Living In HONOLULU - KALIHI

In this video Derek shares:
- The range of experience to expect in this lesser-known part of Honolulu
- Story about how he went to jail
- Story about visiting a spooky house on a hill
- Kamehameha Schools - a brief history
- Helena's Hawaiian Food - 1st visit
FIND YOUR HOME IN HAWAII NOW
🏠 coreteamhawaii.com/
USE DEREK AS YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT
📲 [phone] (Derek responds to text messages quickly)
💻 [e-mail]
⬇️ ⬇️ WATCH MORE HONOLULU NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR VIDEOS ⬇️ ⬇️
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• Living In Hawaii Kai v...
Derek Okahashi
RS-82017
Licensed In Hawaii

[@movingtohawaii]

FIND YOUR HOME IN HAWAII NOW 🏠 coreteamhawaii.com/ USE DEREK AS YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT 📲 [phone] (Derek responds to text messages quickly) 💻 [e-mail]

[@lonelypigeon7562]

Derek....if you do research how especially like local, hawaii born and raised asians talk, they talk "anykine way en den dey change into da mainland style"......Now, have you heard of the word (especially in the WW2 era where alot of mainland asians volunteered as well as locals, for the 442nd/100 battalion). The locals here call those that were born and raised in the mainland, katonks. thats referring to asians, hawaiians, portuguese.....Their personality is a little different than the locals here.

[@livingasarose3927]

Honestly, love Kalihi. The people are so honest and real and we love it. So local and hope it stays that way.

[@livingasarose3927]

And that was our postal lady, she is so sweet,

[@sofiadober268]

That was so interesting! I love the neighborhood stories and history. Good timing running into the postlady. She was able to answer about the hidden property. Would enjoy seeing it. It’s something how the municipality doesn’t enforce easement, etc. I’m in Elk Grove village, Illinois (near Chicagoland). You can’t make, change or add anything to the public property or your own property without approval from the Village hall. Thanks for this video!

[@movingtohawaii]

Mahalo Sofia!

[@Tasjennings75]

It’s my city….yeeeee! Kalihi…the unique things about the real-estate when it’s come to Kalihi, you can tell how the migration was developed and who came first and second and so on. You see Filipino architecture, Spanish architecture and chimes as well and others so on. It’s so beautiful

[@movingtohawaii]

The town tells a story of its own, doesn't it. The history, the people, the generations.

[@christinafuafiti9428]

🕊🤍

[@ansleybillena381]

Amen! Thank you for sharing your story! 🙏

[@ulthunter4611]

Keep doing what you doing brah been homesick for a while but whenever I watch these videos hou makes me feel just like I at home 🤙🏽

[@movingtohawaii]

Raja dat 😎

[@IslenoGutierrez]

Love to all of Kalihi! I used to live mauka side in Kalihi Valley for many years at the very top of the mountain, at the top of Kalihi street, my house was on the street right after the Chozen-Ji Japanese temple on the right side of Kalihi street and we were also near the Samoan Church which was on the left side of Kalihi St. My house was right on the Kalihi stream and the water ran next door to my house. Good memories. Mahalo for the video and aloha 🤙🏽

[@howellwong11]

My house was on Dillingham Blvd. next to the bridge that crossed Kalihi Stream. The bridge was built in 1932 according to the marking on the bridge. I was born when the bridge was built. It is not a main thoroughfare since the freeways now cover the whole area. I moved to Kalihi Kai, next to the railroad tracks, in 1939. I left Hawaii in 1953. My schools were Kealahoe Kindergarten, Puuhale Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate and Farrington High. I attended UH, but graduated from Purdue University. I remember saying that one day, I will catch the Kalihi bus and get off at the end of the line, then hike up to the end of the valley. Now, you can drive through the end of the valley.

[@IslenoGutierrez]

@@howellwong11 Oh wow, yours was a very long time ago. I lived in Kalihi valley back in 2003. I moved from Kalihi Valley years later to Pensacola St in Makiki.

[@TropicTrdr]

Kenny's Burger House used to be a great place to eat in Kalihi. Great video.

