For an exotic vacation or your honeymoon, you want to know the neighborhoods to avoid and the best areas to stay in Honolulu Hawaii.
It's true that the simple word Honolulu makes you dream and think of dream beaches, flower necklaces, Hawaiian dances to the sound of the Ukulele. But Honolulu is also a big American city and therefore, we can wonder if there are dangerous places or neighborhoods to avoid.
Here is a guide with the map of the districts of the capital of Hawaii to help you choose the best place to stay in Honolulu.
The information in this article is sourced (travel forum, press articles, web media, rankings and statistics). This 2024 guide to Honolulu neighborhoods is a simple synthesis of web data and therefore does not involve any judgment or discrimination.
Where is Honolulu on the world map?
Honolulu is located on the world map in the Pacific Ocean 4100 kilometers from Los Angeles and 6200 kilometers from Japan. Honolulu, which is the capital of the Hawaiian archipelago, is located on the south coast of the island of Oahu which is an American island.
To better locate where Honolulu is on the world map, here is the Google Maps map that you can enlarge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qs4vXnPrcWH2rxxCA
Honolulu dangerous city?
NO: Unlike Sound, Chicago, Houston ou Philadelphia, we can say that in 2024 Honolulu is not a dangerous city. Indeed, if we look at the ranking crimegrade.org, Honolulu has an A grade which means its crime rate is lower than the average for US cities.
This is confirmed by the statistics of neighborhoodscout.com : The probability of being a victim of a crime in Honolulu (violent or not) is 1 in 33. According to FBI data on crime in the United States, Honolulu is not among the safest cities in America. But, compared to other cities of similar size, the city of Honolulu has a significantly lower than average crime rate.
Finally, according to ranking of the most criminal cities in the USA, Honolulu ranks at the bottom of the table in 41st position out of 58. With a crime index of 46.05, it is in the low average.
Honolulu safe for tourists?
YES : In 2024 tourists can travel to Honolulu without the risk of being assaulted or abused as in Los Cabosor a Rio de Janeiro or to Johannesburg.
In fact, staying in Honolulu is ideal for enjoying the legendary beach of Waikiki, for discovering the whole island of Oahu and for quickly reaching the North Shore or the beaches of Kailua.
However, as with all tourist towns, tourists should exercise caution and avoid certain areas of Honolulu (see below).
Honolulu neighborhood map
Honolulu is divided into 8 districts, each of which includes several neighborhoods:
- District 1: Downtown (Chinatown, Nuuanu, Makiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako)
- District 2: Wahiawa (Mililani, Schofield/Wheeler, Waialua, Waimea)
- District 3: Pearl City (Aloha Stadium, Aiea, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipahu)
- District 4: Kaneohe, Kailua, Kahuku (Waimanalo, Kaneohe MCBH, Waiahole/Waikane, Kahaluu, Hauulu)
- District 5: Kalihi (Iwilei, Kalihi, Nuuanu, Kapalama, Alewa, Nuuanu, Fort Shafter, Moanalua, Salt Lake, DKI Airport, Hickam)
- District 6: Waikiki and Kapiolani Park
- District 7: East Honolulu (Moiliili, UH Manoa, Kaimuki, Kahala, Hawaii Kai)
- and District 8: Kapolei (Ewa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Waianae, Makaha)
Here is a map that allows you to locate the main neighborhoods of Honolulu and the best areas to stay, which we will detail below: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UuJXPhbnbpUmT48P7
Neighborhoods to avoid in Honolulu Hawaii
By cross-checking the latest data and statistics published in 2024, there are 10 neighborhoods to avoid in Honolulu (city and counting) for their insecurity problems:
- area aroundAirport
- Downtown (Downtown Honolulu)
- Chinatown
- Mxcully-Moiliili
- Kalihi-Palama
- Wahiawa
- Wine
- mokapu
- Ewa
- Aliamanu
For the 8 districts of Honolulu, the official website of the Hawaii government has put online the crime map that you can consult to form your own opinion. Here, for example, is the Honolulu District 1 crime map.
Safe Neighborhoods to Stay in Honolulu Hawaii
Honolulu, which is the largest city in Hawaii, has many safe and very pleasant neighborhoods to stay. Here are some of them which are renowned for their tranquility:
- Type None
- hawaii kai
- Ala Moana
- Sorry
- Moana
- Hickam
- Koko Head Terrace North
- Napali Haweo
- Salt Lakes Foster Village
- Waialae Iki
- Kalani Iki
- port lock
But the best area to stay in Honolulu will depend on your tastes, your desires and your budget.
What are the tourist areas in Honolulu?
To choose the best area to stay in Honolulu, here are the characteristics of the main recommended tourist areas in Honolulu:
- Waikiki : Favorite district of tourists for its emblematic beach, its hotel offer, its many restaurants and its very lively nightlife;
- Ala Moana : District renowned for its beaches and its many shops;
- Kaimuki : Neighborhood farther from the beach but which has kept its authenticity with a warm atmosphere and good local restaurants;
- Diamond head : Neighborhood to be favored for the tranquility of its beaches and for hiking or getting closer to the Honolulu Zoo;
- Sorry : Upscale neighborhood with luxury hotels and heavenly beaches (frequented by many celebrities).
Where to stay in Honolulu for the most beautiful beaches?
The most beautiful beaches in Honolulu are: Waikiki, Ala Moana, Diamond Head and Kahala. So, you have the choice according to your desires (see characteristics above).
But, you should know that the favorite district of tourists in Honolulu is the Waikiki district which is the first tourist destination in Hawaii.
Waikiki, Honolulu's most popular neighborhood
In the 1800s, Waikiki was the resort town of Hawaiian royalty. Today, Waikiki is a must in Hawaii for its legend and its beaches:
- waikiki-beach
- Kahanamoku Beach
- Fort DeRussy Beach
- Gray's beach
- Kuhio Beach
But Waikiki is also the cradle of modern surfing worn in the 1900s by Duke Kahanamoku. Its beaches are incredible spots not only for surfing but also for snorkeling, traditional outrigger canoeing or paddleboarding.
Waikiki close to Honolulu sights
Staying in Waikiki will also allow you to visit the most emblematic sites of Honolulu. These are mostly located in Downtown Honolulu:
- Royal Palace (Aliiolani Hale),
- Iolani Barracks,
- washington place,
- King Kamehameha Statue,
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
- the Lucoral Museum,
- Honolulu Museum of Art,
- the Hawaii Army Museum Society,
- Kakaako street art, etc.
However, from Waikiki by taking the number 2 bus, you will be in less than 20 minutes to Downtown Honolulu to visit the city.
Where to stay in Waikiki Honolulu?
Here is a beautiful hotel located opposite Waikiki beach: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
Where to stay in Honolulu for a dream vacation?
For a honeymoon in Hawaii or simply to treat yourself, here is one of the best hotels from Honolulu to Waikiki:
Indeed, this 5-star hotel is located on Waikiki beach with a superb view of Diamond Head and all the top-of-the-range services for a dream stay.
How to visit Honolulu Hawaii?
Here is an idea for a free tour accompanied by a guide around the emblematic tourist sites of Honolulu: Honolulu Free Tour ou Helicopter flight over Honolulu