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 July 31, 2020June 24, 2024 by matt

The Importance of Kava in the Tongan Culture

Americans are well acquainted with beer, but that can of Budweiser you’re drinking right now probably doesn’t have its traditional uses—or legends.

But there is an archipelago, called Tonga, in the South Pacific with a traditional drink called kava—it means “bitter” in the Tongan language, named after the taste—with its own ceremonies and origin legends. This is because Tongans have been using this plant for thousands of years, and its use permeates almost every aspect of Tongan culture.

Tongan kava culture can be quite conservative when it comes to gender roles. Men consume kava at social clubs, and only men can drink it—the women are tasked with serving it. The men at these clubs cannot be related to the women serving kava. If any man is a blood relation to the server girl, he will be asked to leave, as the server girl is often seen as potential marriage material. The men at the club will typically vie for her attention. If one of the men at the club is lucky enough to marry one of the server girls, it is expected that he gives her kava during the marriage ceremony as a gift. On Tonga’s main island of Tongatpu, kava is only traditionally consumed on Wednesdays and Saturdays—however, the other inhabited islands are more lenient in this regard.

Not only does kava permeate gender roles and rites of passage, but it is also featured in the country’s legends. According to a popular legend, kava originates from the Tongan island of Eueiki. A king named Tu’i Tonga arrived on this island with some of his men looking for food and rest. The parents of a daughter with leprosy (whose name was Kava) had no food to offer the king, so they sacrificed her to the Tu’i Tonga as a show of peace and respect. Legend has it that the first sugar cane plant, and the very first kava plant, grew on this girl’s grave. One day, the couple decided to visit their daughter’s grave and noticed something odd. A rat was chewing on the kava plant, becoming intoxicated in the process. It is for this reason that both plants are used during traditional Tongan ceremonies. To this day, kava is given to the presiding Tongan king as an offering. The legend is not just an origin story; it illustrates the four Tongan virtues of Fakaapaapa (respect), Lototo (Humility) Mamahi ‘I me ‘a (commitment), and Tauhi’ vaha’ a (keeping good relations).

Fortunately, you don’t have to fly fifteen hours on a cramped airplane to Tonga to experience this aspect of the Tongan culture. Colorado Springs features the Ohana Kava Bar. This bar has two locations, one on East Boulder Street, and a new location on North Academy Boulevard. Ohana’s owner is Matt Clark, former registered nurse, and kava enthusiast. If you’re in town and not sure how to kill the time, come to Ohana and kill your anxiety with kava!

Tag: kava history