Hawaii is well-known for its warm and sunny weather, stunning beaches, and rich mix of different cultures. However, the state is also dealing with a concerning issue of violent crimes. In the FBI’s most recent report for 2020, Hawaii had a murder rate of 2.9 per 100,000 people. This means it had the seventh-lowest murder rate in the country.
When we look at the average across the entire state, we can see that there are big differences between the islands and cities in Hawaii. This article explores the statistics to find out which city in Hawaii has the highest number of homicides per person. This city is known as the murder capital of Hawaii.
The city with the highest number of murders in Hawaii is Honolulu
Honolulu is the biggest city and capital of Hawaii. It is known for having the highest number of murders in the state. Surprisingly, even though Honolulu has a population of over 980,000 people, it had a very high percentage of the total murders in the entire state. There were 35 recorded murders in Honolulu in 2020, which accounted for 85% of the total statewide. The murder rate is 3.6 per 100,000 people, which is higher than both the state and national averages.
It is worrying to see that the number of murders in Honolulu increased by 59% compared to the previous year, when there were only 22 murders. The increase in murder cases can be explained by several reasons, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence, gang activities, drug trafficking, and mental health problems. In 2020, there were several important murder cases in Honolulu. Some of them were:
- A police officer and two civilians were killed in a shooting incident. The shooter also set fire to his home and several other houses in Diamond Head on January 19.
- A woman was killed by her husband in a stabbing incident on February 18. Afterward, the husband jumped off a freeway overpass.
- A man was tragically shot and killed by his neighbor, who then committed suicide on March 29.
- Four suspects were arrested on May 16 for brutally beating a homeless man to death.
- A woman was tragically shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, who then ended his own life on July 28th.
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More cities in Hawaii that are considered dangerous
Even though Honolulu has the highest murder rate, other cities in Hawaii may also have safety concerns. According to information from the FBI, there were a total of six reported murders in other cities in Hawaii in 2020.
- Hilo, which is the biggest city on the Big Island, had three murders in 2020. This means that there were 3.1 murders for every 100,000 people living there.
- Kailua is the second-largest city on Oahu. In 2020, there were two murders in Kailua, which means there was a murder rate of 1.8 per 100,000 people.
- Kahului is the biggest city on Maui. In 2020, there was one murder, which means the murder rate was 1.4 per 100,000 people.
- Kapolei, the city that is growing the fastest on the island of Oahu, had one murder in 2020. This means that there was a murder rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people.
- Kihei, the second-largest city on Maui, had one murder in 2020. This means the murder rate was 1.3 per 100,000 people.
Waipahu is the third-largest city on Oahu. In 2020, there was one murder in the city, which means there was a murder rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people.
Tips for Staying Safe in Hawaii
Honolulu has higher murder rates than some other cities, but it is still considered relatively safe overall. NeighborhoodScout says that it is safer than 42% of cities in the US when it comes to crime. It is important for both people who live in Hawaii and those who are visiting to pay attention and follow safety measures, especially in Honolulu. For your safety, here are some important tips to remember.
- It’s best to not walk alone at night or in places you’re not familiar with.
- Make sure to lock the doors and windows before you leave your home or hotel room.
- Make sure you don’t leave any valuable or personal items unattended or visible in your car.
- Pay attention to what’s happening around you and let the police know if you see anything suspicious.
- Do not engage in illegal activities like using drugs or gambling.
- Avoid carrying a lot of money or wearing valuable jewelry.
- If you are in danger, do not fight back or try to make the attacker angry. Instead, ask for help from the police or emergency services in your area.
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