Kava from Hawaii
Hawaii is one of Canadians favorite sun destinations. It is also the
closest place to home to get familiar with kava culture and kava.
It is where we bought our first kava and it turned out it wasn't even
actually from Hawaii but from Tonga. Still, if it wasn't for that
trip to Hawaii, we would still be "kava ignorant". By the way, there
is a whole lot more to Hawaii than just Honolulu and Waikiki.
Hawaii, the 50th State of the USA (According to the USA…), is an archipelago
of 8 volcanic islands. In 2008 it had an estimated population of 1,288,198.
The biggest and youngest island is called Hawaii or Big Island (pop
201,109), with Kona and Hilo as its major centers and airports.
With an area of 4,028.0 square miles (10,432.5 sq. km), it has the
most active volcano in the world, K lauea that has been erupting since
1983, making the island a little bigger everyday. Big Island also
has a perfect place above the clouds for stargazing, Mauna Kea at
13,800ft (4205m), where several Countries have installed permanent
telescopes. Sadly it also has the most polluted beach in the world,
filled with debris brought by currents from all across the Pacific
Ocean.
The island of Maui (The Valley Isle) is the second largest with 727.2
square miles (1883.5 sq km). In 2008, the population was counted at
143,574. Its highest mountain, Haleakala is famous for its bicycle
rides all the way down from the summit. It also has an astrophysical
center called Science City with huge telescopes. Among the popular
tourists attractions, are the scenic views along the road to Hana.
Oahu
(The Gathering Place) is the third largest island, with 596.7 square miles (1545.4
sq. km). It is home to Hawaii's Capital, Honolulu. It is famous for Waikiki beach,
Diamond Head Crater, The Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor.
Kauai, (The Garden Isle) is the oldest one, located at the northern tip of the
archipelago. With an area of 552.3 square miles (1,430.5 sq. km) it is mostly
famous for its roosters, its Canyon, its movie sets and for the Na Pali Coast.
Mount Waialeale is the wettest place on earth receiving an average of 472 inches
(1 198.88 cm) of rain per year. Like its name suggests, it is a beautiful garden
with lots of fragrant flowers and lush vegetation. Tourism is the most important
industry and it is very hard on the local population. Molokai (The Friendly
Isle) has an area of 260 square miles (673.4 sq. km) and in 2000 had a population
of 7,404. It is one of the least developed of the main islands. Its inhabitants
are very protective and are doing everything they can to protect the island from
becoming overcrowded with hotels and resorts. Lana'i (The Pineapple
Isle) with an area of 140.5 square miles (364 sq. km) only has one town, Lana'i
city. It gets its nickname after the Dole plantation called Hawaiian Pineapple
Company. Most roads on Lanai'i are dirt roads. Ni'ihau (The Forbidden
Isle) is the smallest of the inhabited islands of Hawaii with its 69.5 square
miles (180 sq. km). It was purchased by the Robinson Family in 1864 with a contract
that stipulated they had to preserve the Hawaiian culture and traditions. The
Hawaiian language is the main first language although English is also spoken.
As of 2009 there were only 130 inhabitants. There is no store or hotel on the
island. Solar power is the main source of electricity and they use rainwater for
drinking. The rental of a small cliff to the navy is the island's main revenue
along with the selling of shells and jewelry shells. Kaho'olawe (The
Target Isle) is the smallest of the islands. It is uninhabited but has been used
by the US army for training for many years.
Kava in Hawaii
The kava plant, also called awa, is not a native plant to Hawaii and was introduced
in Hawaii by the Polynesian settlers. They brought along about 12 varieties to
the islands. They cultivated kava for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. For instance
the kahunas (priests, healers) would use kava to communicate with the spirit world.
It was also used as a diplomatic drink between clans for peace and to make deals.
It was used in hula dancing initiation for little girls. There is no written history
of kava but it is mentioned in ancient chants and legends. Hawaiians consumed
h n lea relish (a mixture of partially decomposed fish) to get rid of the bad
taste of kava and aumiki noni (a fruit juice) to get rid of any of its unpleasant
effects. Personally, I wouldn't rinse my mouth with rotten fish… It doesn't taste
THAT bad! Mahakea kava is the most popular variety in Hawaii. It has
a woody flavor, and it can make you feel good, relaxed, happy, positive, satisfied,
inspired and creative. It has the most desired chemo types with the least side
effects possible with other kavas like headaches, nausea and drowsiness. Mahakea
has a pleasant effect on the mind Kava
in Canada : The issue of the 2002 ban and stop-sale of Kava in Canada
by Health Canada Vanuatu Kava : An
Introduction to the Vanuatu island archipelago. Vanuatu is said to have the best
kava in the world with the most varieties. Available in Canada shipped direct
from Vanuatu. Fiji Kava : An Introduction
to Fiji and Fiji Kava
Hawaiian Kava : The kava plant, also called
awa, is not a native plant to Hawaii and was introduced in Hawaii by the Polynesian
settlers. Kava Recipe contributed by TripSister
Our Kava Regular Recipe Serving: 1 cup of kava 1-2 Tbsp powdered
Kava buy powdered
kava kava 1 tsp soy lecithin 1 cup water Mix in
blender for 4 minutes, strain in a bowl, using a knee high nylon stocking, squeeze
the liquid out and poor into cup (coconut shell preferably). It's best
to make a big batch. Myself, I find the blender a bit loud and once a day is enough
noise for me! For two people you can make 4-6 cups of kava in one shot and then
just sit back and enjoy your cup of kava. We prefer to take kava on an empty stomach,
at the end of the day before supper. Taking kava before going to bed can keep
some people awake. Lecithin is used as an emulsifying agent to release
the kavalactones from the kava powder that is not water soluble. If you don't
have lecithin you can use a neutral oil, like canola or vegetable. There are many
different kinds of Kava. You might have to adjust quantities according to taste.
You can try juice, soy milk or plain water. to help extract the kavalactones that
are not water soluble. Also, the strength and quality varies greatly from one
company to another. Note: Never use hot or boiling water to make your
kava, it will kill the good relaxing properties.
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