Hilo, a city in Hawaii, is home to approximately 44,509 residents. It serves as the largest city in Hawaii County and is situated on the eastern coast of the island of Hawaiʻi, bordering Hilo Bay. The city is renowned for its natural splendor, cultural diversity, and significant contributions to scientific research.
Nonetheless, safety levels vary across Hilo’s neighborhoods. Some areas experience higher rates of both violent and property crimes than others. Using data sourced from NeighborhoodScout and CrimeGrade, the following list ranks the five least safe neighborhoods in Hilo based on their crime index, with a lower index indicating a higher level of danger:
Hilo East
This place used to be a part of Waiākea, a land division that King Kamehameha I owned in the 18th century. It’s situated on the eastern side of Hilo, near Hilo Bay.
In terms of safety, this neighborhood ranks at 1 on the crime index, making it safer than only 1% of U.S. neighborhoods. The rate of violent crimes is 7.18 per 1,000 residents, and the rate of property crimes is 83.06 per 1,000 residents.
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Town Center/Pu’u’eo
This area in Hilo is right by the Wailoa River and is the central spot for businesses and culture in the city. You’ll find plenty of shops, eateries, museums, and old buildings here. The famous Hilo Farmers Market, one of Hawaii’s biggest, is also located in this neighborhood.
In terms of safety, this neighborhood scores a 2 on the crime index, which means it’s safer than only 2% of neighborhoods in the U.S. The rate of violent crime is 6.12 incidents per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 75.71 per 1,000 residents.
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Hilo Southeast
This area is in the southeast part of Hilo, on the slopes of Mauna Loa. It’s mainly rural and focused on agriculture, with numerous farms, orchards, and nurseries. The neighborhood is particularly recognized for growing macadamia nuts, papayas, bananas, and various flowers.
In terms of safety, this neighborhood has a crime index of 3, which means it’s considered less safe than only 3% of neighborhoods in the U.S. The rate of violent crimes is 5.28 per 1,000 residents, while the rate of property crimes is 69.38 per 1,000 residents.
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Hilo West
This neighborhood is situated on the west side of Hilo, at the foothills of Mauna Kea. It has a low safety rating, ranking safer than only 4% of U.S. neighborhoods. The violent crime rate is 4.56 incidents per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 64.16 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Additionally, in the 18th century, this area was part of the ahupuaa of Waiakea-Uka, which was owned by King Kamehameha I. In 1973, a significant earthquake struck, causing damage to numerous buildings and injuring 65 people.
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Keaukaha/Makaoku
This area, situated in the northeast of Hilo along Hilo Bay, is named after two Hawaiian places: Keaukaha, meaning “the passing current,” and Makaoku, meaning “the eye that sees.”
In terms of safety, this neighborhood has a crime index of 5, indicating it’s safer than just 5% of neighborhoods in the U.S. The violent crime rate is 4.01 incidents per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 60.33 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Hawaii County, Hawaii
Conclusion
These neighborhoods in the northeast part of Hilo are generally seen as less safe compared to other areas in the city. They have higher levels of poverty, unemployment, and lower educational attainment. Additionally, access to public services like police, fire, and healthcare is limited.
People living in these neighborhoods face various challenges and risks due to the elevated levels of crime and social issues in their communities.
This can lead to feelings of fear, stress, trauma, as well as the potential for victimization, property loss, injury, or even loss of life due to criminal activities. Residents in these areas may also experience a lower quality of life, reduced self-esteem, diminished trust in others, and less involvement in civic matters compared to those in safer neighborhoods.
