Just to clarify my beach locker suggestion, it would probably be better to have an attendant there as well to watch the lockers and also assist people. Whether it's open lockers or behind a counter at a kiosk, having some kind of storage for beachgoers at a minimal cost would really improve the beachgoing experience. 🤙
Sounds like a good business opportunity. Key: those are easy to put in a small waterproof bag/ dive box & aren't electronic. Never leave anything in your car. Issue for any beach area in US.
Here in Japan, I've left my backpack (with my wallet and phone inside) unattended while I went bodyboarding many times. I would watch my backpack while in the water, but I was so far out that I wouldn't be able to do anything if someone tried to steal it. Of course, nobody would touch or even look at my bag. Coming from Hawaii, that tripped me out. Good idea about the lockers in Hawaii👍 Hope they send you over to Japan for research😊
I'm still amazed that we can leave our bags on restaurant tables and not have to worry about someone taking it in Japan. I remember the first time we did that. Left our bags on an outside table at Starbucks. Went inside and ordered. I was super anxious about our stuff, but my wife assured me that no one would take them. And yup, right there on the table when our order was ready.
I heard someone used a diaper to wrap her valuables in. So far I haven’t heard people’s stuff getting stolen from a diaper. Anyways, I don’t want to hear, ‘back in my day we didn’t worry about beach theft!’ 30 years ago I was hanging out at Ala Moana beach and this old dude was shouting in the water, ‘he’s taking my bag!’ So I had to get up (how come only me?) chase and tackle the raggedy Haole dude to give the old man back his backpack. As for me and my family we never had an issue with beach theft but usually one member watch the stuff or we strike up conversation with a stranger beach goer and ask if they they can keep an eye on our things. One time I used the water proof backpack thingy and it worked but I was mostly on a boogie board (to float). Looked super nerdy and I didn’t win ‘cool guy’ points with my kids but I was far from the sand and wanted to do the activity with the entire family. Just didn’t want to risk having a stolen truck and be stuck in Waianae.
If you ever take the kids to Shark's Cove/Three Tables, there are lockers by the food trucks across the street. I haven't noticed them anywhere else. It's a good idea. Photography is one of my main hobbies, so I'm often carrying a fairly expensive camera. I have used a big drybag to put all my stuff in and take it in the water. It's not bad, actually. With the air in it, I can use it to float around on. I also have one of those bouys for open water swimming that has a dry compartment in it. But I have certain beaches where I feel safe leaving my bag, so I go there if I want to go in the water and cool off. Closer to home, I came back in from surfing one day and my slippers and towel were gone, so now I walk to the beach barefoot and drip dry on the way back.
@@HelloFromHawaii Yeah, I love photography, but the camera itself can be an albatross around my neck. But what can you do? I've run into shots I didn't expect, that I could never have captured with my phone, but I got the shot because I had the camera, like some honeycreepers in Aiea, for example. I don't actually think theft in Hawaii is as bad as it's made out to be. But I've realized that if don't accept some degree of risk, I'm gonna go nuts. So I take calculated risk, and so far, so good.
Beach theft is unheard of in Japan because nobody goes there. And, there are NO showers at the beaches. Security at spas is like a samurai castle. Not only do you have a locker with a key, but also a safe to put any valuables, as if the locker wasn't enough. This situation is true even at hotel spas, where you have to be a guest to access the spa area, or in some cases, pay a user day rate. BTW spas are just like Roman baths, minus the strigil...
Aloha! My wife and I were just in Waikiki and Kailua Town the last week of May for our 25th anniversary. Your channel was actually one of our primary sources of inspiration and research when planning our trip, so mahalo for that! On beach days, we left our wallets and bank cards, etc, either in the hotel safe or locked in the rental trunk, then kept our phones, rental car keys, and hotel room card in those watertight pocket lanyards. We only left things we could easily replace in our beach bag. This worked really well. We even had snorkel gear and body boards with our beach bag and had no issues at Waikiki Beach or Kailua Beach. 🤙
Mahalo for the comment. Glad the channel helped in your visit. Congratulations on 25 years. Glad to hear that your stuff was safe in Waikiki and Kailua.
Beach lockers are a great idea. Years ago, my friend went surfing - long before cellphones - and she had zipper compartments in her swimsuit. She would put her car key and house key in one, a little cash in the other. Of course, the money always ended up soaked 😂
Thanks. I'd hope they think about lockers or other ideas on how to improve the visitor experience at the beach. The beach is a free activity, but we can still improve the experience for everyone.
If you go to Hawaiʻi alone, especially as a tourist, you never have a buddy to guard your stuff at the beach. When I went to the beach from my hotel in Waikiki, I just safety pinned my hotel key to my swim suit and left everything else back in the safe.
