Why is hawaii so dangerous

Hawaii is a safe place to visit, although there are some urban areas that are unsafe. Hawaii’s cities are considered relatively safe, although Waikiki is an area that has become more unsafe over the last few years. Hawaii’s violent crime rate of 2.9 incidents per 1,000 people is low compared to other U.S. cities. By comparison, Detroit boasts a whopping 19.5 per 1,000 people.

Parts of Oahu like Iwalai and Honolulu’s Aala Park can be dangerous for a tourist, although other areas of the island are safe if you use common sense. While Maui is considered a beautiful island, it’s also the most dangerous with a high violent crime rate. The waters around Hawaii can be very dangerous as well, and famous surf spots like Jaws are some of the most dangerous in the world.

Covid Update: Starting July 8, 2021, Hawaii is allowing domestic travelers who have been fully vaccinated anywhere in the United States to skip quarantine without getting a COVID test. “To qualify for the quarantine exemption, travelers need to upload one of three documents to Hawaii’s Safe Travels website: An official CDC vaccination card, a federal VAMS printout, or ― for military members ― a DD Form 2766C.” – Hawaii News Now. Before planning a trip to Hawaii, you should be familiar with the current case count there and the risks associated with Covid-19. Additionally, if you’re considering traveling there, please familiarize yourself with Hawaii’s Covid-19 website: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/

UPDATES: A lot has changed in Hawaii. I recently was in Oahu for the July 4th weekend, and the crowds were insane. Make sure to read my update below in the section: Major Travel Updates (per July 2021).

Tropical and isolated

Hawaii sits isolated in the middle of the Pacific. While it has a reputation for being very prideful as a state, it’s geographically and culturally different on almost every island. So to answer, “Is Hawaii safe” or “Is Hawaii a safe place to visit”, we must dive into each island and discuss its regions and cultures. Each island is vastly different and therefore I am going to attempt to detail them each individually.

Diverse landscapes

The diversity of these islands is what really makes them so magical. From the tourist-lined beaches of Oahu to the places they shot some of Jurassic Park, the Napali Coast of Kauai. You can’t just categorize Hawaii as a beach bum’s paradise. That would do the culture and islands injustice.

I mean you’re talking about people that sat alone for 100’s of years. It was colonized by Polynesians that literally navigated by the stars all the way from the Marquesas Islands. That’s 2,000 miles away. To give you an idea of how far that is, Los Angeles is 2,400 miles from Hawaii, and it takes about 5 hours by plane just to get there.

Did you know? The great Hawaiian big wave rider Laird Hamilton was almost lost at sea.

“The film industry inadvertently led him to experience his most death-defying moment— aside from surfing a seven-story giant wave in Tahiti, named the riskiest in the world. While acting as Kevin Costner’s body double in the 1995 film, Waterworld, Hamilton was also nearly lost at sea. “[I was lost] long enough to get scared,” he admits now. “The fog was really bad, so there was low visibility and a unique current that was a lot stronger than normal, so it pulled me way off course. If it wasn’t for the coast guard, I don’t know if I’d be here right now. I’m lucky that I had an emergency tracking device and that they actually found me.”

— hauteliving.com

Do as the locals do, but not everything

I remember after a wild party in college, I crawled into the back bed of a pickup truck to get a ride home. It was one of the scariest rides I’ve taken. I remember hitting bumps and lifting off my seat. I thought at any moment that I might launch straight out of the truck and become roadkill. This though in Hawaii is not only perfectly legal, but you’ll see it quite a bit. While it might look fun seeing friends relaxing in beach chairs in the back of a pickup speeding down the highway, this is actually super-duper dangerous. There are also countless incidents of deaths due to this. Just don’t do it. “Right now, Hawaii law allows passengers over the age of 12 to ride in the bed of a pickup truck if all the seats in the cab are filled. The truck must have secure side panels and the tailgate must be closed.” – Hawaii Public Radio

Respect the culture

Hawaiians are U.S. citizens, and they also have a lot of pride in their Polynesian roots. This is a state deeply rooted in their culture. And you need to remember, this is also a culture that was invaded countless times. So while it may seem like they get a lot of benefits from American culture (i.e. Walmart), the reality is the rich white guy is buying up the islands. So just be cognizant that they were their first, and you’re a visitor. The truth is, the Hawaiian islands were colonized long before they became a State.

