11 Dangerous Things And Places To Avoid In Oahu

Crime In Oahu

Let’s begin with the total crime on the island.

Oahu is split into regions (Downtown, Makaha, East Oahu, and more) with each one having a distinct character to it. Some parts are safer than others as noted both through real-life experiences and verified crime rates. 

Based on official research, certain regions are known for pickpocketing and wide-ranging theft. This includes areas around the leading tourist attractions including state parks. 

The stats show:

• 718 Robberies 
• 250 Rapes
• 3,225 Burglaries
• 1,260 Assaults

This is over a calendar year in the downtown area of Honolulu. The average crime rate per 100 is high in some parts and it’s best to stay careful. This includes violent crime, property crime, and more.

This is a snapshot of the general crime recorded on the island. However, these stats can be broken down into greater detail by assessing where most of them take place including which areas are deemed to be unsafe. 

For the most part, Oahu still has a lower national average crime rate than other parts of Hawaii.

Places To Avoid In Oahu

1. Makaha

Makaha is located along the West coast of the island. With a small population of 9,000+ residents, it’s not a bustling region known for its new developments, regional growth, or tourist-friendly improvements.

It’s recommended to avoid going to Makaha as it is a part of the infamous West coast, which has a bad reputation for its criminal activity. 

Most tourists that do come to Makaha wish to surf. The area is renowned for being surf-friendly, which is often appealing to those who want to test the waters themselves. 

While this sounds tempting, Makaha is not as well-developed as the rest of Oahu. This means it does not have tourist-friendly amenities including restaurants, hotels, and/or sophisticated facilities. 

2. Downtown Honolulu

Downtown Honolulu is a common place for tourists to visit and rightly so. It’s vibrant, unique, and offers an unforgettable look into the lifestyle of Oahu residents.

However, the downtown core also welcomes crime. The reported crime rate tends to resonate from this part of the island making it important to remain vigilant. 

A great comparison of what this area would be like is similar to the rough parts of Los Angeles or Chicago. It can be hit-or-miss depending on the time of day you’re out and it’s not recommended to go walking around the downtown core at night.

These issues might not come to the surface during the day when more people are out. However, it can be a concern at night in the downtown core.

If you do step out, do so in groups as it will keep you safe. This is a strategy that should be applied to all parts of Oahu not just downtown Honolulu. 

3. Ewa Beach

Ewa Beach is located on the coast of Māmala Bay. It’s a small, traditional area that’s commonly associated with more old-fashioned Hawaiian culture. This includes how the people converse, their norms, and general practices. 

On its own, this is not a concern as immersing yourself in the culture is a positive. Yet, there’s a tremendous amount of negativity surrounding the region and this is also a recognized concern among the locals.

What are these concerns?

Robberies and criminal activity are a noted threat here. People frequently mention attempted robberies and constant lawlessness at all times of the day. This can be a legitimate problem for tourists wishing to spend time in the area.

For those who do wish to check out Ewa Beach, it’s best to do so during the day. This includes paying attention to your surroundings, choosing public places, and keeping all of your expensive belongings where you’re staying.  

4. Waipahu

Waipahu is a small town in Oahu and has long been associated with its sugarcane production. There was a time this was an economic powerhouse due to the ongoing production of sugarcane.

So, what makes Waipahu a dangerous place you should avoid?

A common expression used for Waipahu is that it’s a “shady” place not ideal for those who are not used to handling such conditions. This includes constant criminal activities in various parts of the town and most tourists will not notice this transition between areas in Waipahu until it’s too late.

You will also recognize how messy the area can be. It is not as clean, which also signifies the lack of care in Waipahu as it is more of a rundown town. You will be enveloped by a nauseating stench as Waipahu has a terrible smell due to the unkept grounds, excessive smoke, and general disrepair in the area.

It’s common for you to come across addicts and/or individuals that are grittier than others you might see in Oahu. You will also see homelessness in various parts of Waipahu, which can be concerning as this also brings along with it drugs, abuse, nudity, and more.

It’s not recommended to walk into this area at night. Even walking around Waipahu in the day is not an ideal option as there are much better parts of the island for you to visit and stay in. 

Of course, this does not mean you will get attacked as soon as you enter Waipahu. However, the chances of coming across one of these issues during your time there are sky-high. This alone is reason enough to avoid Waipahu during your trip. 

5. State Park Parking Lots

This is an interesting one because most people are going to go to the state parks in Oahu. After all, this is one of the more appealing elements of coming to such a magnificent island with its abundance of natural beauty.  

State parks are one of those aspects of Oahu that demand thorough planning.

This includes paying attention to your surroundings, not walking around with valuables, and ensuring you are not entering areas where you’re alone for too long. The reason this is suggested is due to tourists becoming marks.

This happens when criminals will target specific tourists in a bid to rob them. This can be a simple pickpocketing experience or something far worse depending on a person’s luck or perhaps bad luck. 

It’s important to note that the state parks themselves are not the issue. It’s the parking lots where this happens more often than not.

If you are spending time in these parking lots, it’s best to get into the car and drive off rather than sitting there for too long. This will keep you safe and ensure any robbery attempt fails or is evaded. 

There are countless stories of this happening and it’s best for tourists to not stay in the parking lots longer than they have to. 

6. Waianae

Waianae is usually seen as a one-way part of Oahu because it is separate from the rest of the places on the island. It has an isolated ambiance, which can be concerning for those who are arriving in the area for the first time.

It has a unique culture as most people in Waianae have preserved their roots and maintained their way of life including the poverty. As a result, the area has not been as developed as the rest of the island.

Don’t do this and always watch from afar. 

8. Walking Alone At Night

This is a universal rule you should follow when in Oahu.

The island is a fascinating place to visit and offers a wide array of attractions, cultural experiences, and good food. It’s normal for tourists to want to explore the island and take in the various sights to their heart’s content.

Yes, all of those things are positives but only during the day. When the sun goes down, it’s not a good idea to walk around on your own. In many areas, this can expose you to criminal activity as you might not be as aware of your surroundings during the dark. 

This can also lead to exposure to drug-related elements in different neighborhoods. The national drug intelligence at the drug intelligence center has done an exceptional job of removing these elements but it’s still important to protect yourself.

If you do wish to head outside on the island at night, it’s best to go together as a couple or as a group depending on how many people are with you on the trip.

9. Night Swimming In The Ocean

Swimming is enticing due to the warm waters of Oahu and people do wish to go for a dip on their trip.

There are numerous areas where a person can swim during the day. However, the same areas are not a good option during the night. You will even see signs indicating this around the island.

Why should you not swim during the night?

It’s harder to gauge the waves during the night, which can lead to a person drowning regardless of how well they swim. It’s also difficult to spot wildlife in the water leading to an attack.

Leave the swimming for the hotel swimming pool if you wish to wet your toes during the night. 

10. Turning Away From The Ocean

This is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make whether it’s during the day or the night.

The waves around Oahu are often misread. It might seem like the water is going to be coming in gently when it’s going to come with force. You need to keep your eyes on the water at all times.

Turning away from the ocean when you’re nearby is a bad idea and always a point tourists should be aware of.

There have been many instances of tourists getting swept away by the water because they turned their backs to the ocean. Even on a quiet, sunny day, this is a danger you should be aware of. 

11. Walking Around Town With Expensive Possessions 

It’s best to keep all expensive items in your room.

Taking those items with you is going to make you a walking target. Criminals in specific areas including state park parking lots are going to seek out individuals with these items.

This can include anything you’re carrying in your bag such as a laptop or jewelry. It is best to stash those items in the room rather than walking around with them throughout your trip.