[@martybeidleman3027]

Bruh, I laughed so hard when you was driving up that steep hill! 😂

[@movingtohawaii]

Derek was freaking me out! (This is Kenji)

[@martybeidleman3027]

@@movingtohawaii LMAO Kenji!!! I can tell you probably had to edit that part, because you went from bottom of the hill straight to top of the hill, and Derek was talking about his hands are sweating and swearing. Bruh me and my wife was up in here laughing our asses off. The part that made us laugh was when he tried to play it of and ask you if you were freaked out. Then you replied, "You freaking me out!" hahahahaha Bruh this is classic funny. You need to save this one for a bloopers video in the future.

[@movingtohawaii]

A bloopers reel is coming! And you better believe this will be in it 🤙🏽

[@malunguymark]

i was lookint for this video since i stumbled upon ur channel llol good stuff

[@tinaau1091]

Born and raised in Kalihi Valley. Thank you for bringing back memories. It would have been nice if you went all the way into the valley on Kalihi St.

[@lbnails6500]

Wow thanks for taking me down memory lane! My cousins used to live on this steep-ass hill in Kalihi and I am wondering if it was Noe Street that they lived on, lol. In SoCal, I want to say Kalihi reminds me a bit of Wilmington/San Pedro, not sure if you've been to that part of SoCal - a mix of industrial and a mix of family homes. Kalihi also reminds me of the westide of Long Beach, lots of Samoans, Filipinos. lol it was nice to hear the USPS lady chismis about the houses all the way in the back of the valley and the house that has an elevator. Wow good timing to talk story.

[@flavorkingpluto]

Thank you so much! That was just what I needed. I think I like Kalihi Valley.🤙

[@movingtohawaii]

It’s got Hawaii vibes all day and close to town!

[@2endsformacircle762]

I love the vibe there. My friend just recently bought a house at the very to of the hill. The view is amazing.

[@movingtohawaii]

Oh yeah, Kalihi has some prime zones

[@christinafuafiti9428]

That's my city❤️ exactly what you said. Great video

[@Candice-Tara]

This video was so nostalgic! I was so happy that you went through kamanaiki st. I grew up on Moana st a few rows up from the cemetery. Kalihi valley was a special place for me as a kid. Everyone knew everyone. All the kids in the valley walked to Kalihi Uka Elementary school. Buses don’t go into Nihi st or Kamanaiki st. Those roads are narrow so you have to stop to let the oncoming car pass since lots of cars park on the side of the road. There’s a stream that flows between Nihi and Kamanaiki streets. I used to play down there and catch fish, tadpoles and crawfish. Really enjoyed this video!! Lots of love and aloha!!

[@BowieTVC15]

My family moved to Kalihi Valley in 1974 on Anuu st. Their grooves cut in the concrete road the hill was so steep. At night we would hang out at that school with the little pakalolo. Love the valley.

[@POLITICALHYBRID]

Thanks for the vid! Living in Washington State I enjoy all the lush greenery in those hills. I moved to Arizona for a year and was offered a promotion to keep me there but I wanted to get out of the desert. Real estate in SW Wa has gone crazy, a lot of houses get sold in a few days with offers over asking price. I can't detect much of your Pidgin but I had a store in Aloha, Oregon and there were a couple of people that I had to listen to very closely to understand them. Long live The Kingdom.

[@keithfreitas2983]

Lived on Machado st and had family live throughout Kalihi. Guarantee you drove past my cousin Souza's house on kalihi st. Went to Kamehameha. I'm Portuguese Chinese Hawaii. Lots of Portuguese live in Kalihi and went to St Johns Catholic church. I too turn on/ off my Pidgin. When my kids were young they couldn't understsnd me talking pidgin. They older now and understand and talf some pidgin too. Good video.

[@addisonfoxfire9174]

I really like your channel!!! Lots of love from Hollywood California ❤️

[@movingtohawaii]

From CA to HI, much aloha! Mahalo for watching, Addison 🤙🏽

[@addisonfoxfire9174]

@@movingtohawaii I went to Dole and then farrington high school, I used to live in Kalihi valley many years ago!!! Going to back for Xmas I can't wait!!!! Keep posting video's they are amazing 🤩 I really enjoyed this one, it felt like I was back on the 🏝️ Island!!!