Not everyone is native Hawaiian

Look, I’ll be the first to admit, I use to have trouble with facial features. Mainly because of a lack of exposure to different cultures growing up. Although after traveling to Asia a lot, I sort of got very accustomed to distinguishing differences. There are a lot of Asians living in Hawaii. Specifically Filipinos and Japanese. And while some, especially Filipinos, can share similarities, they are not native Hawaiians. Remember, Hawaii is America, and like a lot of places in the U.S., there’s diversity.

“The 2010 census showed that Filipinos surpassed Japanese as Hawaii’s second-largest racial group. The total population of Filipinos was 342,095 of which 197,497 were full Filipinos, the total population of Japanese was 312,292 of which 185,502 were full Japanese.” – Wikipedia

Don’t drink and drive

Hawaii is ranked #1 in the U.S. for fatalities related to drinking and driving. It’s a laid-back vibe. Plenty of barbeques, family gatherings, and raging surf parties. It’s also easy to drink one too many when you’re there. It’s a fun place. So just remember to keep alert when driving, and never drink and drive. Now more than ever before, we have options. If your letting loose, coordinate transportation with your hotel, get a cab, or even an Uber. There’s no reason to drink and drive.

Major Travel Updates (per July 2021)

Transportation Costs (very expensive now)

Current rates for transportation like renting a car or Uber have skyrocketed recently. The demand for a rental car is very high, and the influx of tourists recently has made getting one very hard. If you desire a rental car, you should start planning very early. On my recent trip to Oahu, I came to learn that some tourists were spending upwards of $500 USD a day to secure a rental car.

Maui is even worse than Oahu. The island only has 2 lane roads, and there isn’t enough inventory of rental cars to supply the demand. “The Hawaii Tourism Authority said 215,148 visitors came to the island in May compared to just 1,054 during the same month last year” – AP News.

Uber & Lyft is expensive now

And Uber or Lyft isn’t much cheaper. A lot has changed, so be prepared to open your wallet if you want to get around the islands. Booking excursions use to be very different. Travel agencies and tour groups use to couple the transportation with an excursion. Getting to a Luau or Boat trip used to be easy.

Tour groups in the past would send a shuttle or bus to most major hotels to transport tourists free of charge to the venue. Now often you need to organize your own travel. And getting there via Uber or Lyft isn’t cheap. I’ve heard of Uber drivers making upwards of $600 to $1,000 USD a day there now. And just getting an Uber for a short distance can be an easy $100!

Restaurants & Food

Restaurants are very strained now. They are currently operating at 50 to 75% of their capacity, and the number of tourists is overwhelming them. From what I’ve heard, many restaurants are having trouble getting employees to come back to work. They just can’t get enough cooks and waiters to deal with the influx of tourists.

If you’re going to be in Hawaii during a popular week, like July 4th, then make sure to schedule reservations ahead of time. And if you’re lucky, you may get a chance to eat in some of the more popular restaurants. Places like Dukes and Marukame Udon have very long lines and often wait times of 3 hours. Some will just wave you away if you don’t have a reservation.

There are two great options if you’re in a pinch and can’t get a reservation. I cringe a bit with the first recommendation, but it was a lifesaver for us on the July 4th weekend. The Cheesecake Factory. If you’re in Waikiki, the Cheesecake Factory there is the biggest in the country. Big enough to even handle the massive crowds now. And if you get there at 4 or a bit later at 7 PM, you’ll probably have plenty of luck getting a table.

