Kalihi is a neighborhood community of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi, United States. Split by the Likelike Highway (Route 63), it is flanked by downtown Honolulu to the east and Mapunapuna, Moanalua and Salt Lake to the west.
Kalihi was the name of the ahupuaʻa (ancient land division) between Kahauiki and Kapālama in the Kona (now Honolulu) district of Oʻahu. The ahupuaʻa 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 Molokaʻi. Kalihi was also known for its fishponds, ʻĀpili, Pahouiki, Pahounui, ʻAuiki, and Ananoho, near the present Sand Island Access Road (Route 64) all of which have since been filled in. The harbormaster of Kamehameha I, Captain Alexander Adams, maintained a residence near the ʻĀpili pond. The name comes from ka lihi which means "the edge" in the Hawaiian language, and was used for districts on other islands.[1] Located at ,[2] it was thought to be named by Prince Lot (the future King Kamehameha V in 1856.[3]
Kalihi Valley has been carved by Kalihi Stream; it is narrow and steep in its upper reaches (with source around , but widens out to flatlands as it approaches Honolulu Harbor, with its mouth at .[4]
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 Elementary, Kalihi Waena Elementary, Kalihi Uka Elementary, Kalihi Kai Elementary, Dole Middle School, King David Kalakaua Middle School, Farrington High School, and Damien Memorial High School. At the southern edge of the district lie the private Kamehameha Schools and the Bernice P. Bishop Museum.