The Star-Advertiser's positive spin was a welcome breath of fresh air, and we'd like to take that yet a step further. The newspaper story utilized the statistical reporting of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai`i (VASH) , which includes "unfortunate circumstances" in the stats. For instance, the 2010 figure of 1,701 incidents, down from 1,882 in 2009 but up from 1,613 in 2008, included 396 instances of illness and injury, and 120 instances of airfare/relocation (we're not really sure exactly what these are). This is a total of 516 incidents--- almost one-third--- that were not crime-related, and could and would have taken place elsewhere. We don't have year-over-year figures for true crime-related incidents, but we think that the net number for 2010, which comes out to 1,185, or roughly three per day, is hardly scandalous for a tourist destination as busy as Hawai`i.
Furthermore, these figures are statewide, so the impact in Waikiki is less, though we don't have a specific breakdown.
According to police reports, Waikiki is quite far from being the most crime-ridden area on O`ahu; this may come as a surprise to those kama`aina who sometimes view the district with what we feel is unwarranted disdain.
But it's even better than flat statistics indicate. Reducing personal risk in Waikiki is mostly a matter of common sense. Walking the streets at 3 AM is probably not prudent (though even then, the risk can be managed). Drinking into the wee hours in bars and clubs noted for brawling isn't a required activity on a visit here. While some crime victimization results from sheer bad luck, awareness of surroundings and simple prudence go a long way. We'll wager that nearly all tourists who observe these simple practices have very little trouble in Waikiki. And if unfortunate circumstances lead to a regrettable incident, that could have happened anywhere.
Enforcement and vigilance has certainly improved, as the newspaper points out. Plain-clothes and uniformed police regularly patrol Waikiki, and these days they seem more interested in crime prevention than busting jaywalkers (as they unfortunately appeared to be a few years back). Private security activity has stepped up. And we note that the visibility of prostitutes has declined--- we used to wonder why they walked the streets with near impunity not that long ago, easily spotted in their characteristic clear shoes by tourist and police officer alike.
We don't want to sugar-coat things excessively; there is crime in Waikiki and there are ongoing problems. But we can't go along with the view expressed by some locals that "Waikiki turns into a bad neighborhood at night"; and we wonder at the mainland media who characterize Waikiki as a "dangerous" destination.
Waikiki is beautiful, American, exotic and familiar all at once. And by and large, it's safe and secure. Let's make sure all our visitors and potential visitors know it.
2 comments:
ON September 23,2011 While walking through Waikiki's Ft DeRussy Park at night, we were violently attacked by a 8 gang members who started the attack by hitting a friend on the side of his head with a baton. I was thrown to the ground and my purse was ripped from my grasp and they continued to beat my friend while he was on the ground. Fortunation my husband and a marine captain came to our aid and scared off the 8 gang members.
The scary thing is that this attack happen in the proximity of a military police sub-station, the Trump hotel, the OutRigger Reef hotel, the HaleKoa Hotel, and the Hilton Hotel. After relaying our story to others, we found out that this is becoming a common occurrence in Waikiki so be careful, maybe carry some pepper spray or a stun gun if you plan to walk around Waikiki at night.
Samantha
Samantha, sorry to hear about your terrible experience. Ft. DeRussy Park still isn't a place to be after dark. Kuhio and Seaside isn't good either at late hours, and there are other examples.
Crime isn't what some people think, and it's certainly down, but that doesn't mean it's gone and care and awareness are still necessary. What is also really bad about this is that you're probably not coming back, and you're probably telling others not to come here, and who can blame you?
Waikiki is a great place but it's not an urban Eden, and the same precautions you'd take anywhere on the mainland are necessary here. That is not an excuse for what happened, and we have to do much better. We rely on visitors and they won't come if they don't feel safe.
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