Kava is a drink made from the ground root of Piper methysticum, a pepper-family plant native to the islands of the South Pacific. People have been drinking it for roughly 3,000 years for one reason above all: it calms you. A well-made bowl loosens the shoulders, quiets the noise in your head, and leaves you clear instead of foggy. No alcohol, no hangover, just a slow, grounded ease.
That is the short answer. The longer one is more interesting.
The plant’s story begins in northern Vanuatu, where islanders domesticated it from a wild pepper relative, Piper wichmannii, about three millennia ago. From there it traveled. The Lapita, the Austronesian seafarers who settled the Pacific, carried kava with them from island to island and treated it less like a crop than an inheritance. Only the finest cultivars earned a seat in the canoe. Those cuttings took root across Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, and beyond, which is why the same plant answers to a different name depending on the shore: yaqona in Fiji, ʻawa in Hawaii, ʻava in Samoa.
It comes from the Tongan and Marquesan languages, and it means “bitter.” Anyone who has tasted it will nod. The botanical name doubles down: methysticum is Latinized Greek for “intoxicating,” a nod to the calm that settles in after the first few sips.
Earthy, peppery, and unmistakably bitter, with a muddy, root-cellar quality that lands at the back of the tongue. It leaves a light numbness on your lips too, the plant’s calling card and a sign the root is fresh. This is not a flavor built to win you over on the first sip. It is one you meet, then find yourself coming back to.
Kava relaxes the body and settles the mind without switching it off. The traditional “noble” cultivars, the ones worth drinking, bring on a sense of calm and well-being while your thoughts stay sharp. That combination, unwound but awake, is why kava has anchored Pacific gatherings for thousands of years, and why it works so well as a sober alternative at the end of a long day.
Traditionally the root is ground, steeped in water, strained by hand, and poured into a communal bowl. Then it goes around the circle, one cup at a time. That circle is the whole point. In island ceremonies and everyday gatherings alike, kava has always been less about the beverage than about what happens over it: peace made, stories told, people actually present with each other.
Kava is made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, which contain active compounds called kavalactones. These compounds are responsible for kava's calming effects. Traditional kava beverages consist solely of water and ground kava roots, while modern variations may include kava extracts blended with flavors or additives.
Kava, derived from the root of the Piper methysticum plant native to the South Pacific, is traditionally consumed for its calming and relaxing effects. It is often used to promote relaxation, support restful sleep, and manage mild anxiety. In Pacific cultures, kava plays a significant role in social and ceremonial gatherings.
Kava types include noble kava, preferred for its calming effects and safety, and tudei kava, which has longer-lasting but heavier effects and is less recommended. Noble kava varies by region, such as Vanuatu, Fijian, or Hawaiian, each offering unique flavors and potency.
Beneath the soil of the South Pacific, where warm rains kiss volcanic earth, a hidden force begins to grow. The roots of the Piper methysticum—the kava plant—reach deep into the land, slowly drawing in its strength. Over years, not months, these roots thicken and mature, storing within them a potent secret: kavalactones—the plant’s active compounds and the soul of the kava experience.
It is in the roots, especially the lateral roots that snake outward like ancient tendrils, where this essence is most concentrated. When the plant has fully matured, a careful harvest begins. The kava is pulled from the ground not with haste, but with intention. The roots are then cleaned, dried, and ground into a soft, earthy powder—each granule holding the wisdom of time and soil.
But the journey doesn’t end there.
To make the drink, water is added to the powdered root, and a ritual of release begins. Hands press and knead the mixture with care, coaxing the kavalactones from the fibers, infusing the water with their calming, grounding power. It’s not just preparation—it’s a practice. A tactile connection between human and plant, between tradition and now.
What emerges is more than a drink. It’s a muddy, sacred brew with the power to soothe, to connect, and to carry forward the ancient energy of the islands.
In the modern world, kava is chosen for the properties of the drink such as the relaxation, mood enhancement, and sociability. Still, when you are at just about any kava bar you will see groups of people raise their cups and say “bula!” continuing the tradition, showing respect for the roots of kava. Also, today kava comes in many forms, not being limited to just the traditional kava style.