Beach lockers make sense. Have it in a secured area with lots of cameras. It can be a joint venture between Waikiki hotels and the city to offset costs. If we depend on tourists to keep our economy going, we should take care of our tourists. Great idea, again! You should be a consultant to our politicians! 😅
Some time before you were probably born friend (early 1980s) I lived on Big Island (Kona) and later was a Honolulu cop. You didn't take valuables to the beach, period. In fact, passing through Hawaii a few times in the military (1970s) you didn't take valuable to the beach. The only thing that's changed are more expensive possessions, more people and a lot more thieves. In fact, downtown, both Waikiki and local club areas you didn't leave visible change or sunglasses or a Walkman (dating myself) visible on the center console in a locked car especially after dark. Broken window, stolen stuff. Agreed, having someone trusted to watch your stuff is best but what if you are alone? Today, an ID card is a lot more valuable than it ever was in 1984. Moreso than a CC now. We got along fine without cell phones for decades - leave the phone home (not in your car either where it'll get cooked or in case someone jimmies your locks - likely.) Enough cash for the day or CC. Your keys or fob. There are plenty of waterproof pouches to wear around the neck or waist. Buy a good one too like the kind whitewater rafters and canoeists use, today a car fob is a lot more expensive to replace than a key ever was (can't wear it around the neck or wrist anymore) and a little salt water will destroy it. Honolulu has been a thieves paradise for 50 years and just getting worse with the economy and now Honolulu's drug problem. 50 years ago at street level apartments or private homes it was rare to see iron gates and bars on windows and doors. And today? HPD will take a report, or should I say they'll ask you to do it on-line. You are SOL for much coming from it either except a lot of grief.
I live in Kona now and I never bring my valuables to the beach. And I think it's obvious to all the locals because you can spot us by having only one towel and slippers left on the beach lol
Mahalo for sharing your experiences. Interesting point you brought up about the iron bars on windows and doors. I've noticed that more, especially in some of the low-rise buildings.
What if you bury your valuables in the sand underneath the goza that you use to sit on? Ofcourse you can put in ziploc before you bury or some other bag. Depending on the state to do something seems like a long-term and potentially costly scenario. I think for Waikiki a secure locker could be provided by the hotels. Potentially free to the guests and for a small fee for non-guests.
I think people still bury their stuff, but if the thieves are watching, they'll just dig it up when you are in the water. The hotels providing lockers would be a good idea. While not all hotels are on the beach, it would be a good way that they could partner together for something that will help all beachgoers.
Beach lockers would be great. When we were there we left everything back in the hotel and just hope my Apple Watch would keep the salt water out enough that we could use it to pay for stuff and pray that the hotel key card in my pocket would survive. Our towels and sunscreen we just left them in a spot on the beach because them being taken would be annoying but not a big deal.
I have often traveled by myself so if I go to the beach, I have to have most essential on me (car key, ID and debit card or cash for a plate lunch somewhere). That would usually mean keeping the phone at the place where i am staying. I could use advice for waterproof container that is good for electronic car key & phone.
As an annual visitor, I'm always astonished at tourists who display their fat wallet publicly to rent the umbrella and lounger, then place their valuables in a bag under their chair while taking a stroll down the beach. Your hotel room has a safe....don't bring all that stuff with you. The Hale Koa has signs in every room warning about items left unguarded. Common sense, people. Honolulu is a wonderful, safe place.....just be smart. 😉
I'm pretty sure other hotels have warnings about that too, but not everyone follows the advice. As my Dad used to say, "Sometimes you just have to learn the hard way."
they did something like this in my area too. they said that if you leave valuables behind its your problem. its a bit tough its just the world has become so poor so they resort to stealing. its such a tough life we live now. and you cant leave a phone home now cause you are going to need something to call since they yanked out all the payphones.
Cant take advise from HPD. Theft is not a enforcement that make them look good, and this depart. Is the one saying don't drink and drive but their the one doing it. And busting game rooms but i remember a time when a couple of HPD officers were running a cockfighting game and their family was running the snackbar. Lockers are a good idea with a volunteer attendant . People that frequent the beach should help out even volunteer spoters with radios. If i lived near i would. Hangout help keep safe. Maybe get donated bento lol.😊
I'd at least like to see them try. Maybe mobile lockers to start the pilot program. I remember someone started a locker rental business at Ala Moana Beach Park. The lockers were attached to a van or truck. Not sure if that was legal, but it was a good idea.
Love your videos and believe the beach locker idea is good but it doesn't deal directly with the issue of theft. Growing up going to Waikiki to surf we always knew our stuff would be safe by the lifeguard tower, though not always. Perhaps, in addition to lockers, a new division of beach security guards would help to not only deter theft by their presence but also have the authority to arrest individuals, kind of like the DLNR. PS love the Japan incentive for country officials...😅
I suppose it’s not as bad as that Canadian police departments advice. They got world attention when they suggested people start leaving their car keys next to the front door. That way when your house gets broken into the thief doesn’t have to confront you. The idea is we don’t want to make it too hard for them to take what they really want.
