When deciding to move, whether across an ocean or just to a neighboring town, safety and crime rates play a large role in the decision-making process. As a state, Hawaii has lower violent crime rates than the national median, but higher property crime rates that the rest of the country. According to Neighborhood Scout, these 10 Hawaiian cities are the safest in the state. We think that makes them the best places to live in Hawaii.

  1. Makaweli, Kauai

Dave Seidman/Flickr Though sources say that Makaweli is the safest place to live in Hawaii, it is no longer known by that name, but instead by Kaumakai, a small town with a population of approximately 600 located on the southern shore of Kauai.

If you like this sweet town, enjoy the rest of the island on this hidden road trip in Kauai. Kaumakani, HI, USA

  1. Kalaupapa, Molokai

Warren Antiola/Flickr The small fishing village is the site of a former leper colony, and is situated at the base of some of the world’s highest sea cliffs. Perhaps size is a major factor in safety ratings – at the time of the 2000 census, there were only 122 residents. It’s certainly one of the safest places in Hawaii.

Learn more about Molokai. Kalaupapa, HI 96742, USA

  1. Schofield Barracks, Oahu

U.S. Pacific Command/Flickr The safety rating has got to be due to the fact that Schofield is a military installation. Access to the base is obviously restricted, and the only crimes are committed by those with a military ID, or whom have been sponsored on base by a military ID holder.

Check out what Schofield Barracks looked like in the 1930s. Schofield Barracks, HI 96857, USA

  1. Hanalei, Kauai

Ik T/Flickr Hanalei is home to a mere 450 residents, and means “lei making” or “crescent bay” in Hawaiian. It’s hard to imagine much crime could occur in such a picturesque setting.

Find out more about Hanalei, Kauai. Hanalei, HI, USA

  1. Kilauea, Kauai

Robin J Phillips/Flickr Once nicknamed the “Guava Capitol of the World,” Kilauea is home to just over 2,200 residents, and comprises a mere 1.5 square miles of land.

Read about this great restaurant in Kilauea, Kauai. Kilauea, HI 96754, USA

  1. Laupahoehoe, Big Island

Jen/Flickr Meaning “lava tip,” the name refers to the angular cape or lava tip formed by ancient slow lava flows, which created the cape on which the village of less than 600 residents now sits.

Check out this cool museum in Laupahoehoe. Laupahoehoe, HI 96764, USA

  1. Haleiwa, Oahu

Keoni Cabral/Flickr A surfing mecca in the winter, and a sleepy tourism town during the summer, Haleiwa is home to approximately 4,000 residents, and is full of small boutiques, restaurants, shave ice establishments, and surf shops.

Find out more about Haleiwa. Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

  1. Mililani Town, Oahu

Harlan Sheppard/Flickr The first homes in Mililani went on sale in 1968, and the city is now home to approximately 48,000 residents. In 1986, Mililani was named an All-American city, the first in the state to receive such a distinction.

Read more about Mililani. Mililani, HI 96789, USA

  1. Paauilo, Big Island

Tandy Penn/Flickr Encompassing just 1.2 square miles on the Big Island is this small town with less than 600 residents and a median age of 37 years.

Check out more about the big island. Paauilo, HI 96776, USA

  1. Kapolei, Oahu

Travis.Thurston/Wikipedia Finishing up the list of the safest places to live in Hawaii is Kapolei, Oahu. Hawaii officials have dubbed Kapolei the “second urban center” of Oahu, and much of the growth planned for Oahu’s future population is projected for the Kapolei area. The current population for the city is approximately 15,000.

Check out this Oahu road trip for more of this pretty island. Kapolei, HI, USA

Of course, this isn’t to say that other cities are not safe, just that, based on crime statistics, these are the safest. I’m pretty excited to learn that my town made this list, though. Did yours?

Dave Seidman/Flickr

Though sources say that Makaweli is the safest place to live in Hawaii, it is no longer known by that name, but instead by Kaumakai, a small town with a population of approximately 600 located on the southern shore of Kauai.

If you like this sweet town, enjoy the rest of the island on this hidden road trip in Kauai.

Kaumakani, HI, USA

Warren Antiola/Flickr

The small fishing village is the site of a former leper colony, and is situated at the base of some of the world’s highest sea cliffs. Perhaps size is a major factor in safety ratings – at the time of the 2000 census, there were only 122 residents. It’s certainly one of the safest places in Hawaii.

Learn more about Molokai.

Kalaupapa, HI 96742, USA

U.S. Pacific Command/Flickr

The safety rating has got to be due to the fact that Schofield is a military installation. Access to the base is obviously restricted, and the only crimes are committed by those with a military ID, or whom have been sponsored on base by a military ID holder.

Check out what Schofield Barracks looked like in the 1930s.

Schofield Barracks, HI 96857, USA

Ik T/Flickr

Hanalei is home to a mere 450 residents, and means “lei making” or “crescent bay” in Hawaiian. It’s hard to imagine much crime could occur in such a picturesque setting.

Find out more about Hanalei, Kauai.

Hanalei, HI, USA

Robin J Phillips/Flickr

Once nicknamed the “Guava Capitol of the World,” Kilauea is home to just over 2,200 residents, and comprises a mere 1.5 square miles of land.

Read about this great restaurant in Kilauea, Kauai.

Kilauea, HI 96754, USA

Jen/Flickr

Meaning “lava tip,” the name refers to the angular cape or lava tip formed by ancient slow lava flows, which created the cape on which the village of less than 600 residents now sits.

Check out this cool museum in Laupahoehoe.

