We will be spending a day in Kona to see the sights. I've heard that the public parking locations are not safe from vandalism or theft.

How true is this and where can I park my rental car so it is safe?

I don't mind paying in a private parking area like a hotel .

Thanks for any input.

Make sure there's NOTHING in the car that would attract a thief. They say that even trunks aren't a safe place to put stuff. It occurred to me to wonder if it might be a good idea to pop the trunk so they wouldn't have to force it open to see that it's empty. Anybody have thoughts on that?

Are you talking about in kona Town, or at a beach parking lot?

In town, you'll be fine as long as:
a) you don't leave valuables in sight and
b) you don't put valuables into the trunk as you leave the car.

At unsupervised trailheads or beach parking, follow a) & b), but be aware that thieves can get into your trunk in just moments. So:
c) Don't leave valuables in your trunk either!

You might also consider scattering a bunch of newspaper or trashy looking stuff inside your car while leaving it at a beach.

Parked in Kona - no problems. Just don't leave valuables in sight.

"Just don't leave valuables in sight."

Just like parking in a public lot anywhere in the US. Used the pay lots and the free lots in Kona many times, never had an issue (even when the car was left all day).

When we go to an out-of-the-way beach on the Big Island we leave NOTHING valuable in the car, and we leave the windows open and the trunk unlocked so potential thieves can see that there's no need to break in.

In town, as others have said, don't leave valuables in the car. But we have never had a problem and have been going there for 10 years.