Just be aware that as of yesterday (March 7), Chain of Craters Road, all east rift and coastal trails, and Kulanaokuaiki Campground are closed until further notice.
Check the Hawaii Volcano Park website for updates.
Because, disappointingly, crime is something we will have to be concerned about on our trip, are there islands where this is less of a concern? I figure Honolulu is probably going to be the area petty crime is most prevalent, but what about other areas on Oahu? Same question for the other islands
Also, some have mentioned hiking and other activities, such as viewing the Kilauea lava flows at night, which are things I really want to do. Will we have to be concerned, from a crime perspective, if we are out alone at night on Big Island? Maui?
I’m trying not to concentrate on the negatives, but I really am astonished at how much I’m reading about crime in Hawaii, and would like to know others’ experiences in this regard.
We had no issues at all on Kauai or the Big Island. The only place I got the sense we had to be concerned was on Oahu.
I was with two other women and we were fine wandering around at night.
Most of the crime is limited to personal property crime. Very rarely will you read about an assault. In all my years of traveling, I’ve never been robbed. Here’s my common sense advice (which is pretty much the same for Bermuda as it is for Hawaii):
- Leave your expensive jewelry at home, including your diamond engagement ring. Hawaii is very, very casual and you’ll look out of place dripping in gold anyway. Similarly, leave the Rolex at home and wear a waterproof sports watch instead.
Besides, leaving it at home will give you an excuse/opportunity to shop for organic jewelry pieces from local artisans.
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Bring a packback as your carry-on. Then when you’re on island, you can use it to stow all your valuables (and towels and water and lunch) when you hike.
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Invest in an Aquapac. They are waterproof plastic cases that you can store your wallet, keys, cell phone, and pocket-sized camera in when you’re in the water. No need to leave them under your towel on the beach.
We use this one whenever we go snorkeling: http://www.aquapac.net/usastore/water-drybags-belt-case-901-0.html
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Leave your car doors unlocked and your windows cracked. You’ve taken everything of value in your backpack/Aquapac, so give thieves the not-so-subtle message that what’s left is theirs to take, should they want it.
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For the love of all that is holy, do not park and then throw stuff in the trunk. Assume roadside/beachside thieves are watching and will assume that what you threw in the trunk has value. If you really do have something valuable (e.g. a computer) and you simply must take it with you, then put it in the trunk before you arrive at your destination.
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Take advantage of in-room safes. No need to carry every bit of cash you’ve brought at all times. Don’t assume that the minimum wage housekeeper isn’t going to try and supplement her income with your valuables.
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Think twice about lugging that D70 Nikon camera with the bugle-sized zoom lens, especially if you’re going to get lazy and leave it in the car. Consider taking a pocket-sized, high-resolution camera instead.
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Treat locals as family. Approach with smiles. Ask about their families. Buy rounds of beer. Be patient.
Happy travels!
Word. I saw a team work this scam once in Maui at a beach park. I (stupidly) went back to the car and stuck a camera housing in the trunk. My spidey senses were tingling, and I saw a guy on a bike obviously not looking at me. As I walked away I glanced back and he was on his cell. Looked again and he was not, - he walked his bike over to a spot where he could overlook the beach.
I ducked down, scooted up another beach entrance and back to the car. Total time elapsed: about 150 seconds. Got back to the car just in time to see a guy on a small scooter and backpack zoom up to the back of our car. He stopped. Looked at me. I looked directly at him. Said “Aloha”. He zoomed away. First guy was, at this point, nowhere in sight.
I’m convinced that I missed getting my trunk broken into by about 30 seconds.