​​What First-Timers Need To Know About Honolulu Safety

Hawaii is well-known for the paradise that it is, complete with sunshine, Aloha spirit, and rainbows. With such an overwhelmingly positive reputation, you may wonder if there are any safety concerns to bear in mind on your first island trip. Hawaii is generally known to be a safe tourist destination, including for solo female travelers, elderly couples, and families with young children.

Because tourism is Hawaii's largest industry and a huge economic driver, the local infrastructure does go to great lengths to ensure the well-being of travelers. Hawaii can be considered one of the safest islands in the world, with one of the lowest violent crime statistics in the U.S. If you exercise the same precautions here that you would at any travel destination, including watching your belongings and avoiding walking alone after dark, you will be fine.

That said, there are a few common injuries and risk factors among tourists in Honolulu. Typical petty crimes like stealing, traffic violations, and harassment are as inevitably common in the Hawaiian metropolis as in any other big city. Some neighborhoods are less welcoming than others; Chinatown, sections of Oahu's West Side, and sections of downtown Honolulu aren't recommended for your first visit. Honolulu made the list of U.S. cities with the largest homeless population in 2024, and the density of homelessness is higher in some areas. Forbes came out with a 2024 study that denounced Hawaii as the leading state for worst driving behavior; so if you are renting a car, get car insurance and be alert. Overall, practicing normal safety measures and awareness will be sufficient.

The number one risk factor for tourists in Hawaii should be no surprise. Oahu is a speck of lava and sand in the Pacific Ocean, the strength of which is constantly underestimated. Ocean-related activities claim the highest number of tourist lives, with about 40 deaths per year, and account for 22% of traumatic injuries. Hawaii holds second in the nation for the highest drowning rate, and the activities being performed when these fatalities occurred were, in descending order: snorkeling, swimming, surfing and bodysurfing, falling into the water, free-diving, and scuba-diving. Many of these drownings occurred in less than three feet of water, and Oahu lifeguards rescue about 1100 people annually.

What can you do to mitigate safety risks? Above all, harbor a very healthy respect for the uncontrollable and unpredictable might of the sea. Honolulu Ocean Safety has urged tourists to be safer by swimming in areas that are patrolled by lifeguards and not swimming at night. Don't swim or surf alone. Keep an eye on your fellow swimmers. Go to shore before you are fatigued; you never know when the tides will become stronger.

Late November through March bring 40-foot tall waves to the North Shore, and terrifying videos surface intermittently of unfortunate beachgoers being dragged into the sea. Be also aware of sharp coral close to the surface; falling off your surfboard and onto the relentlessly jagged reef could send you straight to urgent care.

Another common safety concern for tourists in Honolulu is hiking. Hiking adventures in Hawaii are simply marvelous; the lush greenery, bamboo forests, hidden waterfalls, and soaring summits are out of this world. However, the difficulty of individual trails vary greatly from paved and grandmother-friendly to adrenaline-inducingly dangerous, and just like the ocean, hiking is underestimated time and again by individuals who are not aware of their limitations and their surroundings. Walking up Diamond Head, a legendary crater hike, is a lightyear different than climbing the death-defying Pali Notches. Injuries and deaths frequently result from being ill-equipped or without water, going off-trail in a desire to be adventurous, or taking just one misstep near an edge that leads to a freefall.

Rainy season brings torrential downpours, resulting in a serious amount of mud. Trails disappear. Aged, brittle ropes snap. Knife-edge cliffs appear out of nowhere. Trails are uneven, full of roots and rocks, and often in disrepair. Honolulu's medical system records account 23% of traumatic injuries among tourists to be "slips and falls." Even the most advanced hikers can find themselves outmatched! At least there's no natural wild predator that wants to eat you alive on the trail! You may see wild pigs who snort and run away, but on the trails, you are your own worst enemy. It is advisable to stick to the most popular and well-traveled trails on your first visit to Hawaii!

Exercising a healthy amount of common sense and precaution will eliminate most danger. Know your limits and strengths, and you should be able to happily indulge in the world-famous recreation of Honolulu!