They should also leave all their cash, credit cards and anything of monetary value in a basket so the theives wont even have to enter your home. LMAOROTF
Never heard that HPD advice till now - that's ridiculous. And I go to beach alone a lot. I have a Key Fob with no electronics (mechanical key only). I leave my wallet and phone and regular key fob in locked metal box out of sight and secured in and to the car. The box blocks the FOB RF signal. The non-electrical key fob (which I use to lock and unlock the car) goes in the little waist pocket in my swim trunks.
I always use a waterproof wallet that strapped around my waist tight to my body under my suit. It is just big enough for my cell phone, keys, and ID. That's all I'd bring. Its a good one that never failed so far. My slippers and towel stayed on the beach, if someone took them, eh... and Yes! Would always leave the car unlocked with nothing in cause who wants to fix a window for the 5th time.
Just leave your valuable at home or in your hotel room. I just leave my drivers license and a credit card in my car. My key i have em tied to my swim trunks. If they rob my car and steal anything can be easily replaced. If my towel and slippers get stolen at the beach, can replace that too.
Here in the Bay Area specifically when in Oakland or San Francisco we roll down our windows and leave our doors unlocked to not have damage. Down side is getting it stolen or homeless crackheads decide to get comfortable in your car 😤
Wouldn't it be nice if they had attended kiosks where you could leave your valuables for free or at a minimal cost. Lockers would be nice but the thieves would find a way to break in. Bottom line if you don't have any place to leave your valuables, don't go to the beach alone.
Empty out your wallet and just put in a few bills and one or two credit cards and one ID. Place wallet and phone in bottom of beach bag or soft case cooler. Cars are not a good place for wallets. If you’re on vacation, leave wallets in room safe. Hilton Hawaiian is a great place to stay. Very convenient to Waikiki.
Or they could just get tough on crime, and actually do something about theft. They could go to Japan, but all we need to do is look at the culture. Japanese culture is ingrained in collective cooperation and honesty, while holding value to one’s property and privacy.
Like I mentioned, where do we start? The courts? The jails? Maybe we can focus on strengthening the values of the local culture so that people know it's not okay to steal.
I think it’s maybe a combination of both. There’s been plenty of wasted resources that could’ve been used to create additional jails, education, programs, etc. but culturally it needs to start in the home. While one reason for deterrence is the threat of being caught and prosecuted, it needs to fundamentally come down to doing what is right. Appreciate your comment and insight.
Oh, and for reference, we are currently living in Japan now, and will return to Hawaii next year. Time to put my head on a swivel again unfortunately. Why can’t every place be as safe as Japan? Ugh.
What I do is not try to go to a crowded beach. I bring a pop-up tent and take it down close to the water but not too close. It is easy to find my tent when I'm on the beach and it is easy to see who is around it . And if I get hot and tired I can always go inside and relax. I have taken this to the beach many times and had no problems. The thief doesn't know if someone is in there and it is too obvious that they're taking stuff.
@@HelloFromHawaii The locker is a great idea! I thank you for all your commentary about how to make Hawaiian life better! I am a Chiropractic doctor who practice there for 20 years and then moved back to the mainland to help take care of my aging parents. Dad passed away 7 years ago and my Mom passed away a year ago. After 13 years away from Hawaii I am ready to come home. Your channel has been a great comfort and joy to me as I prepare to move back there in November! Thank you for showing everyone life from the greatest State in a America! Dr B
I typically don't keep anything of value in my car. If go to the beach or hiking, I'll open up the glove box and center console, drop the rear seat to show that there's nothing to take. For beach/surf, I'll leave any car paperwork/wallet/ID at home and just drive carefully. I got an older car with actual key, so I just loop it to the tether on my shorts. If I go hike, I'll take everything in a small packet with me. Depending on the area, I'll also make notes that I put at the windows saying "nothing of value in car, please don't damage my car". I've known people that left their car unlocked and the thieves didn't even try to just open it first, they just busted the window or popped the trunk lock. It's sad... To be completely honest I haven't gone beach/surf/hike for quite a while because I've been worried about my family due to possible home invasions/robbery if I'm not readily available. Always shady people wandering the neighborhoods, coming onto property to check things out/steal... When things actually happen, HPD pretty much make like we're wasting their time and victim blame...
Excellent comments! Love the channel. Lived in Hawaii from 80 - 83. Was a wonderful place back then but had many of the same issues. Keep up the great work.
The beach bandits have been a problem for decades. After I graduated high school early 70s my transportation was a rusted out Datsun. The driver side rear passenger floorboard had a hole big enough to see the road. I use to stash my valuables through the hole and into a niche in car frame. I left the windows down. Body surf for hours. Never lost anything. My plate lunch money was always there. Makapuu was one of the worst.
