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Pronounced “ah-vah”, which means bitter, awa it is known as the Hawaiian kava drink. Hawaiian awa has many different names, depending on the region in the Pacific Islands and the cultural background. Many know it as kava around the world. It is called yaqona in Tonga, ‘ava in Samoa, sakau in Pohnpei, and malok in Vanuatu. Hawaiians have called it awa since it first came to Hawaii thousands of years ago. Awa, in the beginning, was mostly used for religious ceremonies. Certain Gods are associated with the use of Hawaiian awa, offering blessings to crops, hunting, fishing and even unions between families. Today awa...

Kava has been noted as being a good replacement drink for alcohol. This is because kava can give you the relaxed, happy feeling people often seek from alcohol. And it gives this feeling without losing mental clarity. In fact, drinking kava enhances mental clarity, unlike alcohol that alters your thinking, judgments, speech and even movements. Because of this recommendation, people have questions about kava and its effects. One of these common questions is if you can get a "kava hangover". Hangovers typically occur the day after drinking. Alcohol can also do damage to the body. The more alcohol consumed, the worse the hangover effects....

Meditation has been used for many years to help a person reach a state of calm and relaxation. Meditation connects the mind, body and spirit and allows you to be fully aware of your senses and your body’s needs. As kava gains in popularity, many people are using kava meditation to enhance their meditation practice and practice minfulness. There are certain factors that contribute to an effective meditation. For example, a quiet space where you can sit comfortably and where there are no distractions. The position in which you sit is also important. It is recommended you sit in an upright...

What may seem like a simple wooden bowl to some, the kava bowl has deep rooted meaning in traditional kava drinking. Various cultures within the Pacific Islands have similar respect for the kava bowl. Small factors may change among cultures, like the name of it or how many legs it has. But overall, it adds significant value to the process of drinking and sharing kava. Origin of the Name For centuries, natives in the Pacific Islands have been drinking kava before ceremonies and rituals. Kava is prepared using the root of the piper methysticum plant, a member of the pepper family. The kava root...