list between $1.4 million and $2.5 million, while older condos and townhomes start near $600,000.
Kailua and Kaneohe
Kailua, a windward town of about 40,000, has low violent crime but a well-documented car break-in problem at Lanikai, Kailua Beach Park and the Lanikai Pillbox trail. Residents living inland, away from beach access lanes, report far fewer incidents. Median single-family prices often exceed $1.8 million.
Neighboring Kaneohe offers a similar profile at somewhat lower prices, typically $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Both towns have stream-fed flood zones; Kaneohe’s Kawa and Kaneohe streams overtop during heavy winter storms.
Other lower-crime Oahu areas
- Manoa: quiet valley near the University of Hawaii; heavy rainfall and flash-flood exposure.
- Aina Haina and Niu Valley: east Honolulu valleys with low burglary rates.
- Waikele and Village Park: central suburbs with lower prices than Mililani.
- Ko Olina and Makakilo: gated or hillside areas on the leeward side.
Oahu areas with higher reported crime
Downtown and Chinatown, Waikiki, Kalihi, and parts of the Waianae Coast post the island’s highest property crime counts. Waikiki’s figures are heavily shaped by visitor theft. The Waianae Coast is also among the most affordable areas on Oahu, which is why it appears on lists of the cheapest places to live in Hawaii, so buyers there should weigh price against crime and commute.
The City and County of Honolulu and the Honolulu Police Department publish neighborhood-level crime mapping that allows street-by-street checks before a lease is signed.
The safest places to live on Maui
Maui County’s crime concentrates in central Maui, where Kahului’s commercial core and Wailuku’s government district see the most calls. Upcountry and south Maui residential areas generally report lower rates, though south Maui’s beaches attract car prowlers.
Kihei and Wailea
Kihei, a south Maui town of about 22,000, has low violent crime and a mix of condos and single-family homes. Property crime centers on beach park lots along South Kihei Road. Adjacent Wailea is resort-oriented, with gated communities and private security.
Much of makai (ocean-side) Kihei sits inside tsunami evacuation zones and FEMA flood zones, since the area is flat and low. Condo prices typically range from $550,000 to $1 million, while Wailea homes often exceed $3 million.
Upcountry: Pukalani, Makawao and Kula
Pukalani, Makawao and Kula sit at 1,500 to 3,500 feet on Haleakala’s slopes. Crime rates are among the lowest on the island, and temperatures run 5°F to 15°F cooler than the coast. Commutes to Kahului take 20 to 35 minutes.
The main hazard Upcountry is wildfire, not tsunami. The August 2023 Kula fire burned roughly 19 homes, and dry gulches filled with invasive grasses remain a concern. More on Maui neighborhoods appears in the guide to the best places to live on Maui.
Maui areas to research carefully
- Kahului: highest commercial theft on the island, near the airport and malls.
- Wailuku: mixed; older neighborhoods vary block to block.
- Lahaina: still in reconstruction; housing supply and services remain limited.
- Road to Hana pullouts: frequent rental car break-ins at waterfall stops.
The safest places to live on the Big Island
Hawaii County covers 4,028 square miles, larger than all other islands combined, and is policed by a department stretched across long distances. Response times in rural districts can exceed 20 to 30 minutes, which matters as much as raw crime rates for many households.
Waimea (South Kohala) and Waikoloa Village
Waimea, a ranching town at about 2,700 feet, is frequently cited as one of the lowest-crime communities on the island. It has cool temperatures, a hospital, and strong community associations. Waikoloa Village, 15 to 20 minutes downhill, is a master-planned area with similarly low residential crime.
Both sit in lava hazard zone 8 or 9 on the U.S. Geological Survey scale, the lowest-risk categories. Waikoloa’s chief hazard is wildfire; a 2018 fire burned more than 17,000 acres nearby. Homes in Waimea commonly sell between $900,000 and $1.6 million.
Kona and Hilo
Kailua-Kona’s residential areas, such as Kona Heights and Holualoa, report moderate crime, while Alii Drive and the town core see more visitor-related theft. Hilo, the county seat, has older neighborhoods with mixed rates and very heavy rainfall, averaging about 125 inches a year.
Hilo also carries the state’s deepest tsunami history. The April 1, 1946 and May 23, 1960 tsunamis killed 96 and 61 people in Hilo respectively, and the downtown waterfront remains inside the evacuation zone.
