Comments sought on Kalihi study

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

A city vision team project to document life in Kalihi and help guide residents as they plan for the future has been completed in draft form after three years of effort and the city is seeking public comments before producing the final report.

"This is the beginning of a long process of trying to beautify the area while being respectful of what has gone on before," Harding said. "It's the first really comprehensive document designed to be used as a baseline for Kalihi."

The report, which cost $300,000 to complete, was created by Townscape Inc. after public meetings, talking with community leaders and researching the physical, environmental, social and economic factors of the dense urban community.

"This is a very comprehensive plan we would like to use as a model and a template for other community vision groups," said city planning and permitting director Eric Crispin. "This is the kind of thing we wish every community vision group had undertaken initially rather than necessarily jumping straight into projects."

Crispin said if you divide $300,000 into three years of work and the many people involved, the cost is in the range of what is to be expected for the extensive scope of the work.

"The benefit is one that will be perceived for a long time," Crispin said.

The report details urban environmental objectives, areas of focus for revitalization and beautification and an action plan for reaching those goals.

The goals include preserving historic structures, creating pedestrian walkways and bikeways, sponsoring community festivals celebrating the community's diverse cultures, and establishing a community development corporation to lead rehabilitation and revitalization efforts.

According to the report, Kalihi was one of the first areas to be developed on O'ahu and as a result the infrastructure is old and substandard in many areas. Kalihi-Palama contains Honolulu Harbor, three hospitals, a prison, a community college, historic locations, O'ahu's largest industrial area and half of all the public housing on the island.

With a population of 75,829 people the area lacks at least 12 neighborhood parks and two community parks totaling 240 acres, according to city standards.

The community is described as an "incubator" for new people coming into the state partly because of the fact that housing prices are low and there have been successive waves of immigrants from Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines and most recently South Pacific islands.

"Kalihi's role as a gateway community is very historic and will continue that way," Harding said. "We have one of the richest tapestries of cultures you can imagine in a state that already stands out. I see Kalihi as having a really bright future."

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.