Kanwaka, KansasKanwaka is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Kansas, United States. It is located four miles west of Lawrence. The name is a portmanteau of the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers.HistoryKanwaka was first settled in 1854. Kanwaka had a post office from 1857 to 1870 and again from 1898 until 1900.GeographyKanwaka is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Stull Road.