Puna
Puna, south of Hilo, offers the lowest land prices in the state, with some lots under $50,000. It also has higher property crime rates, limited police coverage and lava zones 1 and 2. The 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed about 700 homes in Leilani Estates and Kapoho. The County of Hawaii posts lava zone maps and civil defense alerts.
The safest places to live on Kauai
Kauai has the lowest county crime rates in the state, at roughly 2.0 violent and 19 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Its small population of about 74,000 means a handful of incidents can move the annual rate noticeably, so multi-year averages are more reliable than any single year.
Waimea, Kalaheo and the west side
Waimea, on Kauai’s west side, is a small town of about 1,800 people with very low crime and a tight-knit community. It sits at the mouth of the Waimea River, so much of the town lies in both flood and tsunami zones. Neighboring Hanapepe faces similar flood exposure, detailed in the guide to relocating to Hanapepe.
Kalaheo, higher up on the south side at about 600 feet, combines low crime with distance from the shoreline. Homes in Kalaheo and Lawai often sell between $1 million and $1.5 million.
Poipu, Koloa and Princeville
Poipu and Koloa on the south shore and Princeville on the north shore have low residential crime but significant visitor activity. Car break-ins cluster at beach parks and trailheads. Vacation rental rules shape these neighborhoods, as explained in the overview of Kauai TVR use permits.
Lihue and Kapaa
Lihue, the county seat, and Kapaa, the island’s largest town, report most of Kauai’s property crime because they hold its shopping centers, airport and busiest roads. Residential pockets such as Puhi and the Wailua Homesteads report lower rates. A wider ranking appears in the guide to the best places to live on Kauai.
Lower-crime towns compared side by side
The table below compares the towns covered above on price, commute and primary natural hazard. Prices are approximate typical single-family ranges in 2025–2026 listings and vary by condition and lot size.
| Town | Island | Population (approx.) | Typical home price | Commute to main job center | Primary hazard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mililani | Oahu | 50,000 | $950,000–$1.2M | 45–75 min to Honolulu | Low; wildfire on edges |
| Hawaii Kai | Oahu | 30,000 | $1.4M–$2.5M | 25–45 min to Honolulu | Tsunami (marina) |
| Kailua | Oahu | 40,000 | $1.8M+ | 25–40 min to Honolulu | Flood, tsunami |
| Kihei | Maui | 22,000 | $1.1M–$1.8M | 20–30 min to Kahului | Tsunami, flood |
| Pukalani | Maui | 8,000 | $1.0M–$1.4M | 20 min to Kahului | Wildfire |
| Waimea (South Kohala) | Big Island | 9,000 | $900,000–$1.6M | 30–40 min to resorts | Wildfire; lava zone 9 |
| Waimea | Kauai | 1,800 | $800,000–$1.2M | 40 min to Lihue | Flood, tsunami |
| Kalaheo | Kauai | 4,600 | $1.0M–$1.5M | 20 min to Lihue | Low |
Annual property tax on these homes varies widely by county and owner-occupant exemption. Kauai and Hawaii County residential rates differ meaningfully from Honolulu’s, as shown in the breakdown of Hawaii property tax rates by county.
Car break-ins and theft: tourist areas vs. residential areas
For most Hawaii residents, the crime most likely to touch daily life is a smashed car window. Thieves target parked cars at beaches, trailheads and scenic lookouts, where owners are away for hours and often leave bags inside. Rental cars are prime targets because they signal a visitor with cameras, passports and cash.
Residential streets see a different pattern. Theft there is more likely to involve unlocked cars in driveways, packages from porches, and catalytic converters, which spiked statewide in 2021 and 2022 as metal prices rose.
| Setting | Typical theft type | Peak times | Relative risk | Common examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach parks and trailheads | Window smash, bag theft | 9 a.m.–4 p.m., weekends | High | Lanikai, Makapuu, Road to Hana stops, Ke’e Beach |
| Resort and hotel districts | Room and pool theft, vehicle prowl | Evenings, holiday weeks | Moderate–high | Waikiki, Kaanapali, Poipu |
| Urban commercial cores | Shoplifting, vehicle theft | All hours | High | Downtown Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue |
| Suburban subdivisions | Unlocked car entry, porch piracy | Overnight, 10 p.m.–5 a.m. | Low–moderate | Mililani, Kapolei, Waikoloa Village |
| Rural residential | Farm equipment, burglary of vacant homes | Weekdays | Moderate | Puna, parts of Molokai |
Practical steps residents take
- Leave nothing visible in parked cars, including charging cables and empty bags.