And then there is Paia Fish Market Waikiki. Paia may seem like a long wait when you see the line trickling out the door, but it moves relatively fast. From the door, it’s about a 20-minute wait. The wait though is worth it; literally one of the best and cheapest seafood places on the island.

Use Opentable.com

Opentable.com is a great way to set up reservations for restaurants ahead of time. The website will provide you with restaurants with available reservations in an area. You can simply plug in a series of reservations for restaurants and stay updated via their app or website while you’re in Hawaii.

Excursions are harder to book now

Doing almost anything in Oahu or Maui is harder now. Booking excursions use to be very easy, and you could often wait until you arrived to book them. In years past, we use to walk up and book the catamarans that would dock along the Waikiki beach. At that time, it was just first come first serve. We would walk up and just take a quick sail out to see the sunset. It was awesome.

Now, it’s so much different. Even excursions that required no booking previously require it. The beach catamarans need booking days in advance. And the longer sailing or snorkeling excursion requires booking weeks in advance.

You can’t even get some of these tour agencies on the phone now. Several readily admit that they are understaffed, so you’ll be challenged in contacting anyone by phone to organize an excursion. And like everyone else, staff from the tour companies are working from home now. So it’s recommended you test them if possible. We had a lot of luck organizing tours via text.

Lastly, the transportation for these excursions is either costly or not available. That’s right, you need to organize your own travel to-and-from the venue for some of these excursions. And as mentioned above, transportation is very expensive right now.

Newbs and Groms

If you are new to surfing, stay on beginner breaks. As you know, surfing is huge in Hawaii. It’s really the sport there. Pro surfers are legends there, and really many good surfers are respected in the community. Especially at the beach. While you may have read about some of the local breaks there, it’s probably not advisable to just show up and expect to catch waves from the get-go. Unless you’re some Aussie hotshot, the locals might give you a bit of a hard time. And if you’re new to surfing, even 5 years fresh, be aware Hawaii surf is treacherous. It can be different and the locals know that. They are not only guarding their break but their actually protecting you and others surfing there. If you are unsure, talk to a local first at a surf shop or even at the beach before hitting the waves.

Road & Sea Sickness

The waters around Hawaii can change quickly. They can be very calm when you leave port for a sailing trip in the early morning hours, but by afternoon on your return, they can be very bumpy or choppy. If you go out on a boat, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness, make sure to have Dramamine or a Motion Sickness Band. And any road trip up the mountains on an island is going to be on 2 lane winding roads. Some trips, like the drive to Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, will be almost non-stop turns…

Don’t leave items in your car

Hawaii is pretty safe overall. Now grant it, like anywhere, there are rougher neighborhoods. And there will always be opportunists looking for an easy steal. Car theft in Hawaii is pretty prevalent, so don’t leave anything in plain sight when you park your car. It’s also best not to leave anything of value in the car for an extended time. If you need a place to hold your luggage before a trip, you can always ask the front desk of your hotel to store it for you.

Plan your hikes well

Hawaii’s landscape is beautiful, but its beauty often misleads adventurers. There are countless hikes and well-worn paths to travel on, and many of these hikes are documented. Make sure to do a couple of things before going on a hike. 1, inform your hotel or a 3rd party that you’re going on a hike and your planned return time. 2, take plenty of water. 3, bring some snacks. 4, know your route and bring a small compass. 5, research the difficulty rating of the hike before going. All Trails is a great place to research common hikes. Many of the hikes in and around Honolulu are well-reviewed and they provide you with a good assessment of the difficulty. 6, bring a backpack with a first aid kit and a light jacket.

