The river is named for John Kalama, a Hawaiian employee of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) and a Kanaka who made a living making containers for the salted salmon exported by the HBC.
There are temples of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Hanuman, Saint Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, Saint Sri Pothulooru Veera Brahmendra Swamy (India’s Nostradamus)and deity Kanaka Durga are very famous temples in this village.
Sri Kanaka Mahalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe is a 1988 Telugu-language Indian feature film directed by Vamsy, starring Naresh and Madhuri in lead role.
With Mohanlal, Innocent, Kanaka and K. P. A. C. Lalitha appearing in lead roles, the film achieved considerable success following its theatrical release.