Hawaii 1990: Crime Trends in the Aloha State

Hawaii was one of the safest states in the country in 1990, with a violent crime rate significantly lower than the national average. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which collects and analyzes crime data from law enforcement agencies across the United States, Hawaii’s violent crime rate was 347.6 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to a national average of 758.2 per 100,000. This placed Hawaii as one of the top 5 safest states in the country that year.

However, Hawaii did not escape the issue of crime altogether. Property crime, which includes burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, was a significant concern in 1990. According to the FBI UCR, Hawaii’s property crime rate was 3,514.1 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, which was slightly higher than the national average of 3,449.4 per 100,000. This suggests that while violent crime was a relatively minor issue in Hawaii, property crime was a more significant concern.

In terms of specific crimes, burglary was the most common property crime in Hawaii in 1990, followed by larceny and motor vehicle theft. Nationally, burglary was also the most common property crime, followed by larceny and motor vehicle theft. This suggests that burglary was a widespread issue across the country in 1990, and Hawaii was no exception.

Another notable trend in Hawaii’s crime statistics in 1990 was the high rate of violent crime committed by strangers. According to the FBI UCR, 51.4% of violent crimes in Hawaii were committed by strangers, compared to 34.4% nationally. This suggests that Hawaii’s low crime rate was due in part to the close-knit nature of the community, where residents were more likely to know and trust one another.

Overall, Hawaii’s crime statistics in 1990 paint a picture of a state with a relatively low violent crime rate, but a higher property crime rate. While burglary was a significant concern, the fact that most violent crimes were committed by strangers suggests that Hawaii’s close-knit community was a major factor in its low crime rate. These statistics provide a snapshot of crime trends in Hawaii during a time of relative peace and stability, and offer insights into the factors that contributed to the state’s low crime rate.