Life moves slow here

If you’ve grown up on the Hawaiian Islands, you’ve learned to appreciate time differently. And often, you’ll appreciate people and community differently as well. This is really a wonderful thing. Locals will chat for 20 minutes while customers wait anxiously in line. They give their time individually and exclusively to people, and often the service mentality of me-first is lost on them. Remember, if you’re coming from a city on the mainland, you’re just going to have to chill out and wait. I remember waiting 30 minutes for coffee in the morning because the barista was talking to a friend. This is something that will happen over and over again. So just sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the pleasant sea breeze.

Hawaii’s nature is extreme, so respect it

Blowholes. Rogue Waves. Storms. There’s a lot to respect about mother nature in Hawaii. Waves are probably the most dangerous thing for tourists in Hawaii. The size and power of the waves are often underestimated by visitors. Standing near a cliff edge or on the beach can be dangerous. Even if you think the waves are far away or calm, rogue waves are very common there. There are many instances of tourists being swept off rocks from a rogue wave that comes in unexpectedly on a calm day. Next, blowholes are amazing sights to visit. Although every year there are a few visitors that fall into them. Keep your distance. Lastly, never swim into a cave entrance to explore. The tides change quickly and can trap you in there.

Hocus Pocus

Whether you believe in myths or not, I wouldn’t disrespect any of them in Hawaii. It’s said that if you take sand or especially lava rocks from Hawaii, you’ll receive bad luck. There have been many instances of tourist’s taking a lava rock home, sitting it on a shelf, and then shipping it back months later after a streak of misfortunate events.

“Why can you not take lava rock from Hawaii? One of the most well-known myths in Hawaii is Pele’s Curse, which — it turns out — is not an ancient myth at all. Pele’s curse says that any visitor who takes rock or sand away from the Hawaii islands will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned.” – Huffington Post

Don’t antagonize the locals:

Look, I know you’re tough. Maybe you’re from Queens, Compton, or even somewhere with more of a reputation for badassery. But Hawaiians are warriors. They’ve been defending their small island nation for a long time, and war is in their blood. Now don’t get alarmed, Hawaiians are incredibly warm and friendly. With that said, they don’t like to be pushed around on their turf. So show respect to locals.

Don’t walk on coral

I remember seeing a lot of damaged coral on my first trip out to Hanauma Bay. In fact, most of the reef was damaged around the coastal area where people were predominantly snorkeling. I actually hadn’t seen that type of reef damage since I swam in the Philippines where fishermen used dynamite and acid to kill fish. The reefs were white, coral was broken everywhere, and it was just sad all around. I remember looking up and seeing a man just standing on top of a coral structure talking to his wife. Hanauma Bay is a spot you should check out, although there are plenty of great reefs around the island. And in my opinion, many of them will have more marine life.

Oahu

Oahu is the largest and most populated island. If you’ve never been to Hawaii, it’s the jumping-off point for any visitor, and the Honolulu Airport is probably where you’ll come in from an international flight.

I personally went countless times before I ventured out to the other islands. And there really isn’t anything wrong with that. You can get a good idea of the culture and islands in Oahu, but you’ll most likely be getting introduced through a tour agency or some other tourist catered event. And, it won’t be the real deal.

With that said, it’s a beautiful island, easy to get around, and generally has a laid-back vibe. There are mountains to view the city from afar, sandy beaches all along the Hawaiʻi Belt Road, and touristy malls for shoppers.

Oahu is a great island for those that want to enjoy the beaches and have all the amenities of a modern city. You can get over to Honolulu in 30 minutes from anywhere on the island, and it takes about 40 minutes to come down from the North Shore to Waikiki. So there are a lot of options. You could go with an Airbnb at any beach break, or just stay local in one of the many hotels that line the Waikiki beach. And there is a place for just about any budget as well.

Some of my favorite hotels to stay at in Waikiki are:

#1: Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel: An affordable hotel that has always been good to me and my family. It’s within walking distance of the beach, zoo, and shops. Don’t forget to swing by LuLu’s on the way to the beach for a drink and a burger.