[@fleem5]

Kalihi is and will always be home to me. Family home is near the School/Middle St. and Kam IV Rd. intersection (where get da 7-11 and Jack-in-the-Box)...

[@howellwong11]

I lived on Dillingham and Kalihi Stream (1932-1939), then moved to Kalihi Kai next to the railroad tracks and Oahu Prison (1939-1953). I watched your video to see how Kallhi has changed. My play ground was Keehi Lagoon. It was all countryside and fish ponds from the Oahu Prison to the airport. I left Hawaii in 1953,

[@thomas45081]

Wow! ... absolutely beautiful! What is astonishing is the topography and visuals of these neighbourhoods, what appear to be working class peoples areas. I'm working class, and live in Dallas (NW Dallas), we don't have anything close to the beauty, mountains, and all the rest that you have, and this part of town is mostly flat (Oak Cliff section of Dallas has some hills and large working class areas). One thing I've always heard, was that it's SO EXPENSIVE to live in a town like Honolulu(?). I just stumbled on this video, because I'm going to visit Honolulu within the next few months, and most of what they show on video is just the tourist places, all the fancy stuff of downtown, Waikiki, etc, which is cool and all that, but I like to see something besides the big national chain stores, restaurants, and hotels. I first came to Texas from New York (Brooklyn) around 20 years old, but also stayed in Miami, Chicago, Houston, LA and other towns ... but always wanted to visit Hawaii, and now at 66 years old, I will finally get to check it out, with my daughter. But also hear that the weather there is beautiful year round, I guess that's why it's so expensive too, besides having to have so much imported there. I liked the old (original) Hawaii Five-0 tele series, that was very popular back in the 1970s, I probably seen every episode of that! But Thank You for the tour, really a treat ... love the way your neighbourhoods are laid out, and that huge mural on that building was awesome!

[@movingtohawaii]

Sounds like you're ready to enjoy your time in the islands, Thomas! Mahalo for sharing. I'm sure you and your daughter will enjoy the weather, food and lifestyle our home has to offer.

[@mellowmoods8393]

Thanks for the video, man! I'm a haole from San Diego and have lived in Ewa Beach since 2004. It's different here, and I'll leave it at that, but I've learned to roll with the flow and gotten into the rythm of life here. I'm a full timer seller on eBay, and there was a time I was in Kalihi every day hitting the Goodwill As-Is store off Waikamilo looking for merchandise. That's why I still carry my Louisville Slugger right in arms reach in case I need to Regulate in kalihi. If you know, you know! I love it here and 2 of my kids were born here at Kaiser and hopefully we will be able to stay for a long time. My kids are future Campbell alumni. ;)

[@jeffyoung60]

There's Kalihi Valley and then there's Kalihi in the denser southern urban areas that encompass the famous King Street, St. Theresa Church and School Street, and more specifically, Kalihi-Palama, down by Palama Settlement. That's where you'll find Helena's Restaurant, known for its traditional Hawaiian food at reasonable prices. I've dined there several times as I'm a former Kalihi boy, having grown up in Kalihi-Palama, attended Damien Memorial High School, but now residing on the mainland. My story is sadly, like so many thousands of Oahu kamaaina's who've had to emigrate to the mainland for jobs and affordable housing.

[@user-nh4dj4bt4u]

Ho not Damien 😂. VIRILITER AGE

[@pineapplebanana2786]

I lived off of Gulick in Kalihi. Brahh memories 🥹

[@leroyrodrigues4885]

Bra I used to live up on Noe street back from 1974-1979 and my cousin still lives on Noe in the same house, brings back memories you guys went right past where I used to live on the right side the stone wall right before you went up the steep hill, bra thank you for doing this video I love it

[@movingtohawaii]

No way… you lived on Noe St?! Yup, I remember that stone wall. Your street is no joke! Looking out the window and the scenery is diagonal ⛰ Leroy, I’m so happy that this video let you revisit some memories and make today that much brighter for you and your family. Take care and mahalo for tuning in! - Kenji

