So I've been meaning to make this video for a while, as someone who has lived in Kakaako for several years. Mahalo to Representative Scott Saiki for joining me to talk about Kakaako and what it's like to live here. For many, Kakaako appears to be a place just for wealthy people, but that's not true. There is a good mix of people here in the area that is reflected in the residents and businesses. So what do you think of Kakaako?

Mahalo Chris for this video! I rent in Kaka'ako. I'm not rich (I don't even own a car). I live in one of those aggressively nondescript 30 year old buildings that Scott mentions. It's full of wonderful people. A significant portion are kupuna who have been here nearly as long as the building has. People say "Hi" to each other in the elevator. They hold doors for each other. There's often free stuff (food, household goods, etc) in the lobby for anyone to take. The neighborhood is full of local small businesses - where it's not unusual for the owner to be behind the counter. The beach is far more local people than tourists. BBQing on the weekends. Reading a book and eating dinner after work on the weeknights. Appreciating the true value of where we live… It's crazy how prevalent the idea that Kaka'ako is only rich people is. When I tell people where I live it's not really a matter of if they'll react badly. It's a matter of how open they will be about it. Is it going to be a weird eye roll or will they just say something outright? You see it here in the comments. It's immediate. Knee jerk. There's no reference to any points in the video. Just the same tired empty platitudes. That's not to say that Kaka'ako (and all of Honolulu) doesn't have a massive problem with class inequality. Everywhere *needs* genuinely affordable housing. No where *needs* luxury housing. It would be naive to think that there's been zero shady business happening with the all the luxury development. The thing about corruption (and anything else that relies on the disproportionate power that comes with wealth) is that it's impossible to fight it if the people who are most hurt by it are too busy waving their superiority at each other to get truly organized.

I love the convenience and walkability of living in Kakaako, specifically Ward Village. So many good restaurants and eateries, plus walking distance to Ala Moana mall. Hopefully in the coming years, more sidewalks will be added especially down Queen St.

The last time I walked thru Kakaako, I felt like it was turning into a self-contained community, where people live in high-rises, are just walking distance from resources (food, AKA Bodegas, shopping, pubs, entertainment, etc.) Add rail and you have a community much like those in NYC, where people live in self-contained communities, and never need cars to get anything. If you need to get to work or go outside the community, just catch the subway/rail, and you're downtown, UH, Ala Moana, etc. Kakaako can be the first such communities in Honolulu, and new community hubs will grow again connected by rail: Kalihi/Dillingham anchored by Palace Saimin and Costco (like the Lower-Eastside), Downtown/Chinatown anchored by Chinese Community Center and businesses (like Wall Street).

This was a cool video. learned a lot about Kakaako from there. Lived here for 2 years and I love it here. Its great to see you walking right past my building! Mahalo!

When I think about Kakaako I think about the sinkholes that will likely swallow buildings over the next hundred years...

First off, it's great to see that you've kicked your cold Chris! Secondly, it's nice to see Representative Saiki walking the neighborhood he represents. I think that more politicians should walk their neighborhoods...get the feel of it from the people's standpoints. Kakaako has really changed over time. Even when I was in the mainland from 1982 - 1992, I could see the gradual changes every time I came back to the islands. And through the past couple of decades, the industrial part of Kakaako has really grown smaller, as businesses have changed the landscape there, and condo development has multiplied. Gone are the days of Ward Warehouse and the small 'pop's fix-it shops' are all going away. Let's hope one day soon, the government finds money in the cushions of their couch, enough to finance Skyline rail to travel south of Kakaako (bah hah hah).

It would be great if you consider going back further in time. My family lived in the area you just walked and my family was closely associated to the Ward family during the depression era. Before I was four years old, I would walk the same route that you walked with my grandmother. The whole area can be so different For each person as it depends hi on the percent value and lifestyle. Open one of the ultra luxury, Howard Hughes condos and I have such a different perspective of what the both of you shared. Before my grandfather died at 99 years old, I drove him through the area which you just walked that he raised his family of six children, and I have to tell you he was a little heartbroken. Thank you for the video!

Loved this video. You might be onto a longer series. Walk and chat with reps from other neighborhoods. It was really fun seeing the neighborhood. When I was young Kakaako was almost all industrial. My last visit home enjoyed going out for grinds there.

I’d love to live in Kakaako. But I thought it really is an area for the ultra wealthy, so this video was enlightening. Back in the day, it truly was an industrial area. Thanks so much for covering this topic and posting this video.

That was so interesting! Who would think of saying they own the streets? Would you? That’s. Crazy. I can think of other places that look interesting, too, like Kaimuki. (Just a small hint.) I wish you’d repeated your representative’s name at the end. He was a treasure trove of great history. Thanks to both of you for a fascinating few minutes.

Thanks for the vlog! Pretty cool to get the different perspectives of one place.

My piano store used to be in Kakaako, first in Ward Warehouse, then forced to leave when Ward Village tore it down and put up a tower only rich folks, perhaps from Japan, could afford. I sure miss being able to look out our store windows and watch the parades on Ala Moana, or walk across the street to Ala Moana beach park to take a break. We moved the store to Cooke St., but a few unfortunate events in the economy caused the shop to close about 15 years ago.

