Car Break-Ins In Hawaii
 

Everyone, please beware there is a MAJOR PROBLEM with rental car break-ins on all of the islands in Hawaii. We had a rental car broken into outside of Honolulu while it was parked in a busy McDonald's parking lot.
Our cameras that were stored in a duffel bag on the floor of the back seat were stolen on our 4th day in Hawaii. Talk about being shocked. The passenger side front door was rigged and opened by the thieves. The police informed us that 3 cars were broken into within 5 minutes in the exact same area.
There is a major problem with Crystal Meth and the druggies break into cars and pawn the loot. The police put us in touch with the Aloha Society (like a Travellers Aide Society) who gave us gift certificates for disposable cameras at the ABC stories and a bag of goodies. Obviously, this is a very serious and frequent crime in Hawaii. The Aloha Society rep told us that many lose their entire luggage from the trunk of rental cars if they stop before they reach their hotels. Please be careful!

Thanks for the tip! I have been to Hawaii a few times and I NEVER cared for Waikiki. Even on my honeymoon. I thought it was dirty! Even at night, you see prostitutes walking around near the hotels. I imagine they do have a huge drug problem there. What a shame. If the island cleaned up, it would be lovely. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

Waikiki is a great place for vacation. They tell you to keep your stuff in the trunk. Keep an eye on the car if possible.

Auto break-ins are crimes of opportunity and are common in areas where there are a lot of people who might have things worth stealing in their car--whether in Hawai`i or on the mainland. Theives have learned that visitors often leave valuables in their car, so rental cars in tourist areas are targeted. It is a problem in CA beach areas like Huntington Beach, Santa Monica and Venice. It is a problem in the beach areas where my parents live on the gulf coast of Florida. It is a problem at wilderness trail heads, as well as in rural, suburban and metropolitan areas. My car was even broken into in my own driveway in a nice, low-crime suburban area in southern California. Why was my car targeted? I left a bag on the passenger seat in the car overnight.

Unfortunately, crime is everywhere, even here in paradise. I am sorry to hear that you were targeted during your visit. It is unfortunate that you lost your cameras, but the best advice I can give anyone, anywhere, is to not leave valuables in the car, especially in plain sight.That applies in Hawai`i as well as anyplace else.

When we were in Maui 4 years ago, we were warned not to leave any valuables in our car. There were volunteers posted at Honolua Bay and other roadside parking areas warning visitors to take all their belongings with them.
Good suggestion no matter where you travel.

Totally agree with here_today...
Crime is everywhere. It's a fact of life that the criminals will gravitate toward those people with higher disposable income and those who feel insulated from the crime at their hometowns while on vacation in "paradise" are most likely to let their guards down and become victims.

There are also thefts occurring on cruise ships and in hotels / motels around the world. Lock your valuables in the hotel safe, if need be.

There is no problem with Crystal Meth in Costa Rica, but there are equal chances of auto burglary there, as we learned in September '04. It's not always drugs.

There are muggings in New Orleans - and anywhere else people are drinking and unaware of their personal security.

I don't leave anything in my car overnight I cannot live without. Especially now that the holiday season is approaching. Auto burglary occurs in shopping centers/malls.

Once had a car towed away from my driveway - it was a "paperwork error". I recovered my car, but some contents were missing. Nobody saw anything. I never leave my briefcase in my vehicle. Nor my camera. Nor my laptop. I always pocket my cell phone and my keys.

Enjoy yourselves. Think like a criminal for a minute or two, prepare yourselves & your belongings, and then relax...

Ok, so this is great. Hours after I decided to pick Oahu over Maui and book my non-changeable, non-transferrable, non-refundable trip, my first to Hawaii, I am learning that Waikiki is dirty, has dope, prostitutes and thieves! That is certainly not my idea of a tropical paradise!

<Talk about being shocked.>
Sheez, Spatz! Don't travel much, do ya? What was so shocking? Honolulu is a big city and one of the most popular vacation spots in the world -meaning tons of tourists.

<Everyone, please beware there is a MAJOR PROBLEM with rental car break-ins on all of the islands in Hawaii.>
This happens in most larger cities, not just cities and towns of the Hawaiian Islands. Of course it's more predominant in cities that attract more tourists.

<There is a major problem with Crystal Meth and the druggies break into cars and pawn the loot.>

Batu is bad here, but it's also a problem in the mainland as well. Car break-ins are the easiest method for ice addicts to supply their need. Residents get their cars broken into too but not as often as tourists cause we know better and we don't carry all our valuables in the car. I wouldn't do this anywhere in the US, Europe or any continent. People are people, some are bad, some ok and some can't resist temptation, whether that comes in the form of a pipe or loaded down rental car with lots of goodies inside.

