Posted on October 20, 2020August 7, 2024 by matt

Kava Strains: The Hawaiian Edition

Hawaii, like many Polynesian islands, has a long history of using kava—traditionally called “awa” by the native population. This state is home to several strains that even seasoned kava drinkers may not be aware of but are worth exploring. Hawaii boasts 13 strains, all of which are suitable for drinking. This article will profile five of them.

Hiwa

Pronounced “Hee-vuh” this cultivar of kava is also known as “Black Kava” because the stems of this strain are a deep purple. Hiwa has been traditionally reserved for ceremonial use by high priests. Native Hawaiians believe that this strain can open the so-called “head pico”, a center of energy in the body roughly equivalent to the head chakra in eastern medicine. It is supposed to assist high priests in having waking visions and vivid dreams at night and connect them to the spirit world. Consumers report that this strain is both energizing and deeply relaxing at the same time. Its chemotype is 462351 and the total kavalactone content of Hiwa is 11.23 percent.

Nene

Nene plants have green stems with dark green spots and one of the names it is called literally means “turtle back” in Hawaiian. The word “Nene” is spoken to Hawaiian children as it is thought to be soothing. It is a quite common strain, and kavalactone content ranges from 6 percent to 11 percent based on the sample taken.

Mahakea

A potent strain, Mahakea has an average kavalactone content of 8 percent. The Mahakea plant produces green stalks and purple internodes and thrives under intense sunlight, even more so than other varieties.

Mo’i

This strain was traditionally reserved for Hawaiian royalty and their families. Along with Hiwa, Mo’i was given as an offering to the gods, along with a black pig. The plant is short, dark, and purple and produces 9 percent kavalactones on average and a chemotype profile of 463251. Its effects have been described as stimulating but mellowing at the same time, while the taste is smooth and buttery, with notes of chocolate.

Papa Kea

Papa Kea is exceptionally strong, boasting a total kavalactone content of 11.6 percent and a chemotype profile of 462351. It produces an earthy or woody taste without an excess of bitterness often found with other kava strains. Like Hanakapi’ai, it can be difficult to find as it is a rare strain. Papa kea plants grow squat, rarely reaching a height of five feet.

Come to Ohana Kava Bar in Colorado Springs

Fortunately, you do not have to fly in a cramped airliner for hours to Hawaii to sample what this wonderful group of islands has to offer. Ohana Kava Bar has two locations in Colorado Springs, one downtown and another on North Academy Boulevard. Ask the owner Matt Clark if he has any Hawaiian kava strains in stock. Happy drinking!

Posted on May 18, 2020June 24, 2024 by matt

Understanding Kava Culture: Vanuatu

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

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.

Tag: kava bar