Kawika Kualiʻi and Kaina Lovell have been serving up Aloha at “Aloha Craft Café” in the Old Līhuʻe Plantation building for over three years now.
The Café’s beginnings go back to “Plantation Coffee,” the former employment program for recovering addicts operated by “Love the Journey.” Kawika went through the program himself and quickly became the lead manager.
So, it was only natural when the former owners moved away that Kawika and his spouse, Kaina, would seize the opportunity to create Aloha Craft Café. Kaina was already a food crafter along with his sister, Nalani Kaneakua, sourcing their salad and sandwich creations to health food stores like Vim & Vigor.
Both young entrepreneurs had been wanting to create something of their own — to take the next step and become business owners. They knew their potential, given their background and years of experience in hospitality and food service. Their goal was to build something thoughtful and authentic, a place that celebrates quality, craftsmanship, and the aloha spirit. They refer to their small, close-knit team as family rather than staff — saying everyone plays an important part in keeping things running smoothly and upholding the Café’s standards for quality and consistency.
They both wear many hats. From day-to-day operations and menu development to overseeing catering partnerships and customer experience, they’re very hands-on. They take pride in being involved in every detail to make sure everything they serve lives up to their “crafted with aloha” philosophy.
Their coffee service focuses on quality beans, careful preparation, and friendly service. Their breakfast highlights fresh, satisfying favorites — like breakfast burritos served with their signature creamy garlic sauce. For lunch, their craft club is a standout: turkey, avocado, bacon, and cheese often enjoyed with a side of that same creamy garlic sauce.
Another favorite (and my favorite) is their house specialty tuna melt, which has become a go-to for many regulars. I like to add avocado and tomato to mine! The Cafe also partners with several tour companies across the island to provide ready-to-enjoy meals for guests on the go — it’s their way of extending the “Aloha” beyond the “Café.”
The Café’s following includes a loyal mix of local residents and repeat visitors. County, state and other workers from all over Līhuʻe Town stop by to grab-and-go or hang out in the cozy lobby dining room.
The Café is quite the gathering place – especially on Fridays when the kūpuna come to kanikapila. Come check it out!