At Ohana Kava Bar, you can enjoy kava in several ways. Whichever way you prefer, you can expect to get the same relaxation, ease in socializing, as well as improving you mood.
The ceremony and tradition surrounding the consumption of kava is extremely rich and significant to the cultures of the South Pacific Islands. While the drink itself is known for providing a relaxation and being great for socializing, there are a variety of rituals and ceremony involved with the revered drink. Much of the similarities between these different traditions involve treating guests to kava and drinking kava for momentous occasions, always in large groups with a heavy emphasis on togetherness as well as reverence for life, death, and community.
Whether you are searching for something to help you lower or remove your alcohol use, or just want to try something new, kava offers a unique experience worth trying. Its deep-rooted traditions enrich the journey. Kava is becoming more popular and there is a good reason to it. For a natural way to find relaxation, unwinding, seeking connection, or to replace those after work drinks, kava is an excellent destination.
Ohana Kava Bar’s priority is your relaxation. We opened the first and second kava bars in Colorado Springs, and we were among the first kava bars to open in the state of Colorado. Opening our first location in 2015, we have a decade of experience in serving the highest quality kava drinks and other natural alternatives to alcohol, Ohana Kava Bar is here to support you on your wellness journey. We opened our first location outside Colorado July 31st, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. Our newest location and the newest kava bar in the Fort Myers area, Ohana has grown with our third location back in the state that inspired it all.
Kava has been around for thousands of years, and it’s becoming more popular every day. As alcohol becomes less prominent with people choosing alternatives, kava becomes more desired. See why kava is becoming the choice relaxation beverage and experience Ohana Kava Bar by visiting us or at home with one of our products!
When you step into an Ohana Kava Bar, you are stepping out of the pressures and stress of the busy world outside. With a very welcoming, tropical atmosphere that promotes calm and community, you might feel like our kava bar is your second home. Our kavatenders are very knowledgeable and are there to guide you through your relaxation journey. Whether you are stopping by to hang out or shopping online, our carefully curated product offering and resources are designed to bring you confidence in your selection.
Many people struggle with reducing or eliminating their alcohol usage. You do not need to be alone in your decision to do that. At Ohana, you will find a supportive environment and a community of like-minded individuals. Not everyone who goes to Ohana chooses not to drink alcohol, and many do. Many also have chosen to not use other substances and find that kava and our other natural alternatives are effective in supporting their need to feel good, relax, and connect with others.
Kava bars are unique, they are like a mix between a friendly neighborhood bar and an independent coffee shop. Although, where coffee shops can feel lonely and less welcoming, being able to meet people and talk to others, kava bars are more like a bar where that type of behavior is expected and welcomed. And of course, kava bars do not serve alcohol, so they differ from the friendly neighborhood bars in that way. Which also means kava bars are less “wild,” as patrons are not inebriated, having lose control. We still have fun, but do not have the craziness you might find in your local neighborhood bar.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, and much more social than a coffee shop. People love to talk with others, work, delve into artistic activities, play games of all types, and just hang out. Our products promote a sense of calm and well-being to aid you in finding your sense of belonging in our space.
At Ohana Kava Bar, we focus on drinks that uplift your mood, relax your body and mind, and enhance your well-being. Our drinks do not cause inebriation like alcohol does, meaning a greatly reduced risk of impaired judgement. Instead, they promote meaningful conversations, positive mood, feel-good relaxation, and an enjoyable experience. Also, there is no hangovers from our drinks!
Find your chill at Ohana Kava Bar. Whether you need a new place to unwind after a long and difficult day at work, need a place to meet your friends, want to get some work done in a relaxing environment, want to go on a date, or just hang out somewhere other than home, we are here for you! Ohana is a place for people to be able to be themselves, get creative, meet your best friends, and find your calm. Come visit us to see how our drinks and community can transform your routine.
✨ Feel at home, unwind, and connect at Ohana Kava Bar – your personal oasis in Colorado Springs and Fort Myers.