<I NEVER cared for Waikiki. Even on my honeymoon. I thought it was dirty! Even at night, you see prostitutes walking around near the hotels. I imagine they do have a huge drug problem there.>
OH MY GOD!!!! How can that be???? I mean, you certainly won't find this happening in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, etc..............will you?????? (rolling my eyes)

<If the island cleaned up, it would be lovely.>
So then we can put you down for 2 weeks of working in a Honolulu rehab center or center for abused women next time you visit. If you're not part of the solution..........you're part of the problem! Or......you could vacation somewhere else!

kolohegirl : you've met these posters before. These are the same people you stood behind in line at the grocery store checkout who load 120 grocery items onto the conveyer belt and then wait until the total is announced by the checker before they open their purses and dig for their checkbooks and...

Don't get worked up by this. Everyone else knows the reality.

<Ok, so this is great. Hours after I decided to pick Oahu over Maui and book my non-changeable, non-transferrable, non-refundable trip, my first trip to Hawaii, I am learning that Waikiki is dirty, has dope and prostitutes and theives! That is certainly not my idea of a tropical paradise!>
RELAX, gz! No matter where you go, you're going to find an undesirable element (drugs, crime, and prostitution). Hawaii is no exception. Honolulu is a big city and you probably will be disappointed if you are expecting a desserted, pristine, empty beach setting there. Honolulu/Waikiki area has all the trappings of a big city - major development, great eats, freeways, crime, shopping malls etc. BUT, a word of advice......see Honolulu and Waikiki for what it's worth but by all means get out and explore the other areas of the island. Go Kaneohe, Kailua, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Pipe, Laie etc. You're bound to find an area that fits your personal description of "paradise". By the way.....yeah, you should've gone Maui, but then again....I'm biased. I live Maui! Chill out and have a great time.

LOL Mahalo, TripleSec! I know exactly what you mean. Then these same people complain about how expensive the groceries are in Hawaii.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. Just kinda got me going cuz Hawaii's my home and I no like hear anyone talk stink about my home!

Aloha!

kolohegirl......NOTHING stinks about Hawaii!! Dont let em get you all riled up.Take a deep breath and fix me and my buddy Gabriel a MaiTai, eh!!! Be there in a jif....:D

For 'gzseattle'...

I went to Waikiki for the 1st time about a year ago. I LOVED it, had a great time, thought the place was beautiful. It was not dirty, nor did I see prostitutes or obvious drug activity. I didn't have a rental car, so didn't have those concerns. But I was traveling solo and getting around on foot & had no problems whatsoever. I'd return in a heartbeat!

Reply to <font color="blue">gzseattle</font>,
We had similar concerns to what you've expressed when we visited a couple weeks ago, but found that there are other nice locations on Oahu that felt quite safe to us. Furthermore, our experiences have been identical to what the authors of <font color="blue">Oahu Revealed</font> state, that they have experienced no problems with car break ins.:S-

Shoots! Blenders already going!

Aloha.

Thanks kolehegirl, I am feeling better already :)

I have been undecided for many months about where to go Oahu or Maui. I wish I could afford to go to both places but oh well. So in the end I picked up Oahu. Actually, I did so last night and made the reservations. And I picked Oahu precisely because it is not all deserted, pristine, empty beach setting but offers both that and the excitement of a big city (or at least that's what I hope).

Hey, I asked this question elsewhere also but, outside of Waikiki and leeward side, would it be possible to find calm beaches in Oahu this time of the year? The beaches you listed all seem nice, I just hope that they are all not rough with big surfs.

Yup, you are right that every big city has those problems. I was only being sarcastic. It is just frustrating that those undesirable elements have infested almost every great location, be it Paris, Vienna, London, Manhattan, Hawaii, Las Vegas (well, its ok in Las Vegas. After all, it is the &quot;sin&quot; city!)

&gt;Hey, I asked this question elsewhere also but, outside of Waikiki and leeward side, would it be possible to find calm beaches in Oahu this time of the year? The beaches you listed all seem nice, I just hope that they are all not rough with big surfs.&lt;

Ala Moana beach is probably the most popular beach park on the island - and it is as calm as it gets. It's right outside of Waikiki, so it's right in town.

This has been a problem for years. Every book you read states do not leave stuff in your car especially at the beach! Make your car look like a local...put puka shell necklaces on the rear veiw mirror. We pack some just for this reason...you can also get some at Hilo Hattie each time you visit their store. Do not leave maps or discount coupons in open view,,,dead give away. You are on vacation just like any other place,,,you can't let your guard down. jjj

Hate to break it to you, jjjchip, but a rental car is still a rental car, even with Hilo Hattie shell lei hanging on the rear view mirror! lol First dead give away (after the shear number of identical Dodge Neons and Chrysler convertibles): No license plate frame around the rear plate.

