Pentecost chiefs have welcomed the proposed construction of a kava processing on their island.

Chief Olivier Tabi from Ilamre village when presenting a traditional Pentecost red mat to the Minister of Trade, James Bule, told the minister that people are tired of failed government promises.

He told Mr Bule that the project is a good project but he is a “doubting Thomas”, like that in the Bible.

The Chief said that he will only believe when the project is fulfilled.

Mr Bule launched the kava processing factory at Lese area, Central Pentecost, during his official visit on the island last week.

The ceremony was marked by the erecting of a stone where the site to build the factory should be.

This was followed by a pig-killing ceremony by the Minister.

The kava factory is a long-time dream for the farmers on Pentecost, an island well known regionally and internationally for its original variety known as Borogo.

Since the commercialization of the traditional drink in the early ‘80s by the well known businessman, Late Charlot Longwah, farmers have struggled to bring their product for sale in Port Vila and Luganville.

The construction of the factory on the island should bring an end to the struggle of farmers and enable them to make more income out of their products.

Currently with the sale of raw green kava, farmers are getting less monies than processed one.

One kilogram of green is currently sold at 300 to 1,000 vatu per kilo and dried kava is sold at 4,000 vatu a kilo.

Chief Tabi urged Minister Bule that people of Pentecost want to see finished product and direct export from their island.

The factory will also end the difficulties faced by the farmers when they come to Port Vila to sell their products.

Travelling to urban centres with the kava for sale by either a father or mother has led to social problems such as theft, where the kava money raised was stolen, and even divorce when being sidetracked by what the towns have to offer.

One of the farmers from Pentecost was found dead at Nambatu Lagoon while he was in Port Vila to sell his kava in order to get his wife to deliver their first child.

After Vanuatu’s Independence in 1980, the only people drinking kava in Port Vila at that time were from Pentecost and Tanna, until the commercialization of the product by late Logwah.

Currently kava is planted on the other islands like Efate and consumed on all islands of Vanuatu.

Kava plays an important part in Vanuatu’s economy.

There are about 1,000 kava bars in Port Vila providing over 1,000 jobs.

Known scientifically as Piper Methysticum and also known as Vanuatu Green Gold, kava is one the main commodities of Vanuatu which is exported to New Caledonia, Fiji and United State as dried kava.

There are currently kava bars in New York.

Vanuatu's Intellectual Property Office is undertaking public consultation on a draft bill to protect the quality and cultural and commercial value of Vanuatu kava.

The office, which is part of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Tourism, is discussing a draft Geographical Indication (Kava) Bill with kava farmers in the leading kava producing islands of Santo, Ambae, Pentecost, Maewo and Malekula.

The draft bill which aims to protect kava consumers and the intellectual property rights of kava producers and operators should go before Parliament at the end of this year and if passed will become law.

The term 'geographical indication' refers to a sign or mark being placed on a product that shows the goods originate from a particular province, island or locality within Vanuatu.

The sign or mark would be applied to products where the specific quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods rely heavily on their geographical origin.

John Stephen Huri, the Intellectual Property Office's Senior Intellectual Property Officer, says the Geographical Indication Bill will eventually cover other Vanuatu products, such as handicrafts, but the Government wants to start with the protection of kava.

He says the law would protect and help to promote kava varieties that originate from specific areas in Vanuatu.

"For example, the Melomelo Kava species originates on Vanuatu's Ambae Island," Mr Huri said.

"You can plant it in Santo and sell it, but it will be classified as a mixed noble variety in the market, not as pure Melomelo kava.

"That's because under a Geographical Indication Law, only kava grown on Ambae could be called Melomelo kava."

"The law would mean only kava farmers from Ambae could sell Melomelo kava."

 Mr Huri says if the law is introduced in Vanuatu, buyers and sellers will be able to identify the origin or source of a kava variety.

 "It will also allow producers of kava species that are sought after by global markets to sell their particular kava species at higher, more competitive prices," he said.

'The law will protect the sale of kava species originating from a particular area to ensure only producers from that area can be involved in its marketing and sale."

The Intellectual Property Office says the Boroguru Kava species from Pentecost is a good example of a product that would be protected under the new law.

Boroguru Kava has become one of the world's top-selling kava species.

"Kava identified as Boroguru Kava must originate on Pentecost," Mr Huri said.

"We have been discussing with kava farmers on Santo, the importance of identifying kava as having been grown on Santo, so it can be branded and sold as Santo kava.

 "This new law will allow us to brand kava species, so consumers or importers will be able to identify that a product is, for example, Santo kava."

Jack Antfalo, the Vice Chairman of the South Santo Area Two Kava Farmers Association, says two kava varieties have been grown for centuries in their region -the Pala rasul and Chambir species.

Mr Antfalo supports the Government consultation with kava farmers on the draft bill.

