Hawaii County, recognized as the Big Island, stands as the largest and most varied among the Hawaiian archipelago. It encompasses volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests, beaches, and mountains, while also providing a dwelling to approximately 200,000 residents scattered across its cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Although many of these locales offer safety and tranquility, certain areas exhibit elevated instances of crime and violence.
Utilizing information from CrimeGrade.org, an entity employing FBI Uniform Crime Reports and other resources to compute crime frequencies per 1,000 inhabitants, the subsequent sections detail the five most precarious neighborhoods within Hawaii County:
Pahoa:
Pahoa, a petite town located on the island’s eastern flank within the Puna district, boasts a populace of around 1,000 individuals and endures a violent crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents. This statistic is nearly four times higher than the county’s standard of 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Pahoa, subjected to natural disasters such as lava flows, hurricanes, and earthquakes, might have encountered ensuing social and economic challenges. Moreover, it wrestles with an elevated property crime rate, quantified at 147.9 per 1,000 residents.
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Hilo:
Hilo, the most populous city on Hawaii County with approximately 46,000 inhabitants, operates as both the county seat and the central nexus for commerce, education, and culture. Nevertheless, Hilo contends with an elevated rate of violent crime, tallying 7.4 per 1,000 residents, nearly three times beyond the county’s average.
The city similarly confronts a notable property crime rate of 155.6 per 1,000 residents. This crime scenario may partly relate to Hilo’s elevated poverty rate, standing at 21%, surpassing the state’s mean of 10%.
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Hawaiian Ocean View:
Positioned on the southern tip of the island within the Ka’u district, Hawaiian Ocean View serves as a census-designated place (CDP) inhabited by around 4,000 individuals. It grapples with a violent crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents, more than double the county’s norm. Additionally, the community wrestles with a significant property crime rate of 143.9 per 1,000 residents. Hawaiian Ocean View, secluded and rural, contends with a scarcity of public services and amenities.
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Hawaiian Beaches:
Hawaiian Beaches, yet another CDP situated in the Puna district on the island’s eastern coast, houses approximately 4,000 residents. With a violent crime rate of 6 per 1,000 inhabitants, it exceeds the county’s average by over two-fold. Similarly, it wrestles with a notable property crime rate of 140 per 1,000 residents. Hawaiian Beaches, marked by its diversity and low-income status, encounters numerous social and economic challenges.
Kailua-Kona:
Kailua-Kona, situated within the North Kona district on the island’s western side, serves as a renowned tourist destination and a hub for fishing and coffee production. It accommodates around 12,000 inhabitants, dealing with a violent crime rate of 5 per 1,000 residents, nearly twice the county’s standard. Moreover, Kailua-Kona tackles a property crime rate of 139 per 1,000 residents. Its crime trends may be shaped by a substantial influx of visitors and a transient population.
Conclusion:
The preceding regions represent Hawaii County’s five most hazardous neighborhoods as per CrimeGrade.org’s analysis. However, it’s imperative to acknowledge that crime frequencies can fluctuate due to factors such as time of day, season, location, and reporting methodologies. Hence, these rankings should not be perceived as absolute or definitive safety gauges. Rather, they offer general insights, aiding both residents and visitors in making informed decisions concerning habitation or visits within the Big Island.
