Kalihi revitalization initiative coincides with planned redevelopment of Oʻahu jail

On August 24, 2017, the Hawaiʻi State Office of Planning and the Kalihi 21st Century Transformation Initiative’s Vision Committee presented Governor David Ige with a final report outlining its top priorities, including “economic development and housing to support Kalihi’s current and future generations.”

The committee was comprised of members from both public and private sectors. Kalihi community members were able to provide input at three public informational meetings held at Farrington High School. The list of generalized redevelopment priorities includes:

• Economic development;

• Affordable housing;

• Ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of current and future Kalihi residents;

• Open spaces, infrastructure;

• Preservation of pride and culture; and

• Kalihi as an iconic area of Honolulu.

“Being part of the planning process was empowering, but it also shows that Governor Ige cares what we think and want and need. He promised that he would work with us to create a vision for Kalihi and he delivered,” said longtime Kalihi resident April Bautista.

In his 2016 State of the State address, the governor committed to working with the community to revitalize Kalihi. He asked the Office of Planning to bring together community members to develop a vision for a “21st century Kalihi,” focusing redevelopment on state-owned land in the Dillingham/Iwilei corridor.

“I appreciate the hard work of the Vision Committee, the community and the Office of Planning,” said the governor in a press release. “They worked collaboratively to discuss a wide range of potential opportunities for Kalihi as we work to transform the community to its fullest potential.”

At the same time, the state is considering redevelopment of the 16-acre site of the existing Oʻahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC), a key parcel in the corridor that could provide many opportunities for the Kalihi community. The Department of Public Safety is currently going through an Environmental Impact Statement process and reviewing potential sites to relocate the facility. The state is also considering keeping OCCC on site, but in a reconfigured footprint.

Read the 21st Century Kalihi Vision Report here.