- Some residents leave car doors unlocked at beaches to avoid a $300–$600 window repair.
- Install a steering wheel lock; older Honda and Toyota models remain frequent theft targets.
- Use a catalytic converter shield on trucks and hybrids, costing roughly $200–$500 installed.
- Join a neighborhood watch; Honolulu supports more than 200 registered groups.
Newcomers who drive rental vehicles during their first weeks on island face the highest exposure. Pricing and pickup considerations are covered in the guide to Hawaii rental car prices, and visitor-focused precautions appear in the post on solo travel safety in Hawaii.
The hazard layer: flood, tsunami and lava zones
A low-crime neighborhood is not automatically a safe place to live. In Hawaii, natural hazards often pose a larger financial and physical risk than crime. Many of the lowest-crime coastal towns sit in the highest-risk flood and tsunami zones.
Tsunami evacuation zones
Every county maps a tsunami evacuation zone and, since 2015 on Oahu, an extreme tsunami evacuation zone for a very large distant earthquake. Outdoor warning sirens are tested statewide on the first working day of each month at 11:45 a.m. Details on sirens and zones appear in the explainer on the Hawaii tsunami warning system.
Low-lying areas with significant exposure include Waikiki, Hawaii Kai’s marina, Kailua, Haleiwa, Kihei, Lahaina, downtown Hilo, and Waimea and Hanalei on Kauai. Homes inland or above 50 to 100 feet of elevation generally fall outside both zones.
Flood zones
FEMA flood maps classify high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas, labeled zones A, AE and VE. Federally backed mortgages in these zones require flood insurance. National Flood Insurance Program coverage caps at $250,000 for a building and $100,000 for contents, with a standard 30-day waiting period.
Kauai’s north shore illustrates the risk. In April 2018, a rain gauge near Hanalei recorded about 49.7 inches in 24 hours, a U.S. record, and floods cut off Haena and Wainiha for more than a year. Windward Oahu and Hilo also see frequent flash floods.
Lava hazard zones
The USGS divides the Big Island into nine lava hazard zones, with zone 1 the highest risk. Zones 1 and 2 cover Kilauea’s summit and rift zones, including much of lower Puna. Many standard insurers decline zone 1 and 2 policies, leaving owners to the Hawaii Property Insurance Association.
| Hazard | Highest-risk areas | Insurance notes | Notable event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami | Hilo bayfront, Waikiki, Kihei, Kauai river mouths | Covered via flood policy, not homeowners | May 23, 1960: 61 deaths in Hilo |
| Flood | Hanalei, Waimea (Kauai), windward Oahu, Manoa | NFIP max $250,000 building; 30-day wait | April 2018: 49.7 inches in 24 hours |
| Lava | Puna (zones 1–2), Ka’u, upper Kona slopes (zone 3) | HPIA often the only option in zones 1–2 | 2018: about 700 homes destroyed |
| Wildfire | West Maui, Upcountry Maui, Waikoloa, leeward Oahu | Premiums rose sharply after 2023 | August 8, 2023: 102 deaths in Lahaina |
| Hurricane | All islands; Kauai historically most hit | Separate hurricane deductibles, often 2%–5% | September 11, 1992: Hurricane Iniki |
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. The Hawaii Department of Health and county civil defense agencies publish preparedness guidance, including recommendations to keep 14 days of water and food on hand.
How to check a specific address before moving
County averages and town reputations narrow the search, but crime and hazard risk can change within a few blocks. Relocating households who research thoroughly typically work through a checklist like the one below.
- Pull the latest Crime in Hawaii report and compare county trends across three to five years.
- Check the county police department’s online crime map for the specific street.
- Look up the address on the state tsunami evacuation zone viewer.
- Check the FEMA flood map and request an elevation certificate if in zone A or AE.
- On the Big Island, confirm the USGS lava hazard zone before making an offer.
- Request homeowners and flood insurance quotes before the inspection period ends.
- Visit, or ask an agent to visit, at night and on a weekend.
- Read local coverage from Hawaii News Now for recent neighborhood incidents.
Questions to ask agents and neighbors
- Has the property flooded or had storm damage in the last 10 years?
- Is there an active neighborhood watch or community association?
- Are there nearby beach access lanes or trailheads that draw parked cars?
- What did the last insurance renewal cost, and did it rise after 2023?