I have a question related to this situation. I'm staying in Oahu (not sure where yet) the night before I have to fly out the next day. I won't be leaving until 10:30 PM so, I have a full day to run around in my rental car before going to the airport. I was planning on packing all my stuff in the car to spend the day but, now I'm not sure that's a good idea. Are the hotels good about storing your stuff until around 8:30 PM? Thanks

Yes, most hotels have a storage room. Some have a small fee, such as a coat valet.

NOTE: jjjchip, you've got to put down the Maui Wowie and read your own false logic.
Having beads on the mirror doesn't mean yours is a local car, and being local doesn't mean you're insulated from crime, anyway. Tell us what you hang on your mirror at home to keep those thieves away...?

All rental cars have similar characteristics, though, don't they really? If I see a well-maintained car, without any custom modifications or personalized messages, that is less than 5 years old --- especially if it has the little green/white &quot;e&quot; sticker from Enterprise, then I know it's a rental.
How many times have I walked to a silver Grand Cherokee in the hotel parking lot, only to discover that my key doesn't open the door, <i>OR</i> that the battery in the remote keyless entry isn't dead, I'm simply looking at the wrong duplicate car.
(if this reads like a duplicate post, it's because I tried about 3 hours ago to post this w/no luck on this wacky site)

What a funny thread to end my bleeding heart work day. Yes, please everyone, understand that the license plate tells everyone in Hawaii, you're a tourist. It may be an inconvenience, but plan ahead, do not travel with all of your personal belongings and then take a hike. Only leave in your rental, what you can live without...extra clothes, cooler, a days worth of clothes, or clothes for dinner......

Is the problem MAJOR???? I doubt it. Just use common sense. If you need it, don't leave it in your rental. Nuff said, time to book some more hawaii!!!!!!!!

Crime may be everywhere, but I have been to a lot of places and the only place I had a car stolen was Oahu. I will never go back!

I did love Maui and Kauai and will return there.

TripleSec -- and here I thought I was the only one who gets SO irritated at people at the grocery store who wait for the total before they finally start writing our their check or digging around for their debit card!! What is the matte with these people??? lol

gzseattle -- I replied to your earlier thread re: finding a calm beach on Oahu, and suggested the Ko'Olina lagoons, which are always calm and beautiful.

noblesm - give me a break! I hope you develop a thicker skin or else you might start to find yourself staying home more and more!

Hey, I didn't know this message board was so mean-spirted. To the one who replied: &quot;Spatz, don't travel much do you?&quot; I've been to Europe and other destinations and have travelled as much as others on this site.
This break-in occurred OUTSIDE of Honolulu in a area on the east coast, I believe the name is something like
Menialo (sp).It was east of the Spouting Horn area if anyone is familiar with that area. It was in a rural area and the McDonalds was next to an equestrian horse farm which gave riding lessons. We did NOT find Honolulu dirty or ridden with hookers.
We enjoyed walking around after dark (yes, after dark!) with the tiki torches glowing along the beach.

Spatz -- I think people know that it was not you who alleged that there were prostitutes and a &quot;huge drug problem&quot;. That was the person who posted the first reply to your post. I appreciate your effort to alert travelers to the possibility of car break-ins. I think it's when others wrote silly responses sounding like Chicken Little that got people riled up, not wanting other travelers to get the wrong impression from their posts (not yours).

I think the area where this happened was Waimanalo?? Out in the country, not in Honolulu or Waikiki!

There are drugs, crime and prostitution in every state, and it is always awful to be a victim of crime.

That said, I think most people coming to Hawaii will be pleasantly surprised at our low crime rate.

One other thing...the license plates in Hawaii are NOT different on rental cars. Exact same series of numbers. Main difference is that rental cars tend to be newer and they tend to all be the same models...we are not joking about GEo Metros and Satellite Sebrings!

You can make yourselves look a bit less tourist by not leaving maps, tourist mags, and ABC store bags on your seats. Maybe take inside-out tee shirts and pull them over the front seats as seat covers, and leave a school book on the seats?

I don't know if anything really helps...my husband's beater Volvo surfmobile has been broken into the same number of times as his shiny Lexus.

Sometimes you're just in the wrong place.

bebe0711 Don't know where you live but Waikiki is one of the cleanest large cities I have ever been to. They actually have people employed to scrape gum off of the sidewalks! No joke! Concur with IamBooth, Waikiki is indeed a great place for a vacation. I thought it was cleaner than Maui. Lots of litter around the roads on Maui which is a shame.

