Posted on October 25, 2020August 7, 2024 by matt

Kava Strains: The Hawaii Edition, Part 2

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!

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 June 19, 2020June 24, 2024 by matt

Understanding the Kava Culture of Fiji

The traditional Polynesian drink known as kava is thought to have originated either in Papua New Guinea or the Vanuatu archipelago over three thousand years ago.

But today, many other Polynesian cultures have taken root. Now it is consumed all over the South Pacific and the island of Fiji is no exception. As the Polynesian islands have started implementing kava into their culture, they have developed their own unique culture around the consumption of this relaxing substance.

Kava in Fiji Called Yaqona

In Fiji, the traditional word for kava is yaqona.

Fijians are proud of yaqona and consider it their national drink. If you are lucky enough to be invited to a village kava ceremony, it is considered polite to bring a gift as a token of appreciation to the village elder.

How to Consume Kava in Fiji

The consumption of kava is thoroughly woven into the fabric of Fijian society.

Nearly every significant rite of passage—whether it is a birth, marriage, or even the resolution of a dispute—is accompanied by copious amounts of kava. During these ceremonies, kava is prepared on the spot, as Fijians do not bring premade kava. The kava is pulverized, and water is added during the ceremony, whereupon it is strained through a bag into a bowl called a “tanoa”. It is customary for the village head or chief to drink the kava first and then everyone else at the ceremony drinks in order of their social ranking. The village elder will clap his once before consuming the kava and one time after.

Kava is Spiritual

Kava in Fiji is deeply connected to traditional spiritual beliefs.

One Fijian legend has it that kava came from the god Degei who wanted to provide human beings with kava to enhance their spiritual wisdom. According to another legend, kava comes from the island of Tonga, where the first kava plant sprouted from the grave of a Tongan princess who died of a broken heart.

In the distant past, only village elders and chieftains were granted the privilege of drinking this wondrous beverage, but today all segments of Fijian society can partake of it. Aside from ceremonial consumption, ordinary Fijians drink kava for recreational purposes to relax and socialize more easily. Many Polynesian cultures have traditionally restricted the use of kava to men, but in Fiji men and women drink kava in equal amounts.

Traditional Kava and Modern Kava Consumption

The use of kava has spread far beyond its traditional cultural homelands.

Today kava bars can be found everywhere from New York City to Colorado Springs. The latter city is home to Ohana Kava Bar, with two locations, the newest one on North Academy and Austin Bluffs. Remnants of the Fijian kava culture can be found here. The walls are adorned with traditional Polynesian masks. And when customers clink their kava bowls together, they do not say “cheers”—instead, they say “bula” which is the Fijian word for “to your health”.

For more information on kava cultures, just ask the owner Matt Clark or one of his knowledgeable kava bartenders, who he affectionately calls “kava slingers”.

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 culture