They had lockers at white plains for a while (have not gone in a while but should still be there). One of the most underutilized things but I would always use them when I went to surf and it gave a good peace of mind. They need to have them at more beaches for sure
The beach lockers are a great idea but you'd need to make them out of something other than metal because the salt corrosion would eat up the metal very quickly, especially the smaller locking components.
@HelloFromHawaii Japan don't need security but Hawaii needs them. Even with cameras, it is not guaranteed like the surfboard racks that got burned twice. At 24 Hr Fitness lockers, there are many break-ins. There are stickers reminding not to leave valuables and they not responsible. Even the ATM machine can't be protected from thieves with construction equipment or cars and chains yanking them from the walls. Many security videos, but no mention of catching anyone. Yes... In May 2024, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection named Honolulu the safest city in the world to visit for 2024, ranking it above other cities like Sydney, Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Paris.
Ah the good old days of pre-tech, when all you needed was license, actual car keys (not fob) and a few bucks. So, what if soggy, it's still cash, otherwise, hidden in car someplace as difficult to find. Alas, now tech car fobs that are electronic/battery, like the phone. Hard to travel without phone for the beach, in case, car problems and unable to fix. Possible, plastic ziplock/phone zipped up and buried under the sand for phone/fob, just do it without attention and watching out who's watching as you hide it. In the old days, I actually watched a buddy bury his car keys in the sand embankment on the walk down Hanauma Bay. He tossed it, buried it when no one around, and we walked off. Beach people are: families with kids, assorted/varied ages, singles, teens (singles/group) like Chris mentions. Young kids, like Chris & wife has, extra care as kids safety first. Older families, can round robin protection of stuff by adult. The singles, they take the minimal amount and on person as much as possible, even if it makes them look odd. Who wants to be stuck at isolated beach as dusk arriving to find car not there/broken into and no phone? The teens, minimal needed. The beach lockers suggestion will work only if someone there to ensure nobody would break into the lockers and steal/destroy stuff. Remember the surfboard lockers? It will only appeal to crowded touristy/family areas, which Waikiki & Ala Moana. The drawback with the lockers is that they might get exposed to salt by the ocean, meaning the locking mechanisms might get corroded over time, the last thing we need is constant users getting stuck with a lock that won't open and its late. No phone, no id, no money at a beach. Something to think, about lockers so close to sea air and un-monitored. On the burying, gotta watch out people using metal detectors, scouring the beaches for lost stuff. Hmmm, hey I found a car fob & phone?????
Lockers are a great idea. I have heard several stories about valuables getting stolen at Waikiki. The visitors just don’t know and they learn their lesson the hard way. I have people telling me stuff stolen out of their parked vehicles, again you don’t want to drive around with your valuables visible and then leave them while you are sight seeing or taking a dip
As a local there is no way Im leaving my phone or valuables on the beach unless i have my eyes on stuff all the time. I’ve had my slippers and towels stolen at Ali’is and I know people get stuff stolen at Waimea. Why chance um. I refuse to have my phone stolen. Double bag your valuables and put them in one of those “waterproof” bags and take it with you. Also don’t take a lot of stuff.
Hellz man, when I was a kid in Punalu'u I didn't even wear my zoris walking from my house next to Kaya's to the little surf break at the Punalu'u river because if I left them on the beach they'd get stolen. That's just reality in Hawaii. I'd walk barefoot along the side of Kam Highway there.
- If possible, situate yourself near the lifeguard station. - Take a little things as possible when going on a beach outing. Tourist can have their things locked up at their hotel. - Anti-tourist rhetoric needs to stop also. Too many locals speak badly about tourism, and that in fact makes them targets of crime. If Californians and Nevada natives did that, going to places like Disneyland and Las Vegas would be something else altogether. - Personally, I would want my items stolen without my knowledge. seeing someone take your things can lead to a confrontation, and if it escalates, someone could get hurt over 'stuff'. Hence burglary is thought to be less of a violent act as robbery, as the later usually involves fear/violent tactics. - A funny tactic a friend of mine did when he went to the beach, he used to put a pair of size 20 slippers in plain sight in the car, and move the driver's seat back as far as it can go; giving the impression that someone 'big' owns the car. - The nicer/cleaner the car, gives the impression that the person who owns/rents it is well-off. Leave your car dirty and messy when going to the beach. Leaving valuables in the trunk, console and glove compartment, etc...are the first areas a thief will search. - [sarcastic joke] Worse comes to worse, someone can always bury their items in the sand and dig them up when the day is done...if they can find them.
Yeah its unbelieveable that they consider hawaii safe. Its getting worse all the time. I felt really safe when i was walking around tokyo more than waikiki
