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.

  1. Fern Forest

Hawaii Life/Website 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. Fern Forest, HI 96778, USA

  1. Eden Roc

Sean Hoyer/Flickr 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. Eden Roc, HI, USA

  1. Naalehu

Sid Sowder/Flickr 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." Naalehu, HI 96772, USA

  1. Ualapu’e

Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr 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. Ualapue, HI 96748, USA

  1. Maunaloa

Andy Beal/Flickr 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. Maunaloa, HI 96770, USA

  1. Pahoa

Alex Avriette/Flickr 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. P?hoa, HI 96778, USA

  1. Honomu

Ruthdaniel3444/Flickr 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. Honomu, HI 96728, USA

  1. Nanakuli

Andy Eick/Flickr 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. N?n?kuli, HI 96792, USA

  1. Kurtistown

Perrinville/Wikipedia, Public Domain 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. Kurtistown, HI, USA

  1. Hilo

Mark Kortum/Flickr 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. Hilo, HI 96720, USA

  1. Kukuihaele

Rosa Say/Flickr 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. Kukuihaele, HI 96727, USA

  1. Waianae

Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr 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. Waianae, HI 96792, USA

  1. Halaula

Larry O’Brien/Flickr 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. Halaula, HI 96755, USA

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.

Hawaii Life/Website

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.

Fern Forest, HI 96778, USA

Sean Hoyer/Flickr

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.

Eden Roc, HI, USA

Sid Sowder/Flickr

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.”

Naalehu, HI 96772, USA

Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr

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.

Ualapue, HI 96748, USA

Andy Beal/Flickr

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.

Maunaloa, HI 96770, USA

Alex Avriette/Flickr

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.

P?hoa, HI 96778, USA

Ruthdaniel3444/Flickr

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.

Honomu, HI 96728, USA

Andy Eick/Flickr

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.

N?n?kuli, HI 96792, USA

Perrinville/Wikipedia, Public Domain

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.

Kurtistown, HI, USA

Mark Kortum/Flickr

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.

Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Rosa Say/Flickr

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.

Kukuihaele, HI 96727, USA

Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr

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.

Waianae, HI 96792, USA

Larry O’Brien/Flickr

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.

Halaula, HI 96755, USA

Looking for more advice about the dangers in Hawaii? Here Are The 11 Most Dangerous Places In Hawaii After Dark.

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Address: Hawaii, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Towns In Hawaii March 10, 2022 Megan McDonald 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.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Towns In Hawaii

March 10, 2022

Megan McDonald

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.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

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.