'Kalihi' (meaning, ''"the edge"'', in Hawaiian) is a neighborhood community of
Honolulu on the
island of
O‘ahu in
Hawai‘i. Split by the
Likelike Highway, it is flanked by
downtown Honolulu to the east and
Mapunapuna,
Moanalua and
Salt Lake to the west.
Kalihi is also the name of the
ahupua‘a situated between
Kahauiki and
KapÄlama in the
Kona (now Honolulu) district of O‘ahu. The ahupua‘a consisted of Kalihi Uka, Kalihi Waena and Kalihi Kai. Historically, Kalihi Kai was the site of the former Leprosy Receiving Station, where those suspected of
leprosy were examined prior to treatment or being sent to
Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka‘i. Kalihi was also known for its famous fishponds, ‘Āpili, Pahouiki, Pahounui, ‘Auiki, and Ananoho, near the present Sand Island Access Road (State Route 640) all of which have since been filled in. The harbormaster of Kamehameha I, Captain
Alexander Adams, maintained a residence near the ‘Āpili pond.
Kalihi valley has been carved by Kalihi stream; it is narrow and steep in its upper reaches, but widens out to flatlands as it approaches Honolulu Harbor.
The lower valley has been a residential area for a considerable time, and is home to numerous tracts of older houses. It becomes commercial and maritime close to the water.
Some schools in the area include Kalihi Kai Elementary, King David Kalakaua Middle School and Farrington High School. Also, located in upper Kalihi is the private school Kamehameha Schools.