 "I would also like this draft bill to assist with the control of prices of both green and dry kava products to ensure buyers don't mess with the farmers on kava prices," he said.

 In Vanuatu's existing Kava Act 2020, 12 noble varieties of Vanuatu kava are permitted to be sold in local and export markets.

More than 200 years ago, In 1804, a Russian ship dropped his anchor in Nuku Hiva , in the Marquises.
They were welcomed by one of the high Chief of the island, Keatonui, who was holding in his right hand a KAVA plant as a sign of peace and friendship.
Drawing by Herman Lorwenstern, 1804.

Kava being gathered ready for Toka ceremony 2020.

With Kava representing 80% of Vanuatu’s exportations to New Caledonia and the whole industry of Kava in Vanuatu producing and commercializing about 250 tons of kava a year, the need to offer the best insurances in terms of quality has become a public-health imperative for Caledonian authorities and a strategic commercial stake for Vanuatu’s Kava-exporters

The regional trade of kava-related products now approximating 6,000 tons a year, so the need to define internationally-recognized standards in terms of quality has become dire. Thanks to the help of France, Vanuatu has now been able to define and integrate into the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO its own regional standards

France and New Caledonia have jointly supported a project that resulted in the analysis of 1053 samples collected by Vanuatu’s Department of Biosecurity. At the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity, Dr Vincent  Lebot from VARTC has lead a practical research project entitled “Quality and Security of the Kava Industry”. The project has benefited from the Regional Cooperation Convention (RCC), a mechanism that allows France, New Caledonia and Vanuatu to jointly pursue cooperation projects of regional importance. Every year, the three parties commonly select projects which are being financed on a par by Paris and Nouméa. The next call for projects will be in March and will be publicized on the Facebook page and Internet site of the French embassy in Vanuatu

In order to make sure that only products of the highest quality are being exported to foreign markets, the project has allowed Vanuatu to test the chemical composition of all samples selected. The aim is detect levels of kavalactones -- which is basically the component that consumers enjoy – and flavokawains – which, on the contrary, is potentially dangerous for the health of consumers. A specific colour test has been developed with the aim of easily identifying Kavas that contain the highest amount of the undesired flavokawains

Throughout the project, DARD and VARTC have been able to train Vanuatu’s exporters and New Caledonia’s importers to the best agricultural and trade practices. Four members of the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards have also contributed to the development of the testing procedures and the results of the research have been made largely available to the main actors of the industry and internationally. Overall, the study has proven that most products are of a good quality. Room for improvement has been identified and the actors of the industry have been made aware of the areas where they need to concentrate in order to insure that only the best quality products are being exported abroad

Kava-Quality testing procedures at all the Food Quality Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD): The team has developed chemical testing procedures that are now considered to constitute the region

Kava samples that have been tested during the project: more than 80% of products exported to New Caledonia have proven to to be the highest standards.

Cook not only encountered Pacific cultures for the first time, but also assembled the first large-scale collections of Pacific objects to be brought back to Europe. He was killed in Hawaii in 1779. John Webber was the artist on Cook’s third voyage from 1776-1780. Cook was in the Friendly Isles from in May of 1777. The ships then went to Tongatapu, Tonga from June 10-July 10, 1777

Tongatapu (also known as Amsterdam) was the largest of the Tongan islands. Poulaho was the King of the Friendly Isles. He was one of two important men who assisted the British on Tonga. Paulaho came to visit the ships at Lifuka and accompanied Cook to Tongatpu, entertaining him and his men for the rest of their stay

In Hawkesworth’s account, a description of Paulaho is: “If weight of body could give weight in rank or power Poulahao was certainly the most eminent man in that respect we had seen, for though not very tall he was of monstrous size with fat which render’d him unwieldy and almost shapeless.” Cook, too, had called Poulaho ‘the most corperate plump fellow we had met with.’ An interesting local ceremony which Cook and his men witnessed was the drinking of kava at the village of Mu'a (Moa). Webber's drawing of this event is kept in the Dixson Library but is probably the second state of an earlier version described in Webber's Catalogue as 'King Pawlehow (Paulaho) drinking his Cava, and attended by the Principal Chiefs of the Island' (no. 15)

For the actual ceremony we must turn to Anderson, who describes the ceremony following the preparation of the kava: "They then began to distribute it in little cups made of a bit of plantane leaf tied at each end, but where the company is large & respectable as our present one was the person who distributes it calls out to know who the servants shall carry it to, and is commonly directed by one person belonging to the chief who gives the Kava." Accordingly, the man with the dish is the distributor of the kava, while another one sitting nearer to Paulaho in the middle of the circle, could be regarded a servant, holding a bowl in his hand. The fact that no other cup is seen indicates the Tongan custom of offering the first cup to the king himself

Polynesian Islands 1900's.