Love Kakaako, also my home for the past few years 😍 The walkability of it is one thing I like best. Being able to walk for groceries or when I go out for food at SALT or ward village 🚶🏻‍♀️It’s also where all the affordable housing is at right now, really great options and new high rises as well! Also love the farmers market and community events held at SALT.. makes it a fun place to live!

Representative Scott is the most helpful representative of the state i ever heard back from Muah💋

Thank you Chris, thank you Scott.

Kakaako back in the 90s had a completely different vibe, especially at night.

TY for this episode, now I have another place to visit next time I fly to Oahu!

This was very interesting; especially the bit of history behind the roads.....a bane in Hawai'i, on all islands. That being said, I wonder how they balance the 'gentrification' that is occuring (and may only increase) with the 'opportunities', cost of living vs income?

Interesting conversation...but difficult to ignore all the upscale high rises and reconfiguration of Ward Warehouse. Imagine that Park Lane has estate homes worth $20 million. It's the legislative branch that approved all the buildings that the average local family could never afford. At one time, there was a building height limitation, but now look at the skyline. There was recently an article that a teacher couldn't find a place to live because rent was $3000/month. Priced out of Paradise!

Mr. Saiki seems like one nice braddah, but he’s still one democrat. Nothing will get better until we elect a republican. Great video. Mahaloz🤙🏼

I would've asked him more about the infrastructure of Kakaako. So much has been developed already. He mentioned it's the government's responsibility. Has the infrastructure been upgraded to support the condos already up? Engineers and architects I talk to tell me "no".

I've been doing a lot of educating myself about the history of Hawai'i, since the US takeover, as well as before modernity, all the way back to the ancient times. I personally hope to see Hawai'i secede from the Union at some point and go back to being a constitutional monarchy, or even just its own sovereign nation. I can't see a single net positive that has come from US statehood, and I am personally an America-First voter. I don't know if this will ever happen, but for the future of this beautiful land, and for the Hawai'an people, I hope that it does, although I think it will take many generations to un-do the damage statehood has wrought upon it. I'm sure you like to keep things somewhat apolitical here, but maybe someday you may want to do a video addressing statehood. I would definitely be interested in hearing your take.

My Grandparents lived in Kakaako many years ago when it was a Japanese ghetto. A man would walk by carrying a pole on his back balancing two buckets, selling Manapua. The neighborhood were all poor. The kids would run around playing a game called "Bang Make". A different time.

Scott is the speaker of the house and is running for reelection this year; its going to be a close race and it could lead to the losing of his seat to Kim Coco Iwamoto. While I personally do not care; this is just an FYI since Scott decided to show up on the channel.

A melting pot??????????? How about a pot of rich bastards????

Thank you for a great video! Man,You guys really walked a lot.lol

I’ve been noticing a lot of Muslims lately in Kakaako and people from Israel also at UH etc it seems besides all the people moving here from the Continent and all the many out of state plates on cars are also these groups moving here

I live and own a home in Kakaako - Ward Village. I’m not rich. I love it brah 🤙

I have visited Hawaii 9 time, since I was a kid. and now I am a grown up with a Kid. Last time I visited Hawaii, I found that Kakaako is the place I want to live in. But it seemed too expensive about the living cost. As a foreigner, where to look for moderate houses? I am giving a at least a year try.

Try taking a video at night to show how many vacant condo units are in Kakaako.There are a lot vacant because many units are not owner occupants. Many of the units are used as vacation homes for out of state/foreign owners.

Wen I was living der, I look at kakaako like mapunapuana area

That “mixed use” is not happening l. Get ready for the Uber Rich from other places besides Hawaii

Lots of affordable housing there

Seems like Scott is a real fast walker!

Next video. Kim Coco Iwamoto on the harsh reality of Kakaako.

Left Hawaii in 2001, moved to Michigan. In this video I can no longer recognize any thing in Kakaako. So much has changed it's mind boggling! Yikes!

30 years ago, Kakaako area was just industrial, and I still feel kind of that feeling though there are many buildings. You just walk around the sidewalk. I have no idea why people want to live the area. I would rather live the condos in KAPIOLANI park area if you have to pay a million in Kakaako. Ridiculous.

Percentages.... what percentage was, and what percentage is now.... and projected percentage will be in the future....

Which buildings are the affordable places? Or is it those old decrepit 2 story walk ups? 😂 Did he talk about his future plans for kakaako or did I miss that? More high rises? More not that affordable affordable condos? Or just the fact that the city got back ownership of the roads? Then what, is he planning on putting in sidewalks? Fixing the drainage issues?

Wow! You walking fast

what about the farmers market

You guys walked far in this video! Lol

I think of a slum with hundreds of homeless people when I think of it. Magic Island loaded with homeless.

Is your friend in a race ?

You need to get off the rich vs us discussions. You are aware that in the U.S. about 1% of the population owns half the country's wealth right? And that 98% of all Lanai is owned by a single Mainlander?

He needs to get off this CPA mobility push. He's not exactly serving Hawai'i with that.