safety concerns while exploring the coastline of Oahu
 

I read on another post that it is not safe to explore the leeward coast. I had read earlier that the north shore of the island can be dangerous. There are always warnings about keeping valuables out of sight and locking up the car. Is this something that is a common problem? It has been mentioned frequently, and I've read in various books about using caution. It makes me wonder if I should venture away from the resort and populated areas.

This warning applies to any state that you plan on visiting. Yes, please do not leave your valuables in your rental car. Its definitely an invitation to have your car broken into. The ocean scenery on the leeward coast is beautiful. Just heed the cautions that you've read/heard about when venturing there.

Could someone elaborate on these cautions? This is the first I've heard about this. "Dangerous" in what way?

I think, Maggie, that is a better question. Just how 'dangerous' is it, and what sort of problems occur? I don't ever keep valuables in view in the car. For that matter, I don't bring them in the car at all. Once we check in to a hotel, that's where they stay. So, what exactly should I beware of. And, I must say, this is not the sort of warning I usually come across when researching areas. I had heard through someone that they knew of someone else who had been robbed on the north end of Oahu while out of the car. I didn't think too much about it till I started reading the warnings.

The leeward coast (nankuli, Makaha)is the poorest area of Oahu. Some really wonderful people live out there, but poverty and drugs have taken their toll. Like any area of haves vs have-nots the crime is often directed against the "wealthy outsiders." I would use certainly caution in visiting that area. <BR>The advise about leaving things in your car applies to anywhere tourists leave cars unattended. Probably every beach, hiking trail and park in America has this problem. <BR>Crime on Oahu is extremely low, but when it happens it is always accompanied by headlines of "Crime in Paradise". You should take the same precautions you'd take anywhere.

We stayed on Oahu's North Shore for 10 days last August and had no concerns for our personal safety or that of our belongings. Visited a lot of beaches (a lot of BEAUTIFUL beaches!), and just used common sense precautions with our belongings like one would anywhere else, on any vacation. The North and Windward Shores are wonderfully low-key and friendly areas. <BR><BR>Please DO get away from your resort and see the rest of the island - I get so tired of postings on this forum bad-mouthing Oahu for being "so crowded and big-city" - these people obviously never saw any part of the island other than Wakiki and other heavily-touristed areas. It is a lovely island with more georgous beaches and scenery than you can possibly imagine. <BR><BR>(P.S. - we just skipped the leeward shore - the hwy. there doesn't go all around the island anyway, so you'd have to backtrack, and there are just too many beaches/areas to see doing the north and windward shores.)

Thanks for the advice. I had planned to go up the leeward coast for one of our day trips. One of the recommended books had great pictures of the beaches there, and described the water as the one place it is almost always swimmable. I'm glad to learn before leaving that I should go off in the other direction. I intend to see as much of the island as possible in the week we are there. Thanks again for the information.