Kalihi is a region of Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of O’ahu. If you’re planning a trip to Honolulu or considering moving to the Kalihi neighborhood, here’s a closer look at the area.
Kalihi highlights
Kalihi is close to the center and the airport. Neighbors can be united (as long as you are on their good side). It is one of the most diverse areas of O’ahu. Easy access via public transportation and lower cost of living are also attracted to businesses in the area.
Kalihi also has markets on Saturdays in the Kalihi Elementary parking lot, little sidewalk veggie sales that pop up every now and then (think: a mini yard sale with produce), and the myriad of delicious (or interesting) things to do. They cook all the time and around the block.
Kalihi disadvantage
Kalihi is said to be one of the least safe neighborhoods in O’ahu. The neighborhood’s bad reputation is due to crime.
A colorful story
The history of Kalihi is also colorful. Kalihi has a history of a large population of roosters that were raised for cockfighting. Kalihi Valley is divided by the Likelike Highway, with Honolulu to the east and Salt Lake to the west. The neighborhood once housed a leprosy receiving station, where suspected leprosy patients were tested before going to Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai. During Honolulu’s early development, Kalihi was also a neighborhood known for prostitution.
Since then, the city has worked to make Kalihi more family-friendly and more prosperous. Although the neighborhood is not without its challenges, it is one of the cheapest areas on the island and can provide a positive experience.
The people of Kalihi
Honolulu’s Kalihi neighborhood is primarily made up of working families with a great sense of community. The median household income here is much lower than Hawaii, overall. The Kalihi-Palama area has twice as many people living below the poverty level as the average for Hawaii, according to City-Data.com.
The majority of the population identifies with Asian descent. Tagalog is a very important language here, and many Kalihi residents speak it as their primary language. About 19 percent of residents don’t speak English well or at all, says City-Data.com. This is significantly higher than in all of Hawaii (4.7 percent).
A large population of children, according to City-Data.com, equates to several elementary schools and brings a youthful feel to the neighborhood.
Due to the somewhat rural and uninhabited sections of Kalihi, the population density is reported to be lower than the Hawaiian average.
Apartments and Real Estate in Kalihi
Despite its history and reputation, single-family homes in the Kalihi-Palama area are actually more expensive (about $ 894,000) than the Hawaii average * ($ 685,000), according to 2015 numbers from City-Data. com. But that changes when you look at apartments: Kalihi’s average in 2015 was around $ 263,000, while Hawaii’s was $ 424,000.
Median rent in Kalihi-Palama was $ 865 in 2015, compared to Hawaii’s average of $ 1,361. Kalihi is home to many bargains, and great deals can be found on both apartments (where you also get more square footage for your money) and rentals.
Services in Kalihi
- There are several hospitals within walking distance of the neighborhood: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children at 1319 Punahou St., Queen’s Medical Center at 1301 Punchbowl, and Shriners Hospital for Children at 1310 Punahou St.
- There’s also the Kalihi-Palama Health Center, the Kuakini Medical Center, and the Lanakila Health Center, to name a few other health care offerings in the area.
- Kalihi Schools are located within the Farrington Complex of the Hawaii School District. There are nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school within the boundaries of Kalihi. For the Hawaii State Department of Education School Finder tool, click here.
Services in Kalihi
- As with most neighborhoods in Honolulu, there are several easily accessible local parks. Two parks that are worth visiting directly in Kalihi are Kunawai Park and Pu’unui Community Park.
- The closest public library is at 1325 Kalihi St.
- No matter where you are in Kalihi, there are many shopping malls nearby. For starters, Waiakamilo Shopping Plaza Shopping Center, Nimitz Center, and Kingsgate Plaza have grocery stores and many take-out restaurants. Additionally, Kmart, Costco, and Home Depot are located on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Young’s Fish Market is a consistent award winner for fresh fish and is a permanent favorite with island residents everywhere. For restaurant reviews, check out Ono Kine Grindz’s Kalihi section.
