Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and diverse culture. But it is also home to some of the most violent crimes in the nation. According to a recent report by NeighborhoodScout, a website that analyzes crime data and neighborhood characteristics, one city in Hawaii ranks among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S. based on the number of murders per capita. That city is Honolulu, the capital and largest city of Hawaii.
Honolulu’s Murder Rate
Honolulu has a population of about 350,000 people, making it the 56th largest city in the country. But it also has a murder rate of 5.3 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 4.96. In 2018, Honolulu recorded 19 homicides, up from 14 in 2017. Most of the victims were killed by firearms, knives, or blunt objects. The majority of the murders occurred in the urban areas of Honolulu, such as Waikiki, Kalihi, and Chinatown.
The Causes and Consequences of Honolulu’s Violence
There are many factors that contribute to Honolulu’s high murder rate, such as poverty, drug abuse, gang activity, domestic violence, and mental illness. Honolulu has a poverty rate of 9.3%, which is lower than the state average of 10.1%, but higher than the national average of 8.9%. Many of the poor residents live in overcrowded and substandard housing, where they are exposed to crime and violence.
Honolulu also has a drug problem, especially with methamphetamine, which is linked to many violent crimes. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, methamphetamine was involved in 48% of the drug-related deaths in Hawaii in 2018. Gangs are another source of violence in Honolulu, as they compete for territory and resources.
Some of the most notorious gangs in Honolulu are the Bloods, the Crips, the Samoan Pride, and the Tongan Crip Regime. Domestic violence is also a common cause of murder in Honolulu, as many victims are killed by their intimate partners or family members. In 2018, 10 of the 19 homicides in Honolulu were related to domestic violence.
Mental illness is another factor that can lead to violence, as some people with untreated or undiagnosed mental disorders may act impulsively or irrationally. In 2018, one of the most shocking murders in Honolulu involved a man who stabbed his landlord to death and then dismembered her body.
The high murder rate in Honolulu has serious consequences for the city and its residents. It affects the quality of life, the sense of safety, and the economic development of the city. It also damages the reputation of Hawaii as a tourist destination, as some visitors may be deterred by the negative image of violence and crime.
According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, visitor arrivals to Oahu, the island where Honolulu is located, decreased by 2.4% in 2018, while visitor spending decreased by 1.8%. The high murder rate also puts a strain on the law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as they have to deal with the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of violent crimes.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the clearance rate for homicide cases in 2018 was 68.4%, which means that about one-third of the murders remained unsolved.
The Solutions to Honolulu’s Violence
There is no easy or quick solution to Honolulu’s violence problem, as it requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach from various stakeholders, such as the government, the community, the media, and the private sector. Some of the possible solutions are:
1.) Increasing the funding and resources for the police and the courts, to improve their capacity and efficiency in solving and prosecuting violent crimes.
2.) Enhancing the collaboration and communication among the law enforcement agencies, the social service agencies, the health care providers, and the schools, to identify and address the risk factors and the root causes of violence.
3.) Implementing more effective and evidence-based prevention and intervention programs, such as community policing, youth mentoring, drug treatment, mental health counseling, and domestic violence shelters.
4.) Providing more support and assistance to the victims and the witnesses of violent crimes, such as legal aid, financial compensation, and emotional counseling.
5.) Raising the awareness and the education of the public about the causes and the consequences of violence, and encouraging them to report and denounce any suspicious or criminal activity.
6.) Promoting a culture of peace and respect among the diverse groups and individuals in Honolulu, and fostering a sense of civic responsibility and social cohesion.
Conclusion
Honolulu is a beautiful and vibrant city, but it also faces a serious challenge of violence and murder. It is one of the most dangerous cities in the country, and it needs to take urgent and decisive actions to reduce and prevent violent crimes. By working together, the city and its residents can make Honolulu a safer and more livable place for everyone.