How safe is it to live in the Puna district? (Honolulu: crime rate, homes)

[foxy_a]

I am a California native and will be visiting my cousin on the big island in November (He lives in Pahua). If I can find a job comparable to what I have here, I may consider relocating...however, I am curious about the area's crime rate. I have heard contradictory opinions. Can anyone give me a little heads up on this one??

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by foxy_a

I am a California native and will be visiting my cousin on the big island in November (He lives in Pahua). If I can find a job comparable to what I have here, I may consider relocating...however, I am curious about the area's crime rate. I have heard contradictory opinions. Can anyone give me a little heads up on this one??

For starters, the town that your cousin lives in is most likely "Pahoa" (it means "dagger" in Hawaiian), not "Pahua." Pahoa's fairly recent "Weed & Seed" designation and the installation of surveillance cameras have probably lead to a reduction of overt criminal activity.

For the most part, Puna is probably safer than most areas in California; however, some parts of Puna aren't as safe as other parts of the Big Island. Years ago, Puna had a reputation for being the "Wild West" of Hawai'i and it has had more than its fair share of outlaws, hippies, Rastafarian "wannabes", and druggies. In addition, Puna was heavily impacted by the "ice epidemic" that started over a decade ago.

In recent years, gays, lesbians, retirees and "second-home" buyers have "discovered" Puna, which has led to its gentrification. Acres of old-growth 'ohia forest are being razed, lava fields are being leveled, and hippie buses and lean-tos are being destroyed. In their place, newcomers are building million dollar, Southeast Asian and "modernist-inspired" homes with "designer touches." Mini malls and shopping centers are sprouting up. McDonald's, KFC, and Starbucks probably won't be too far behind. As more people move to Puna and it becomes more "Californicated", the crime rate will probably rise again.

Here are a few links to some recent articles in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that discuss Puna's gentrification....
http://starbulletin.com/2007/05/06/b...s/story01.html
http://starbulletin.com/2007/05/06/b...s/story02.html
http://starbulletin.com/2007/04/22/b...s/story01.html
http://starbulletin.com/2007/04/22/b...s/story02.html