#2: Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk: Not super affordable, but you can’t beat the spacious rooms of Embassy Suites. A few of my favorite things about this hotel are the rooftop bar, free breakfast, and proximity to the beach. Also, the last few times I stayed there it was an open bar during happy hour for guests of the hotel. I’m not sure if they still do that, but if so, that reasons enough for me to go back!

#3: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort: Right on the beach and one of the best family hotels in Waikiki in my opinion. It’s just at the right price point for most people and they really have great service.

Honolulu

Honolulu is Hawaii’s capital and largest city. To be honest, if it’s your first time there, you probably won’t venture into the city too much. Overall though, Honolulu is generally a pretty safe city. Safewise’s statistics show the disparity in crime between a place like Chicago and Honolulu. On a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 being the highest index of violent crime, Honolulu is at 17.4. Chicago is at 49.9.

As with many warm areas nowadays in the U.S., there is a big homeless population. And it’s unfortunate for the tourist areas. 15 years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to see a homeless person anywhere near Waikiki beach. Now it’s not uncommon to see homeless passed out next to you on the beaches.

Waikiki Beach

When you hear of Hawaii, you tend to think of the picturesque landscape of Waikiki with Diamond Head in the background. After all, it’s an iconic beach. Maybe one of the most famous and documented beaches in the world.

50 First Dates. Blue Crush. And then, don’t forget Hawaii Five-O and Magnum PI. And it’s not by chance either. It’s a really beautiful beach. Even with all the hotels and touristy traps that line Kalakaua Avenue. There’s just something magical along the 2 mile stretch of beach known as Waikiki.

Kūhiō Street

Even though the police keep a good watch on the main drag, I’d avoid certain areas at night. After dark, it’s probably best to avoid Kūhiō Street. Kūhiō can be quite busy on the weekends and there is a rowdy drunken crowd there.

I know, it might seem surprising to hear that. Even after you’ve been there and wandered around these areas. After all, we all let our guard down when the ocean breezes are flowing as much as the consumption of Mai Tai’s. But if you look closely, you see plenty of prostitutes’ hanging around and also the occasional drug deal.

Kalakaua Avenue

For the most part, Kalakaua Avenue lined with shops in front of the beach is relatively safe at night. But to be honest, I’ve really walked all over the downtown area near the beach, and I haven’t had an issue yet.

Bums are everywhere now

With that said, on my last trip to Waikiki, the uptick in homelessness was really concerning. Not just people that are homeless, but drug addicts. Waikiki is now infused with many bums. You’ll see them everywhere.

Homeless screaming in the street. Sleeping next to you while you sunbathe. It’s kinda become a mess now. On one occasion while we were on the beach, a drugged-up man fell face first next to our towels.

He had a big gash on his arm and was completely passed out for about 10 minutes. We kept asking him if he was okay, but he eventually just got up and wandered off.

Anyhow, it’s just not good anymore. If you go to the beach, make sure to situate yourself in front of resorts. These beaches tend to be monitored more. Basically, any region of the beach North of the police station is prone to more homelessness. Beyond Duke’s statue is really bad now.

Swimming at Waikiki

At any beach in Hawaii, you need to be mindful of currents and the surf. Even Waikiki can have dangerous currents at certain times. With that said, it’s probably one of the calmer areas for you to swim. And if you don’t want to deal with any waves or turbulent currents, you can always walk to Kūhiō Beach. Kūhiō Beach has calm water that is surrounded by a break wall. You’re literally shielded from the waves.

Although I will warn you not to attempt to climb the walls. For one, the waves could sweep you back into the wall. And two, often the walls are lined with barnacles and sharp features that can cut you. Trust me, I know, I tried this myself and cut my foot on it. But this beach is amazing for the kiddos, and they can play in a calm area without the worry of being toppled over by big waves.

