The Hale ʻAwa
Kanaka Kava is a local, Hawaiian family owned business. Our Hale ʻAwa and Pupu is located in the heart of Kailua-Kona.
We serve the cultural foods of our ancestors here and the historically sacred plant medicine of ‘Awa. Through serving our cultural foods and drink, we seek to perpetuate our culture, to serve the health of our community, and to share the history of this land, the real and palpable history of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands.
Our Menu
Most of our dishes are the traditional foods shared during gatherings and feasts. These foods have a significantly, long history and relationship to our people, imbedded with the knowledge of the plants and foods that sustain us. Our cultural foods are rich in sustenance and, of course, local and organic! We source as much food and ‘awa that we can from our farm in Hāmākua.
Kanaka Kava was established in 2001 by Anakala Zach, which has since been passed down to his ‘Ohana. Kanaka Kava was created with hopes of sharing the depth of cultural and natural medicine as well as keeping real Hawaiian culture available to kanaka and haoles alike.
Founded in 2001
What People Are Saying
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“Best awa bar in Kona, full of aloha, good vibes, and ‘Ono food.”
— Kamalani
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“One of the best kava establishments on the Big Island, Kanaka Kava is also one of the few places that will ship frozen and perishable kava and related ingredients from their store. For an extra treat, their kava chocolate bars are a delicious alternative to the typical kava experience.”
— Big Island Guide
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“I let anxiety take over my life for too long. Now I have the strength to control my emotions with ‘awa. ”
— Mary Ann