Yes, Maimanalo is indeed the place where the break-in of our rental car occurred on 11/4/04. The Honolulu Police were the ones who came out to the site after the 911 call however.
The staff at McDonalds informed us after the fact &quot;it happens all the time behind the restaurant.&quot; We were parked at the front entrance and the drive-thru cars had to drive right around our car to exit. It certainly looked like paradise in that area.
We, however, were wondering why there were no other restuarants around for miles. It was the Honolulu Police who told us about the Crystal Meth problem and said that &quot;Hawaii is too lenient&quot; on prosecuting a car. They thoroughly fingerprinted the car both inside and outside. However, the police told us that suspects have been freed if fingerprints are found OUTSIDE of the car saying they &quot;just touched the car while walking by.&quot;
To claify matters, we ABSOLUTELY LOVED HAWAII and visited 4 islands.
We are from the metro Detroit area which is a very high crime area so we try to take precautions. And, Maimanalo sure looked like paradise to us. Maybe we were too taken in by the surroundings and let down our guard.

WAIMANALO!

And why didn't my thank you to kolohegirl post?

janita1989,

Yes, I say your post about Ko Olina. However, I am also interested in knowing that would I be able to find a beach in East Oahu that isnt too rough this time of the year.

Well, perhaps I should probably accept that there is going to be surf in most beaches in east and north Oahu. After all, this is winter. However, even assuming that, what conditions should I expect? Would there still be enough sandy area or does churning water fill up the entire beach? Does the water retain its torquise/blue color or is all murky and muddy? May be I am getting wrong picture of Oahu beaches in Winter season since when I hear that there is going to be high wind and big surf, I start imagining Florida beaches as they look in the hurricanes!

If you're determined to go to a beach on the east shore, there's always Hanauma Bay.

Otherwise, there's the beach next to the Kahala Mandarin - the public access is on the same road as if you were going to the Mandarin, but before Waialae Country Club. Don't know the name of the beach - always just called it Kahala Beach. It's pretty calm there and not very crowded usually. The sand itself can be kind of gravelly.

There's also Makapu'u Beach Park, but I'm not that familiar with that beach.

This post is &quot;late&quot; for the obvious technology reason.

noblesm: you need to put down the maui wowie, too. Using your illogical non-reasoning, should I stay away from my own home? I had a car stolen there once. This is pathetic...

I didn't say that the license plates were different--I said that rental cars do not have license plate frames on the plates. Big giveaway that the car is a rental. Check it out--if you have two identical newer Neons, the one with the Cutter or Island Dodge frame on the rear plate will be the local one.

Excuse me but am I missing something?

Is there ANY travel destination that
1) does NOT have any car break-ins?
2) does not have any drug users in the community?
3) is completely crime-free?

Even in what used to be &quot;Mayberry&quot; type rural areas, where no one locked their cars or houses, folks lock their cars even in their driveways.

I've been lucky in many years of steady business and leisure travel I've only had one car break-in...and that was in downtown Nashville of all places.

I chuckled when rental counter agents in Hawaii and Caribbean warned us not to lock Jeep or equivalent soft tops - to avoid slashing to get to the goods. Now, I know why they offer the warning!

I just don't understand the poster's &quot;The sky is falling mentality&quot;. Geez! Where the heck do you live Spitz?

I just found the answer to my question - Detroit.

look spitz, you are taking a beating here and i realize you were only trying to warn us of a bad thing that happened to you. i think you wanted a perfect vacation but it did not turn out that way because of the car thingy. we are sorry about that. it can happen in motor city too i bet. so why not give us a good trip report about the good things that happened to you during your trip. i would love to read it. i think this trip was important to you. i am sorry about the car messing it up. tell us more about your trip.

Gzseattle, yeah, I second Ala Moana beach park. Good beach for family. Sunset, Pipe and the others I mentioned get BIG waves in the winter. Someone mentioned Makapu'u but gotta be careful with that too sometimes. Just check and remember.....if in doubt, don't go out!

I guess this didn't post the first time, so I try em again.
Spatz, sorry you had a bad experience but you gotta understand that could've happened anywhere.......Honolulu, Waimanalo, Waipahu, Hilo, Kahului or Kalamazoo! Kinda hard to make a blanket statement like &quot;there is a MAJOR PROBLEM........on all of the islands in Hawaii.&quot; That was based on your attitude because of your experience. Anyways, glad you liked Hawaii and hope you can return sometime.
For those who suggested putting a shell lei around your rear-view mirror or leaving a 'local kine' item like a school text book on the front seat............COME ON! Locals get ripped off too, ya know. Ice users and other druggies really don't give a crap whether you're a local or not.
Oh....and to Melissa, looks like one of my post got lost too. Anyway, I appreciate the thought. REPRESENT! Chu know dat! Aloha