[@leroyrodrigues4885]

Yah I was one kid back then since mom moved us to California but yah I used walk up where you guys drove past my place into the mountains with my cousins and hike all the way down to Kalihi-Uka school I loved living there had good childhood friends and my cousin Deena still today lives in that house on Noe Street, as one way fo beat the rising costs of housing is keep your inheritance, but eh thanks you guys please keep making these videos I really love what you guys do 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@hughjoelcaulk7244]

The Pastele Shop is my favorite thing in Kalihi. Sooooo ONO!

[@guslevy3506]

This area reminds me of Eagle Rock in LA. Mix of commercial and residential in a hilly area with tight winding streets so it’s hard to get your bearings. Because it’s so convenient to Town and has freeway access, Kalihi seems like it will be slowly gentrified over time as the housing stock is in need of a “refresh”.

[@movingtohawaii]

Mahalo for the comment Gus. Idk, I think Kalihi will hold strong as Kalihi because it’s not like it’s Oakland and they can cash out and move to Sacramento.. you cash out here and the natural progression is Vegas and not everyone wants to do it. We shall see! Mahalo again

[@howellwong11]

Kalihi Kai was residential before it was zoned industrial. Poor Puuhale School.

[@Ernie831]

Love it!.

[@movingtohawaii]

Glad you like it, Ernie.

[@retahdude]

I was born and raised in Kalihi and to be honest it has its charm, but the reality of me buying my own home there was very low. I moved around in my late twenties but love where I’m at now (kaimuki/Waialae) area.

[@howellwong11]

Kalihi is not the Kalihi I knew (1932-1953).

[@havenhwang6204]

Hello Derek! Do you happen to know what's it like to live a year or two in Hale Moku housing area? We're a family of four with two keiki in elementary school. I would love to hear your thoughts!

[@johnsolas81]

I used to lived at 803 (B) Bannister St. and at Kalihi Valley at 1775 Kalaepaa Dr

[@leilareggie1826]

You sound articulate in integrating who you really are.

[@hwneyezzz]

Howzit Derek, watched a few of your videos, born and raised on Kauai, living now in the Bay Area for over 35yrs, not far from Oakland/Alameda. We will always get it from both sides of how we speak, my brother inlaw would always say to talk straight(meaning to talk local), I just keep laughing at him the the way they talk because they are so funny, and I miss it.. I'll never get that pidgin out of me. I am thinking about moving to Oahu, maybe soon. Take care bradah, checking out the best places to live, closer to the city, Kaphulu/Kamuki area.🤙🏾

[@movingtohawaii]

Once the pidgin takes a hold, it'll always be there waiting to be activated - no matter how far away from these islands you go! What kind of timeline are you thinking about in regards to moving back home? You take care, too, and don't hesitate to hit me up 🤙🏾

[@user-vg8ee4pf1k]

Hoping to get to Hawaii sooner than later

[@martymaranan7191]

I missed Honolulu sometime!

[@jdomingo1976]

Thanks for showing love to kalihi the city with no pity, but kalihi is changing the people here have the ALOHA spirit although housing is getting taken over by huge Chinese owned rental properties that's making rental prices ridiculous

[@tricallyourmama]

I used to live in kalihi...KAM4 projects waayyyyy before the remodel. It as rough af back then and still is now. Look at the kids in the school and it’ll tell you what you need to know about the town. I went to Dole middle school then Farmington and it was nothing but fights and riots all the time

[@user-nh4dj4bt4u]

Hollyywooood 😂

[@howellwong11]

Kam IV Road was all pig farms in my days. Farrington '50. I heard that Kalihi is a swamp nowadays.

[@frankpalermo3882]

Very interesting

[@oc1on141]

Really great video. Very informative and comprehensive.Defenitely going to Subscribe and tune inn! 👍

[@movingtohawaii]

Mahalo for the sub and support!