Queens Beach is more of a local beach just on the other side of the Kūhiō’s break wall toward Diamond Head. It’s a fun place, and you can definitely get a good sense of the Ohana vibe. Kids will be jumping from the Waikiki Wall, large families will be gathering eating, and relaxing in the sun, and there are often local markets and art dealers lining the beach.

Tip: You’ll find rentals on Queens beach will often be cheaper. Renting a bodyboard here can be half the price in comparison to Waikiki Beach. Basically, as you walk toward The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, everything is going to get more expensive.

If you smell ammonia, keep walking

For the most part, avoid placing your towels and beach chairs down near the walls. There’s a beautiful stone wall that lines Waikiki Beach. And while the wall seems like a perfect place to rest against and catch some shade, it’s also a perfect place for bums to sleep and pee!

There is no better place to learn to surf than Waikiki

I learned to surf in Florida. And while I didn’t know anything else, learning to surf in choppy inconsistent conditions is hard. They say that’s why the Cocoa Beach Florida local Kelly Slater dominated at surf competitions. Because he was well versed in surfing on inconsistent surf conditions. Waikiki is the opposite of that. It’s as about as consistent and clean as you can get in my opinion. The perfect place for a beginner to learn to surf.

My daughter learned there. And while she is fairly athletic, she stood up on her first wave. And then rode consecutive waves after that. For most first-timers, that’s rare. People are laid back there, it’s well understood that most people are newbs there, and there is a nice friendly vibe in the water. Furthermore, there are plenty of locals that are highly experienced surfers teaching. So really, if you’re curious to learn how to surf, whether you’re young or old, I’d suggest trying it in Waikiki. Wave after wave will be clean, soft, and generally the most consistent experience you’ll get anywhere.

Keep in mind it’s still surfing though, and there is always some danger to it. I’m not talking about sharks. The board is hard and can be jarring if it’s not a soft top. There are reefs, even in Waikiki, and you don’t want to step on the coral. As tempting as it may seem to step down on rocks and coral, you want to make sure you’re placing your feet on the soft sandy bottom. Coral can easily cut you, so watch out. The bottom line is, if your doing it for the first time, take a short lesson.

Other notable beaches around Oahu

Outside of the most famous Waikiki Beach, Hawaii.com notes that the top beaches are Lanikai Beach, Kailua Beach Park, and Waimanalo Bay Beach Park. While you’ll surely be surrounded by crowds and tourists every day on Waikiki Beach, you can find some more seclusion in one of these other beaches. These beaches are really the tip of the iceberg. Oahu has a lot of coastlines. So if you do decide to drive the loop around the island, you’ll definitely see tons of spots to just hop out and enjoy.

#1. Lanikai Beach: Most will always refer to Lanikai as Oahu’s most picturesque beach. The water is crystal clear and often calm because there is an offshore reef that insulates it from deeper water. “Less than a mile offshore are two small islands that house bird sanctuaries and those looking for an adventure can easily reach the islands by kayak. Other water sports to enjoy on the clear-blue waters include snorkeling (reef fish and sea turtles are common sights), sailing, and windsurfing, while half a mile of fine white sand is the perfect setting for sunbathing. Beachgoers should note that parking is limited, as Lanikai Beach is sandwiched between residential housing.” – Hawaii.com

#2 Kailua Beach Park: This is probably my favorite beach on Oahu. A huge stretch of clean fine sandy beach with enough room for everyone. There are plenty of facilities, lots of shade under the trees, and spots to picnic and eat lunch away from the shoreline. “Kailua Beach Park was named “America’s Best Beach” by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, in 1998. With nearly three miles of light-colored sand and crystal-clear water, the park is the perfect spot to spend the day. While many enjoy playing in the gentle waves or learning how to windsurf, the 35-acre beach park also boasts a volleyball court and ample picnic areas where families can relax in the shade with a refreshing treat from local eatery Island Snow, a favorite spot of President Obama.” – Hawaii.com

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park: This is one of the prettiest most peaceful beaches in Oahu. Lined with ironwood trees, there is plenty of shade and places to camp. The restrooms are usually very clean and stocked with toilet paper, although there aren’t showers. Parking is quite limited, and the parking lot isn’t very well maintained. Also, there are quite a few homeless on the road leading up to the beach, although they really shouldn’t cause you any problems. With that said, don’t leave your valuables in the car.

