Picture this: you’re ready for a relaxing day at the beach, sunblock applied and book in hand. But instead of unwinding, you find yourself anxiously clutching a waterproof bag with your phone, keys, and wallet bobbing in the ocean beside you. According to the Honolulu Police Department, this is the new norm for safeguarding your valuables. While the intention behind the advice might be sound, it poses practical questions about usability and even risks to personal electronics.
In a place celebrated for its laid-back vibes and stunning landscapes, the contrast between the promoted safety and actual experiences can be stark. Reports and statistics paint a picture of declining crime rates, yet the police department’s advisory to hold onto your valuables while swimming seems to undermine these claims. If Hawaii is as safe as advertised, why do such drastic measures feel necessary?
As someone who has spent countless days enjoying Hawaii’s beaches without incident over decades, the recommendation to swim with my valuables feels more comical than practical. It suggests a lack of effective, on-the-ground strategies to deal with theft and other safety issues proactively. Moreover, the advice might even lead to new problems, like damaged electronics or distracted swimmers.
When we travel to another island, we usually wrap the rental car key in a towel and place it near the lifeguard station with our other belongings. Our cell phone and wallet (with limited cash and a credit card) are left hidden under the car seat and out of view before leaving. In all the years we have lived on Kauai and traveled to other islands, we have thankfully never had an issue.
When cell phones get wet with salt water, like from the ocean in Hawaii, bad things can occur. Salt water is particularly harmful because it is highly conductive and corrosive. In contact with the metal components inside a cell phone, it can cause oxidation and corrosion leading to permanent damage. When the salt water dries, it leaves behind minerals that can form causing further damage.
Some say that if your phone gets wet in salt water, keep it turned off then immediately dry it then place in a bag with a desiccant or dry rice. This may help absorb moisture, but it has not worked for us!
Hawaii’s reputation as a safe tourist haven is valuable, and maintaining it requires more than just reactive measures. It’s time for local authorities to rethink how they address safety concerns, ensuring that their advice doesn’t just shift the burden to tourists but genuinely enhances their security. Let’s hope for a strategy that supports uninterrupted enjoyment of Hawaii’s beautiful shores rather than turning beachgoers into anxious guardians of their gear.
What’s your take on the Honolulu Police Department’s advice? Have you ever taken your valuables into the ocean? Share your experiences and thoughts below.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Oahu residents aren’t taking any chances with emergency preparedness ahead of the latest round of severe weather.
City Mill has been working to keep shelves stocked with supplies.
“We’ve been selling a lot of sand and sandbags. We have a product called Quick Dam, and we have sold out at a couple stores. We’re trying to move them around so that everybody has something,” City Mill Merchant Iris Wilhelm-Norseth said.
Tape, batteries and flashlights have also been moving quickly among customers, along with pumps and rain boots.
City Mill and other officials are stressing emergency preparedness as recent storms have shown flooding can happen anywhere at any time.
“The little flash flood in Manoa kind of flipped people out too. That came out of nowhere. So people are very concerned,” she added.
Hawaiian Electric said it is also ready, following emergency preparedness procedures to ensure communities aren’t left without power for prolonged periods.
“It doesn’t take a named storm to really cause significant damage to the public infrastructure, whether it’s roads or other types of infrastructure, or the electrical, grid. We know that these heavy rains and very strong winds can have significant impacts,” HECO spokesperson Darren Pai said.
If the Public Safety Power Shutoff program is implemented, the utility said it would be a coordinated decision with emergency responders in the interest of keeping communities safe.
The Board of Water Supply is also asking customers to store water in case service is interrupted for an extended time.
And for storm supplies that don’t get put to use this time around, officials say not to toss them too quickly.
“This is also a great opportunity for people if they don’t use it to hold on to it because we are going into hurricane season starting in May again,” Wilhelm-Norseth added.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Anyone who’s grown up in the Islands has either given, received or marveled at a piece of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, the highly ornate, hand-engraved bracelets and pendants emblazoned with Hawaiian names or initials in an Old English-style font.
But where did this jewelry and its unique style come from?
Turns out the first Hawaiian bracelet was made in 1862 for the young Lydia Park, who later became Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The bracelet, which is now at ʻIolani Palace on Oʻahu, is inscribed with the words, “Hoomanao Mau,” which translates to “a lasting remembrance.” It was handcrafted by Honolulu-based jeweler Christian Eckart and emulated English Victorian designs popular at the time.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Since then, the Hawaiian bracelet has evolved to include tropical flower designs, raised lettering and scalloped edges. Today—more than a century and a half later—Hawaiian heirloom jewelry is still a symbol of love and friendship.
This story was originally published in our SPRING 2023 Issue. Buy a copy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
Catherine Toth Fox is the former editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine and continues to contribute to the website and print publication.
A 35-year-old man was taken to a hospital in serious condition early this morning after an apparent stabbing on Waterhouse Street in Kalihi, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
At about 2 a.m. today, EMS crews co-responded to the incident and treated the man for multiple injuries, including at least one to his upper body. He was transported to an emergency room for further care.
No other details were immediately available.
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