Is Honolulu safe?
Safe for most visitors. Car break-ins at trailheads and beaches, ocean hazards and homelessness in parts of Waikiki and Chinatown are the main issues.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Honolulu at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins at beaches and hiking trailheads, bag theft on beaches, and occasional petty crime in Waikiki. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | Waikiki stays lively and well-lit late; elsewhere is quiet. Use TheBus or rideshare after dark, not unlit beach paths. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in Waikiki bars, avoid empty beaches and trails after dark, and use rideshare late. |
| Other risks | Strong currents and shore break; heed lifeguard flags; Flash floods and falls on hiking trails; Strong sun: UV is extreme year-round |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Timeshare touts offering free breakfasts, tours or luaus
- Unlicensed tour sellers offering cheap discounts on Waikiki streets
- Overpriced rental scooters and snorkel gear with damage claims
- Valet or parking attendants charging steep cash fees
Take care
- Leaving valuables in parked cars at beaches or trailheads
- Chinatown and Kalakaua Avenue late at night
- Ocean swimming without lifeguards, especially in winter
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Honolulu compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Honolulu safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in Waikiki bars, avoid empty beaches and trails after dark, and use rideshare late.
Is Honolulu safe at night?
Waikiki stays lively and well-lit late; elsewhere is quiet. Use TheBus or rideshare after dark, not unlit beach paths.
What is the crime rate in Honolulu?
Car break-ins at beaches and hiking trailheads, bag theft on beaches, and occasional petty crime in Waikiki. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Honolulu?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Honolulu
Going to Honolulu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Honolulu meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- TheBus and Skyline (Oahu Transit Services / Honolulu DTS)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
- Hawaii Tourism Authority (Go Hawaii)
- Honolulu Board of Water Supply
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.