“Stretching nearly five miles from Wailea Point to Makapuu, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is one of the longest beaches on the island. The northern section of the beach is known to locals as Bellows and was once part of an air force base that is now closed. (The area is still used today as a popular vacation spot for the military.) Despite rougher waters, which make it less suitable for inexperienced swimmers, the size, scenery, and soft sand make Waimanalo a classic Hawaiian beach that is great for boogie boarding, fishing, sunbathing or walking along the shoreline.” – Hawaii.com

Dangers of surfing

The great thing about Hawaii is there is a surf spot for everyone. It’s a lot like going to the ski slopes. They have the bunny hills (Waikiki) and then the triple black diamond ◆◆◆ (Jaws). The surf can be treacherous in Hawaii, and it’s not to be taken lightly. Make sure you get lessons first, then start on soft easy waves. With that said, it can be fun to watch locals carve up the waves, so I’ve listed a few of the top surf spots.

Pipeline (specifically Backdoor): The Banzai Pipeline is a reef break off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea on O’ahu’s North Shore. When it’s lighting up, it can be really gnarly. It’s known for its huge waves and mix of expert locals and professionals sharing space in the lineup. When it’s big, this is not a place for the beginner or even an intermediate surfer. In fact, when it’s big, it can be dangerous even for pros.

Waimea Bay: Known as one of the most famous big wave surf spots in the world, Waimea Bay can be extremely hazardous when it’s big. On the northern point of the bay, waves can often reach 30 feet. There is an interesting surf contest that is held here. It’s called “The Eddie”. When waves consistently start reaching 20 feet or more, the contest is on. Professionals will flock from around the world to sweep in to compete on these risky waves.

“Waimea is famous for its 30-foot waves in the winter and is a top place to watch some of the world’s best and bravest surfers. During summer, the water calms considerably and is a great destination for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.” – Go Hawaii

Dangers of swimming

Swimming in Hawaii can be as dangerous as surfing. The currents are unpredictable and vary at each beach. Don’t take anything to grant it. The water conditions can change really fast even if a short rainstorm pops up. Some areas are more sheltered than others, and generally, a beach with a reef will keep waters calmer on the shoreline. With that said, don’t underestimate the waters in Hawaii. If you’re unsure, talk to a local, or even better a lifeguard. They will be tuned in a bit more to the conditions.

Haleiwa: Haleiwa beach is on the North Shore of O’ahu, and it’s a busy beach and a popular spot for swimmers. There are powerful rip currents there, and it’s a spot known to challenge lifeguards in keeping swimmers safe. If you go here, make sure to look for any lifeguard warning flags.

Sharks Cove: It’s been listed as one of the most famous snorkels and dive beaches on the North Shore by the Hawaii Snorkel Guide. Since it’s on Oahu’s North Shore, you need to be cognizant of the conditions before going there. If the waves are big, it can be dangerous. The cove is surrounded by a natural rock wall and big waves can continually explode off of these rock formations. When it’s calm though, it is one of the best places to explore and spot marine life in all of Oahu.

No go zones

‘A’ala Bark Park: Look, I love you too, but this park and the people probably won’t. The street view below captures it all really. If you look around this park via Google Street Maps, you’ll see it’s quite the homeless encampment. China town is right around the corner from here, and there are a lot of great restaurants there, but avoid this park if you’re going there. Really, this entire area should be avoided after dark.

Waianae Coast: If you’re a tourist, there aren’t too many reasons to go to Waianae. Every area has its rough spots, and Waianae is not a place you want to be after dark. Especially if you are not a local.

