Officials say Waikiki crime is down while business want more police presence

WAIKIKI (KHON2) — It has been 18 months since officials launched Safe and Sound Waikiki, an initiative to combat crime in the heart of Waikiki’s tourism district with help from the community.

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Officials said crime is down overall, but some businesses still hope for more police presence.

Honolulu police Maj. James Slayter said Safe and Sound largely depends on officers hearing concerns directly from residents. Maj. Slayter added that police vehicles are not as personable as foot or bicycle patrols.

“It’s a barrier between us and the community, right? And we’re driving by, just chasing calls for service. The bicycle officers, way more interactive than a regular typical patrol officer,” Maj. Slayter said.

Business more inland from Kalakaua Avenue — where the police substation is — said they would like the same attention as Waikiki beach.

“I’d say it’s kind of status quo, I haven’t seen much extra police presence here in Waikiki. We’d love to see more foot patrols or bike patrols here on Kuhio,” said Kuhio Ave Food Hall owner Mike Palmer.

Others said the cruisers seem to be enough and add that any presence helps.

“HPD vehicles, they come around, they actually park in the corners,” Shore Fyre Bar & Grill restaurant manager Micah Uemoto said. “There used to be people hanging out in the corners and whatnot, but lately not to much.

The statistics listed below show significant drops in various Waikiki crimes since Safe and Sound launched.

• Assault (-12.8%)
• Robbery (-27.6%)
• Burglary (-36.9%)
• Auto theft (-29.5%)
• Property damage (-29.5%)
• Drug/liquor offenses (-44.2%)
• Loitering/vagrancy (-16.9%)
• Disorderly Conduct (+44.8%)

HPD attributed the exception of the 44% rise in disorderly conduct to a zero tolerance policy.

Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm added that Safe and Sound’s geographical restrictions — which order habitual offenders to stay out of Waikiki — have been a huge help.

“So, there are a lot more of those being granted, there have been 309 geographic restrictions so far,” Alm said. “And there are 173 that are in operation right now.”

Homelessness is also top of mind for businesses and residents, something the Institute for Human Services and the Waikiki Business Improvement District have been collaborating on — 180 individuals received outreach since October, 2023.

“And we’ve also placed 30 folks into shelter, this includes short-term, long-term and permanent shelter. 14 people have also accepted on-the-street medication,” Safe and Sound executive coordinator Katie Kaahanui said.

Officials said they will focus on the one Safe and Sound location in Waikiki for now, along with the three Weed and Seed locations that include Downtown/Chinatown, Waipahu/Pearl City and Ewa/Kapolei.