[@reginachristmas9973]

My Mom Grew up in Kalihi Valley, I was able to see where they lived in 2002. We moved to the Mainland in 1963. Always wished we would of stayed. When I was there, was this overwhelming feeling of the cost to live there. So came back to the Mainland.

[@movingtohawaii]

Hi Cathy, mahalo for sharing your experience with us. The overwhelming feeling you mention is shared by many locals who feel priced out of paradise now days. I mean, just look at the Hawaii population in Las Vegas (9th Island)!

[@reginachristmas9973]

@@movingtohawaii Vegas is where we do our Ohana Reunion every 5 years.

[@movingtohawaii]

@@reginachristmas9973 And I bet every Ohana Reunion, Vegas looks and feels more and more like home

[@reginachristmas9973]

We went in the exercising room and even the equipment was all in Hawaiian Olelo!!! Loved it

[@lakihonu]

Auntie lives on Bannister. You went pass her house amongst the industrial! By half way house. Cops come by when visiting in summer looking for runaways from prison too! 😂

[@KZVidz]

I’m 19….non military and just moved here! Any cool places I could be hanging out at (mostly nights) as I have a lot of free time when not working

[@kimofromkalihi]

That’s why people stand out when they ain’t from the valley. Can tell everytime some running not From The Area. They get lost real quick tryna book it out. Kalihi, the City with no Pity.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

14:06....that is not Farrington HS, that is Kapalama Elementary Sch. When you filmed Micronesia Mart, Farrington is on the back when you are driving.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

as for Ariel.....the "former" foster parents wanted to adopt NOT TO CARE....but to get the $$$$$$$$$....

[@musicmike1960]

I remember a prison on Nimitz highway, if I'm remembering right it was a long time ago...It was next to or near the Primo beer factory...

[@movingtohawaii]

OCCC. It's still there.

[@musicmike1960]

I always thought about how terrible it would be to be locked up in paradise...I would see the prison as I rode Da Bus to Waikiki for the day...@@movingtohawaii

[@jonnuanez7183]

1:28 You mean like a "love shack"? "Tin roof...rusted" lol. And yes I noticed your accent changed when you were talking with the mail lady.

[@movingtohawaii]

Gotta turn on the pidgin when appropriate 😉

[@TheHawaiifan]

I am so grateful you talk with pigeon accent.

[@peterparker5545]

Hey Derek too bad you didn't quite showcase the vast area of Kalihi. It runs from Middle Street (old love's bakery) to the edge of Chinatown. This includes the school st. and liliha areas too. The combination of industrial and residential is what makes this place unique. It's centralized and there's food/shopping/public trans/freeways easily accessible.

[@howellwong11]

Kalihi is from Middle Street to Kapalama Canal for me. I live in Kalihi from 1932 till 1953, then left the Islands.

[@kanielagifford293]

Living in Hawai`i for 10 years, I tried speaking pigeon but it just wouldn't come out right. When I worked at a call center answering calls for Home Depot, I sometimes got calls from Hawai`i and when they found out I lived there, they would speak pigeon, but I couldn't speak back. No dis-respect for not speaking, I just could not get it down. I left in 1992 and I would love to come back, one day, I know it will be emotional!

[@susanschmidt2252]

Brah. You’re like my father-in-law. 2 mins into a convo with a local and he’d switch to Pidgin. Would be so thick we couldn’t understand him! Then 2 mins after the convo he’d be back to “normal.”

[@movingtohawaii]

Hahahaha. Having grown up partially in Florida then moved to Hawaii mid-childhood then joined the Coast Guard and left then can back…. I’m all mixed up 😂😂

[@BOOYAHA53]

Brah , if your born and raised on the island an live on the mainland your lingo will always come out when you go back home

[@howellwong11]

Not me, but my accent gives me away.

[@godboy114]

lmao was waiting for you to show the real Kalihi side. I use to work in that area

[@jaxripper251]

Brah dats what im saying all the Micronesians so pilau

[@kalaigirl]

ohhh shit this where i grew up, how kalihi got a spot light on youtube lmao

[@movingtohawaii]

Kalihi is just as much a part of Oahu life as any other neighborhood on the island, so we wanted to show some love!

