Hawaii’s Crime Wave in 1938

Hawaii’s crime wave in 1938 was marked by a significant rise in larceny cases, which accounted for nearly 90% of all reported crimes in the state, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. The FBI UCR program, established in 1930, aimed to standardize crime reporting across the United States.

During this time, the nation was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, which had led to a surge in property crimes. The rise in larceny cases in Hawaii was not an isolated phenomenon, as the country saw a nationwide increase in property crimes due to economic hardship and poverty.

Violent crimes, such as murder and robbery, were relatively rare in Hawaii in 1938. According to the FBI UCR data, the violent crime rate in Hawaii was significantly lower than the national average. However, the state did experience a notable increase in reported cases of assault and burglary.

The FBI UCR program also reported that Hawaii had a higher rate of motor vehicle thefts compared to the national average in 1938. This was likely due to the state’s high population of young men, who were more likely to engage in motor vehicle theft.

In conclusion, Hawaii’s crime wave in 1938 was characterized by a significant rise in larceny cases, which dominated the state’s crime landscape. The nationwide economic downturn and poverty contributed to this trend, making 1938 a challenging year for law enforcement in Hawaii. The FBI UCR program’s data provides a valuable snapshot of the state’s crime trends during this period, highlighting the need for effective crime prevention strategies to address the root causes of property crimes.

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