Tag: bula

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Kava Strains: The Hawaii Edition, Part 2

Hawaiian Kava Drinks - Kava Culture
Hawaiian Kava Drinks - Kava Culture

When you think of Hawaii, what immediately comes to mind?  Coconuts?  Palm trees?  Outsiders to Hawaii most often think of this group of islands as a tourist destination, not a rich traditional culture.  So tourists to Hawaii hole up in a resort and drink nothing but beer and martinis…all the while not realizing that Hawaiian culture provides, a safe, mellow alternative: kava, or as the Hawaiian natives call it, “awa”.

Newcomers to kava are often unaware of the sheer number of Polynesian cultures that consume kava, or the myriad strains of kava and their effects.  Hawaii has its own unique strains, and it is well worth it to become familiar with the kava Hawaii has to offer.  

 

Opihikao

This cultivar is tall, growing to a height of over 12 feet.  Original wild samples contained an average kavalactone content of 4.85 percent, whereas recent liberally fertilized samples approach 12 percent kavalactones.  Its chemotype is 462531.  Unfortunately, this strain is rare and difficult to find.

 

Pana’ewa

Cultivated batches of this cultivar have tested out at 8.42 percent kavalactones, whereas wild batches contain as much as 14 percent kavalactones.  It affects the body and mind equally, making it a nice “balanced” kava.  The effects can gradually creep up on the user, so it is important for consumers to pace themselves with this strain.

 

Papa ‘ele‘ele

This strain is sometimes called the “Queen’s Awa” or the “Lu’ukia”.  Papa ‘ele‘ele is the dominant strain in the Waipi’o Valley and the area of valley this strain is found is sometimes called the “Queen’s Awa Patch”.   According to tradition, Lu’ukia was the wife of the ruler ‘Olopana and she lived in this valley in the 1300s.  It also grows in the Waimanu valley in Hawaii, and in the Kīpahulu Valley of Maui.  This is a very potent kava, with samples containing anywhere from eight percent to over 20 percent kavalactone content.

 

Papa ‘ele‘ele pu‘upu‘u

This strain is named after Papa ‘ele’ele but with the addition of the word “pu’upu’u” which means “full of lumps”.  It has been collected from forest stands in Honolua, the Kīpahulu Valley in Maui, and from the Puna district of the island of Hawaii.  One of the more potent strains, this kava produces kavalactones in the six to 15 percent range.

 

Have a taste of Hawaii at Ohana Kava Bar in Colorado Springs

If you are lucky enough to be in the Colorado Springs area, please visit Ohana Kava Bar, in downtown Colorado Springs and North Academy Boulevard.  You’ll get to experience what the Hawaiian islanders have always known was a best kept secret.  If you have any further questions about this wonderful plant, ask Matt Clark, or one of his knowledgeable “kava slingers” and they will be more than happy to help. 

Bula!

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Understanding Kava Culture: Vanuatu

Kava Culture - Vanuatu
Kava Culture - Vanuatu

Have you ever wondered where that shell of kava in your hand originally came from?Kava Culture - Kava Culture - Vanuatu

There is one small island in the South Pacific with a unique culture that can rightfully claim kava as its own: Vanuatu. 

Where Is Vanuatu?

East of Australia sits an archipelago of islands that boasts the greatest number of kava strains. This tiny nation is culturally and linguistically diverse, where, in addition to English, French, and the national tongue Bislama, 113 other native dialects are spoken. 

Vanuatu is an island republic that has had its independence from British and French powers since 1980.  Vanuatu was originally settled by the Lapita people, the forerunners to modern Polynesian cultures.  The Lapita originally discovered and cultivated kava, where it made its way to other Polynesian islands, such as Samoa, Fiji, and many other locations. 

Vanuatu has a three- thousand- year history of using kava for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.  In Vanuatu’s ancient past, only high -ranking men who belonged to secret societies could drink kava for spiritual reasons.

In modern times, kava is traditionally prepared by young boys in Vanuatu in bars called nakamal.

Native Kava Culture: How to Drink Kava in Vanuatu

The kava in rural areas is served in empty coconut shells, but in the urban areas glass or plastic bowls are used.  Kava drinkers are expected to down the whole shell in one gulp. 

For Vanuatu natives, it is traditional to spit enthusiastically after drinking kava as an offering to the gods, but locals are not expected to do this.  It was once customary for only men to be able to attend these nakamal, but recently this cultural taboo has relaxed, and all over the islands men and women drink side by side.   

Kava Culture Today in Vanuatu

Kava is extremely popular in Vanuatu as it is considered the national drink and part of the country’s cultural heritage.  For example, in the city of Port Vila, there are over 250 kava bars serving a population of 45,000.  Kava bars here can be identified by the red and green lights hanging outside the door.  It should not be surprising then, that kava consumption in Vanuatu now includes recreational, as well as ceremonial and medicinal use.  

If you cannot make it to Vanuatu in the future, you can experience a taste of it at Ohana Kava Bar, one of Colorado’s original kava establishments.

There is a location downtown near the corner of Boulder and Tejon, and another, newer location on North Academy Boulevard.  The downtown location was founded in 2015 and features authentic Polynesian masks hanging from the walls.

It is a warm, relaxing environment where people from all walks of life are welcome.  If you have any questions about kava or the cultures surrounding it, the owner Matthew Clark will be happy to answer them for you.