[@indycharlie]

Hmm .... well, this was interesting and all , except . You never gave any " pricing " for any of the homes or apartments ?!

[@maxfit68906]

Kamehameha School. Also known as “Upper Farrington “ 😎

[@harrychufitness]

@25:02 the rail. ~

[@movingtohawaii]

We actually just caught a test run of the rail in our most recent video! It was running just fine, as far as I could tell. Will it relieve traffic congestion, though? Time will tell

[@jaquima36]

Rez dogs on the Island!

[@skytalamoa287]

Born&Raised and die Kalihi💯 (Downtown Kalihi) kaauhmanu housing, Mayor Wrights, chinaTown

[@patrickrivera7404]

Hahahaha I love the way you pointed out the architectural designs of Kalihi, Waipahu and Ewa --"posts" and Iron gates. Pink and colored houses. PILIPINO neighborhoods! hahaha just say it! lol. Great video!

[@movingtohawaii]

Haha mahalo Pat. We have specific ethics rules as agents and we keep it as real as possible, but even I can’t say what YOU said! 😂 thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@kristofthibaud8491]

Colburn Street named after my Roots.

[@howellwong11]

A lot of my classmates lived on Colburn. Circa1940's. I lived on Kalani next to the railroad tracks.

[@altee9501]

If you from HI and never tried ALEJANDRO’s in the Valley, wake tf up! You madd sleeping 🛌

[@movingtohawaii]

Hahaha. My friend said it’s the best. Ever had Taqueria El Ranchero in Wahiawa?

[@altee9501]

@@movingtohawaii yups mean dey tacos but Alejandro’s get Monstah burritos 🌯 bugga broke da mouth and okole 🤣😂

[@movingtohawaii]

@@altee9501 The aftermath is part of the experience, I guess lol

[@movingtohawaii]

@@altee9501 😂😂😂😂

[@Eighce8]

Goigle maps not going to help you certain parts of Kalihi Valley

[@martymaranan7191]

Filipino homes!

[@jasminegueco327]

Sweetheart, we want to preserve the Aina.....not destroy it......ALOOOHA!...

[@kawikadavid8958]

You can go to Kamehameha without having Hawaiian blood but only if the enrollment is down. Otherwise Hawaiians has preference.

[@waynewisecarver]

See? Wanna know something? Ask Mahe. She's like Howard Dicus: Mahe knows more than you do.

[@movingtohawaii]

Thank you. Seems like life is great for you.

[@user-rh8fl8qz2z]

Kalihi - HIGHEST crime rate in the STATE per capita.

[@stanmuneoka8117]

Probably with princess Ruth's beneficiary money

[@jaxripper251]

Oh and no more Block Buster wtf my guy

[@stacybee8339]

You don’t even know the history of kalihi. Shows like this are part of the reason why Hawaiians are getting pushed out. Wanting to turn Kalihi into Hawaii Kai 😒

[@jayc4715]

Is Kalihi the ghetto?

[@movingtohawaii]

🤐

[@jayc4715]

😀thanks

[@movingtohawaii]

@@jayc4715 no idea what you’re talking about. We can’t talk about that kind of stuff 🥸 You’re a real estate investor tho?

[@jayc4715]

@@movingtohawaii yes ..im trying to learn as much as possible about Hawaii..ive been investing in Texas

[@movingtohawaii]

@@jayc4715 HI = appreciation state and low on cashflow. cf can be found but if you find great COC, it’s an even better flip 🤷‍♂️

[@LaniJeb96960]

1 of 2 places in Hawaii I dislike… Kalihi and the other Waipahu

[@howellwong11]

You would have like Kalihi back in the Thirties and Forties.

[@petertai2361]

the best manapua shop is .. kalihi two places on the same street kalihi in the bakery

[@howellwong11]

Yea, on the corner of Kalihi and Kalani was one.

[@user-zl4mx4ec5f]

I grew up in the 40s and 50s in kalihi called kalihi-war homes, before there was a kuhio housing. Feel sorry for those who reside there now. Nothing but bad vibes and crimes.