Laupahoehoe, HI 96764, USA

Keoni Cabral/Flickr

A surfing mecca in the winter, and a sleepy tourism town during the summer, Haleiwa is home to approximately 4,000 residents, and is full of small boutiques, restaurants, shave ice establishments, and surf shops.

Find out more about Haleiwa.

Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

Harlan Sheppard/Flickr

The first homes in Mililani went on sale in 1968, and the city is now home to approximately 48,000 residents. In 1986, Mililani was named an All-American city, the first in the state to receive such a distinction.

Read more about Mililani.

Mililani, HI 96789, USA

Tandy Penn/Flickr

Encompassing just 1.2 square miles on the Big Island is this small town with less than 600 residents and a median age of 37 years.

Check out more about the big island.

Paauilo, HI 96776, USA

Travis.Thurston/Wikipedia

Finishing up the list of the safest places to live in Hawaii is Kapolei, Oahu. Hawaii officials have dubbed Kapolei the “second urban center” of Oahu, and much of the growth planned for Oahu’s future population is projected for the Kapolei area. The current population for the city is approximately 15,000.

Check out this Oahu road trip for more of this pretty island.

Kapolei, HI, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Places to Live in Hawaii June 07, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What are the most scenic towns in Hawaii? Hawaii is essentially one big scenic view, so it’s definitely hard to pick just a few. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of 18 of the most scenic towns in Hawaii. On the beautiful island of Oahu, there is Kailua, Hauula, Makaha, and, of course, the famous Honolulu. If you’re looking for beautiful towns on the island of Kauai, definitely head to Waimea, Hanapepe, Wailua, and Hanalei. Hana, Maui is another incredible choice. Its beauty has brought it fame and you will see why it’s a popular destination when you take in the gorgeous blue water and natural formations. What are the most unique towns in Hawaii? Hawaii is amazing when it comes to finding interesting places to go. You’ll never get bored going to these intriguing and unique towns in Hawaii. These towns have an old-fashioned charm that you’ll love. Going to Hilo, for example, is like going back in time. The stores and colors have kept their vintage look over the years, and you’ll be glad they did! This town is definitely photo-worthy, so get ready to pose! Another retro-chic town is Lanai City. It has tons of history, as it is the site of the first sugar mill and the Dole Pineapple plantation. What are the creepiest places in Hawaii? While most of Hawaii is peaceful and beautiful, there are some places you can find that will send shivers down your spine! If you’re craving some thrills and chills, check out some haunted places in Hawaii. The most famous option is the Kaimuki House in Honolulu. Beware of the spirits when you step into this haunted house. Its extra-scary tale of a ghost who eats people will scare even the most steeled people.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Places to Live in Hawaii

June 07, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

What are the most scenic towns in Hawaii? Hawaii is essentially one big scenic view, so it’s definitely hard to pick just a few. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of 18 of the most scenic towns in Hawaii. On the beautiful island of Oahu, there is Kailua, Hauula, Makaha, and, of course, the famous Honolulu. If you’re looking for beautiful towns on the island of Kauai, definitely head to Waimea, Hanapepe, Wailua, and Hanalei. Hana, Maui is another incredible choice. Its beauty has brought it fame and you will see why it’s a popular destination when you take in the gorgeous blue water and natural formations. What are the most unique towns in Hawaii? Hawaii is amazing when it comes to finding interesting places to go. You’ll never get bored going to these intriguing and unique towns in Hawaii. These towns have an old-fashioned charm that you’ll love. Going to Hilo, for example, is like going back in time. The stores and colors have kept their vintage look over the years, and you’ll be glad they did! This town is definitely photo-worthy, so get ready to pose! Another retro-chic town is Lanai City. It has tons of history, as it is the site of the first sugar mill and the Dole Pineapple plantation. What are the creepiest places in Hawaii? While most of Hawaii is peaceful and beautiful, there are some places you can find that will send shivers down your spine! If you’re craving some thrills and chills, check out some haunted places in Hawaii. The most famous option is the Kaimuki House in Honolulu. Beware of the spirits when you step into this haunted house. Its extra-scary tale of a ghost who eats people will scare even the most steeled people.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hawaii is essentially one big scenic view, so it’s definitely hard to pick just a few. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of 18 of the most scenic towns in Hawaii. On the beautiful island of Oahu, there is Kailua, Hauula, Makaha, and, of course, the famous Honolulu. If you’re looking for beautiful towns on the island of Kauai, definitely head to Waimea, Hanapepe, Wailua, and Hanalei. Hana, Maui is another incredible choice. Its beauty has brought it fame and you will see why it’s a popular destination when you take in the gorgeous blue water and natural formations.

What are the most unique towns in Hawaii?

Hawaii is amazing when it comes to finding interesting places to go. You’ll never get bored going to these intriguing and unique towns in Hawaii. These towns have an old-fashioned charm that you’ll love. Going to Hilo, for example, is like going back in time. The stores and colors have kept their vintage look over the years, and you’ll be glad they did! This town is definitely photo-worthy, so get ready to pose! Another retro-chic town is Lanai City. It has tons of history, as it is the site of the first sugar mill and the Dole Pineapple plantation.

What are the creepiest places in Hawaii?

While most of Hawaii is peaceful and beautiful, there are some places you can find that will send shivers down your spine! If you’re craving some thrills and chills, check out some haunted places in Hawaii. The most famous option is the Kaimuki House in Honolulu. Beware of the spirits when you step into this haunted house. Its extra-scary tale of a ghost who eats people will scare even the most steeled people.