Kainaliu

Kainaliu is a small Kona town south of Kailua-Kona, known for old storefronts, the Aloha Theatre, cafes, galleries and its hillside setting along Mamalahoa Highway.

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Kainaliu

Locally known as the "five-mile hill," Kainaliu is an old plantation town located 5 miles (8 km) south of Kailua-Kona. The traffic jam between Kailua and Kona that extends down the hills during heavy traffic hours has come to be referred to as the “Kainaliu Crawl.” But this old plantation town itself is far from what this misleading phrase connotes. It is experiencing a renaissance.

In addition to the old Japanese family-operated shops (such as Oshima's, built 1926, and Kimura's, built in 1927), refurbished storefronts and new restaurants, galleries, bookstores, boutiques, cafés and quaint specialty shops dot this little town, which is located at an elevation of 1,394 feet (425 m). Also check out the vintage Aloha Theatre, which opened in 1932 originally as a silent theater. The theater continually showcases film, live music and dance.

Key Features

Small Kona town along Mamalahoa Highway
Known for old storefronts, cafes, galleries and small shops
Aloha Theatre opened in 1932 and remains a key local landmark
Located about five miles south of Kailua-Kona
Near Kealakekua, Captain Cook and South Kona coffee country
Elevation is about 1,394 feet above sea level
Older family-run stores reflect Kona's plantation-era town life
Traffic through town can slow during busy commute periods
Population: Not separately counted at the 2020 Census
Zip code: 96750

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kainaliu mean?

The name is connected with a Hawaiian phrase often interpreted as "bailing water" or "the bailer," with local tradition linking it to an old canoe-bailer story from the time of Keawenuiaumi.

Why is Kainaliu called Five Mile?

The nickname comes from its location about five miles south of Kailua-Kona along the old main road through Kona.

Why is the Aloha Theatre important?

The Aloha Theatre opened in 1932 and remains one of the best-known landmarks in Kainaliu, with a long history as a movie house and community performance venue.

How is Kainaliu connected with Kona's plantation era?

Older family-run stores, small businesses and highway-side storefronts reflect the days when this part of Kona served nearby farms and communities above the coast.

What is the Kainaliu Crawl?

The Kainaliu Crawl is a local nickname for slow traffic on the road between Kailua-Kona and South Kona during busy times, especially where the highway narrows through town.