United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Honolulu scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Honolulu is safe for visitors, though petty theft and occasional flooding risks require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 28 July 2026
76
/ 100
Safer than ~81% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have risen slightly in tourist districts during nighttime hours
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in Waikiki, Ala Moana Center and on public buses
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
67/100
Recent traveler forums report feeling generally safe during daylight, but many note heightened awareness of pickpockets and occasional street‑level scams.
Yes — Honolulu is safe for visitors, though petty theft and occasional flooding risks require vigilance.
Hawaii's capital scores 80/100 on the composite safety index, placing it well above the global average, with strong scores for health, environment and government guidance. While violent crime is low, recent flooding and localized crime spikes mean travelers should stay alert and follow local advice.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Honolulu remains one of the safest U.S. destinations for travelers, with a composite safety index of 80/100 and strong scores for health, environment and official guidance. Violent crime is low, but the city’s crime index of 47.3 reflects a moderate risk of petty theft, especially pickpocketing in crowded tourist zones such as Waikiki, Ala Moana Center and on city buses. Recent data shows a spike in pickpocket incidents during peak evening hours, and mugging remains rare but has edged upward in some nightlife districts.
The most pressing safety concern right now is weather‑related. In March 2026, heavy rains triggered flash flooding on Oahu, evacuating more than 4,000 people and damaging homes and roads. Although the floodwaters have receded, authorities continue to warn visitors to avoid low‑lying areas after storms and to heed any emergency alerts. Additionally, a helicopter crash in Kaua’i in March 2026 highlighted the inherent risks of island sightseeing tours; while unrelated to theft, it underscores the need to choose licensed, well‑reviewed operators.
Recent scams targeting visitors include unlicensed taxi drivers who overcharge and fake tour or souvenir vendors who pressure tourists into purchases. To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services, keep valuables hidden and use hotel safes for passports and extra cash, and remain alert to your surroundings in busy areas. Monitor local weather updates and avoid flood‑prone zones after heavy rain, and always verify the credentials of any aerial or adventure tour before booking. By following these steps, you can enjoy Honolulu’s beaches and culture with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Honolulu districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Honolulu safety map.
WaikikicautionTourist hub with high foot traffic; petty theft like bag snatching common after dark
Kaka'akocautionUrban core undergoing redevelopment; occasional break-ins reported in unsecured rentals
KapoleicautionSuburban center with mixed safety; avoid isolated parking lots at night
Diamond HeadsaferResidential area with low crime, popular with visitors staying near the park
North ShoresaferRural coastal area known for surfing; minimal crime but watch surf safety during high swells
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have risen slightly in tourist districts during nighttime hours
After dark, be most careful around Waikiki, Kaka'ako, Kapolei. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Honolulu is safe for visitors, though petty theft and occasional flooding risks require vigilance. Hawaii's capital scores 80/100 on the composite safety index, placing it well above the global average, with strong scores for health, environment and government guidance. While violent crime is low, recent flooding and localized crime spikes mean travelers should stay alert and follow local advice. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Honolulu report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Waikiki after dark; Kapolei industrial zones at night. See the district-by-district safety map.
Honolulu ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: honolulu.json (CC BY 4.0).