“With a crime rate of 60 per one thousand residents, Waianae has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities” – Neighborhood Scout

Oahu is a foodie paradise

This is one thing many new tourists overlook when visiting. It’s easy to stick around Waikiki and eat Cheeseburger In Paradise every day, but there is so much more there. By the way, that’s not a knock-on Cheeseburger In Paradise. They are my favorite burger in Oahu. But food trucks are where it’s really at. Food trucks in Hawaii offer fresh quality fish that you’d pay an arm and a leg for at a high-end seafood restaurant. In addition to many of the trucks serving unique Hawaiian flavors, they also will serve you huge portions in comparison to a restaurant.

Tip: Make sure to hit the Money Machine before you visit the Food Trucks. Many of them are cash only.

Notable Food Trucks:

Giovanni’s: “Featured on Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food in 2011, Giovanni’s Original White Shrimp Truck offers four Hawaiian favorites: shrimp scampi, lemon butter shrimp, a jumbo garlic hot dog, and a “No Refunds” hot & spicy shrimp. The popular scampi is heavy on the garlic; try it with hot sauce on the side. Two trucks on Oahu cover Kamehameha Highway — historic Kahuku (56-505) and Haleiwa (66-472; 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). Both trucks are now parked there permanently.” – gayot.com

56-505 Kamehameha Hwy. Kahuku, HI 96731

Jawz Tacos: “Jawz Tacos operates two roadside trucks, near Little Beach and Big Beach in Makena. In addition to the tacos, try the taco salad, which is an enormous fried tortilla bowl of fresh mixed greens and shredded cabbage with jack and cheddar cheeses, guacamole, cilantro rice, black or refried beans, and a choice of ono, ahi, mahi-mahi, shrimp, chicken, steak or shredded pork. House-made salsas include roasted serrano pepper with papaya and habanero with pineapple and carrot.” – gayot.com

Located at 41 E. Lipoa St., Kihei

Maui Fresh Streatery: “Chef Kyle Kawakami uses local island ingredients in the freshly crafted dishes offered from his Maui food truck. Expect a range of cuisines resulting in the likes of a niçoise salad, cioppino, and Indian-spiced seared ahi. Find the truck on Mondays at the University of Hawaii Maui College Campus 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Wednesdays at Wailuku Banyan Tree Park (Market St.) 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Fridays at 137 Kaahumanu Ave. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.” – gayot.com

Locations around Kahului

Cliff Diving

Jumping off cliffs in Hawaii has historic context, and it’s not just about the adrenaline rush. The last independent king, King Kahekili, utilized cliff diving to initiate his warriors. And it proves to be a great initiation because it requires insane bravery to leap off a 40-50 foot cliff. At 60 feet high, a faulty jump or entry into the water could spell death.

Laie Point is a well-known cliff jumping spot for locals and tourists. Although at a whopping 40-foot drop-off, it’s been the unfortunate death for some.

Oahu is safe and a lot of fun

I can’t stress this enough – Oahu is paradise. I’ve been there a dozen times now, and I personally can’t get enough. Even though Maui and The Big Island hold a special place in my heart, Oahu was my gateway drug. It was the first place my family went. There is really so much variety there, and it’s probably the best jumping-off point for a family visiting the islands. The history of Pearl Harbor (an absolute must-see!) to the beautiful beaches all along the coast.

There is no shortage of activities. In my opinion, if you’re visiting a big city, Honolulu will really offer a lot of creature comforts you might be looking for. In the morning, you can lounge around the pool or relax on Waikiki Beach, and in the afternoon you can hop around the island exploring everything Oahu offers.

And while we point out a lot to be mindful of when visiting, it’s really one of the safer states to visit. Yes, there is a large homeless population. And yes, there are rough neighborhoods here and there. But what state doesn’t have this? So if you are careful and do some research, you shouldn’t have any problems avoiding any issues and having an amazing time there.