Safety beyond crime: roads, emergency response and community
Traffic is a larger daily risk than crime for many Hawaii residents. The state records roughly 90 to 120 traffic fatalities a year, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Rural two-lane highways such as Saddle Road, the Hana Highway and Kuhio Highway on Kauai carry most of the risk.
Emergency response times also differ. Urban Honolulu ambulances often arrive in under 10 minutes, while remote areas of Puna, Ka’u, east Maui and Kauai’s north shore can wait 30 minutes or longer. Severe trauma cases on neighbor islands are frequently flown to Oahu’s Queen’s Medical Center.
Community fit
Perceived safety also depends on belonging. Newcomers who keep a low profile, respect local customs and shoreline access, and avoid treating neighborhoods as vacation zones tend to report smoother transitions. Households considering inclusive communities can review the overview of LGBTQ-welcoming areas in Hawaii, much of which applies to residents as well.
Cost of safety: what lower-crime areas add to the budget
Lower-crime neighborhoods in Hawaii usually cost more. Mililani homes run roughly 20% to 30% above comparable homes in Waipahu, and Kalaheo commands a premium over Lihue’s older neighborhoods. Rents follow the same pattern: a three-bedroom house in a sought-after suburb often rents for $3,800 to $5,000 a month.
Hawaii’s overall living costs compound this. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Honolulu CPI consistently shows housing and utilities as the largest drivers. Budgeting for safety may also include a $300 to $1,000 home security system plus $20 to $50 monthly monitoring.
Where safety and affordability overlap
- Waikele and Village Park (Oahu): lower prices than Mililani with similar crime levels.
- Kalaheo and Lawai (Kauai): lower crime, outside tsunami zones.
- Pukalani (Maui): more affordable than Kihei, with wildfire as the main risk.
- Waikoloa Village (Big Island): condos and townhomes below Waimea prices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest county in Hawaii to live in?
Kauai County has the lowest crime rates in Hawaii, with roughly 2.0 violent crimes and 19 property crimes per 1,000 residents in recent years. Its small population means annual figures fluctuate, so multi-year averages are the better guide. Kauai’s main safety tradeoff is flood and tsunami exposure in its low-lying river towns.
Is Hawaii safer than the mainland United States?
For violent crime, yes. Hawaii’s violent crime rate of about 2.6 per 1,000 residents sits below the national rate of about 3.6. Property crime is the exception: Hawaii’s rate of roughly 26 per 1,000 runs above the national figure of about 19, driven mainly by larceny, car break-ins and vehicle theft.
What is the safest neighborhood on Oahu?
Mililani is the most commonly cited low-crime community on Oahu, thanks to its master-planned layout and community associations. East Honolulu areas such as Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina and Niu Valley also report low residential crime. Kailua and Kaneohe are low in violent crime but see car break-ins near beach parks.
Which parts of Hawaii have the highest crime rates?
Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Waikiki and Kalihi report the highest property crime counts on Oahu. On neighbor islands, commercial cores such as Kahului on Maui and Lihue on Kauai see more theft. Puna on the Big Island combines higher property crime with limited police coverage and long emergency response times.
Why are car break-ins so common in Hawaii?
Thieves target parked cars at beaches, trailheads and scenic lookouts because owners are gone for hours and often leave valuables inside. Rental cars signal visitors carrying cameras, cash and travel documents. Residents reduce risk by leaving vehicles empty, using steering wheel locks and avoiding long stays at isolated lots.
Should lava zones affect where people buy on the Big Island?
Yes. Lava zones 1 and 2, mainly in Puna and parts of Ka’u, carry the highest risk, and many insurers decline policies there. The 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed about 700 homes. Buyers seeking lower risk typically choose Waimea, Waikoloa Village or Kona areas in zones 8 and 9 or upper zone 3.
Do low-crime coastal towns carry other risks?
Often, yes. Kihei, Kailua, Hawaii Kai’s marina and Kauai’s Waimea all report low residential crime but sit partly inside tsunami evacuation zones and FEMA flood zones. Buyers there commonly need flood insurance, which the National Flood Insurance Program caps at $250,000 for structures and $100,000 for contents.
Where can residents find official Hawaii crime statistics?
The Hawaii Attorney General publishes the annual Crime in Hawaii report with county-level index crime figures. The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer offers state and agency comparisons. Each county police department also posts crime maps, and outlets such as Civil Beat and the Star-Advertiser report on local crime trends.
