Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is Kailua-Kona safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kailua-Kona 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 29 October 2026
82
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime76/100GoodCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Mostly positive)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
12k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime, including robbery, is rare in Kailua-Kona.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePetty theft like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in tourist-heavy areas.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers generally find Kailua-Kona safe, with most concerns revolving around petty theft rather than violent crime.
Kailua-Kona is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates and a relaxed atmosphere.
While official advisories suggest exercising increased caution, this is a broad recommendation for the US and doesn't reflect specific high risks in Kailua-Kona. Petty theft is the most common concern for visitors, but violent crime is rare.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Police investigated a stabbing incident following a fight between two injured men in Kailua-Kona.— KITV
- Jun 2026Two individuals were charged in connection with an assault at Kailua-Kona Pier.— West Hawaii Today
- Mar 2026Police arrested three men after shots were fired in a recreational shooting area near a Kailua-Kona school.— KITV
- Apr 2026A severe weather event and concurrent hazards led to an emergency proclamation for Hawaii County.— Hawaii County.gov
Common scams
- Tour and activity scams
- Taxi and transport scams
- Street scams
Full briefing
Kailua-Kona offers a generally safe environment for visitors, with a crime rate significantly below the national average. While official travel advisories for the US suggest exercising increased caution, this is a broad recommendation and does not point to specific elevated risks within Kailua-Kona itself. The most common issues travelers encounter are related to petty theft, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.
Recent reports indicate isolated incidents of violence, including a stabbing in June 2026 and an assault at Kailua-Kona Pier around the same time. Additionally, there were reports of shots fired near a school in March 2026. While these events are concerning, they appear to be isolated and do not suggest a widespread increase in crime affecting tourists. Severe weather events have also occurred, prompting emergency proclamations, but these are typically weather-related disruptions rather than direct safety threats to visitors.
To ensure a safe trip, travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, especially in busy tourist spots and along Alii Drive, a popular area for walking. It is advisable to secure valuables and avoid leaving them unattended, particularly on beaches or in vehicles. Using official taxis or reputable ride-sharing services is recommended for transportation. Be wary of unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, as tour and activity scams are among the reported risks.
Was this Kailua-Kona, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Kailua-Kona districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Kailua-Kona safety map.
Kailua-Kona Town CentercautionCan experience petty theft and occasional altercations, especially after dark.
Areas near recreational shooting rangescautionRecent reports of shots fired near schools necessitate awareness.
Ali'i Drive AreasaferMain tourist strip, generally safe with moderate police presence.
Kona International Airport AreasaferCommercial and transport hub, low crime.
HolualoasaferResidential and arts district, quiet and safe.
KeauhousaferResort and residential area, generally safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Kailua-Kona safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Violent crime, including robbery, is rare in Kailua-Kona.
After dark, be most careful around Kailua-Kona Town Center, Areas near recreational shooting ranges. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kailua-Kona safety FAQ (2026)
Is Kailua-Kona safe right now (2026)?
Kailua-Kona is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates and a relaxed atmosphere. While official advisories suggest exercising increased caution, this is a broad recommendation for the US and doesn't reflect specific high risks in Kailua-Kona. Petty theft is the most common concern for visitors, but violent crime is rare. (Assessed 29 October 2026.)
Is Kailua-Kona safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Kailua-Kona 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.
Which areas of Kailua-Kona should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Kailua-Kona (2026)?
- Tour and activity scams
- Taxi and transport scams
- Street scams
How does Kailua-Kona compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Kailua-Kona ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 82/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this kailua-kona safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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.
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Raw data: kailua-kona.json (CC BY 4.0).