Early 1900’  kava session... 

The Kava Tradition of how people sit around the Kava Tanua (Bowl) during the preparation process and after the process when it is to be served to its consumers. 

It's a very unique way of showing gratitude and great respect to the Tradition of Kava.  

The mixing crew.

Nowadays, the Kava drink is still prepared in the traditional process in some Pacific islands (Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu).

In some islands, Kava consumption is subject to a real ceremony. The Kava is performed for special occasions: birth, wedding, birthday, political celebrations.The members of ceremony gather in a silent and very dark place. The ceremony is usually led by a master of ceremonies at a person of distinction. First, the kava is prepared by chewing.

Once the mixture is ready, the Kava is shared between the guests in a coconut container. The host gives out the Kava in order of importance. The Kava distribution enables to develop new social contacts between people.

Polynesians drink Kava as North American Indians smoke a peace pipe. It is a symbol of establishing or renewing social/political ties.  In addition, the Kava has been known to aide Polynesian shamans to get into a trance and commune with their gods and ancestors. Traditionally, women are still banned from the Kava ceremony.

"Ava Ceremony"

"Ava Ceremony protocol's"

"Ava Ceremony"

Yaqona Vakaturaga - the Chiefly “Kava” Ceremony

Silence

Drinking Kava

This string is called the “Sau”

When the Sau is rolled out, it signifies that the commencement of the ceremony and when rolled back, it marks the end of the kava ceremony. The honored guest is seated directly in front of the Sau

Kava is served in a coconut shell called “Bilo” carried around by the cup/bilo bearer the “Tu Yaqona”. When presented, the recipient drinker must clap his/her hands three times, take the bilo and drink the Kava until empty in one gulp. The tu yaqona will proclaim “maca” (pronounced- mother) to signal the emptying of the bilo

Everybody will clap their hands. Kava is usually served in pairs, the first cup is for the chief quest, the second is drunk by his/her “Matanivanua” (Herald) on behalf of the people. The herald is known in some Pacific cultures as the “talking chief”. The matanivanua decides the strength of the kava mix and the number of people to drink.

Gerol from Waterfall Nakamal will walk with style with his new kava-world t-shirt.

While serving customers at the Waterfall Nakamal he will look fashionable with his new look...

What a way to show your passion for what you do with in your working environment and what better way but to put on a kava-world t-shirt.. ;)

#kavaikik
#KavaBlongYumi

So good to see our local kava farms flourish.

Some pictures from the traditional Kava gardens from the middle bush of Espiritu Santo - Vanuatu, from which, we wish you an excellent year 2021! 
Stay relax & be happy even if it might have been hard recently wherever you are.

Our local farmers are working hard for are better future and we are proud of all their commitments & efforts. Keeping our kava culture stronger each year as we grow into bigger kava markets around the world.

The traditional brew, made from the kava plant and central to so many of the Pacific’s social interactions, is in vanishingly short supply, an unlikely, unhappy, corollary of Covid shutdowns

And the shortage is harming businesses across the region

Kava – usually brackish, bitter and mildly euphoric – is made by crushing the roots and rhizome of the kava plant, and mixing the powder with water

It is drunk, as Faonetapu Takiari, president of Pasifika community group the United Nesian Movement, told the Guardian, whenever Pasifika gather

“Kava is present at nearly every Pasifika occasion from formal ceremonies to social gatherings and used as a medium to share our culture, carry out traditions and promote social cohesion through talanoa [conversation]”

In Pacific island nations with little Covid spread, but strict lockdowns and curfews, the traditional late-night sessions have been dramatically curtailed. In Fiji, where the drink is known as yaqona, there was even a temporary ban on sharing the bilo, the communal cup from which the kava is traditionally supped

Meanwhile, in Australia, supplies run ever lower. The powder made from the plant usually costs around $50 a kilogram, but, in the quiet conversations around Australia, the prices mentioned now are up to 10 times that

It is legal to bring kava into Australia, but only when personally carried on a plane or ship, and strictly limited to four kilograms per adult per trip. With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting down almost all travel across the Pacific, the kava supply has rapidly dried up

And while carrying kava into Australia is legal, posting the plant or powder into the country is not, regarded by the Australian Border Force as an illegal importation

That hasn’t stopped people trying

Australian Border Force port operations commander Leo Lahey said officers at international mail centres had seen attempts to mail kava into the country increase more than 30-fold

In January and February, just 67kg of kava was intercepted, Lahey said. “In July and August there’s been 739 detections weighing a total of 2.2 tonnes. So the increase is quite extraordinary.” It might never have come to this. In early 2019, just days after visits to Vanuatu and Fiji where the issue of kava – if not a bilo or two of it – was raised with Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, his government made two announcements: that the personal limit of kava importation would be doubled from two kilograms to four, and that it would hold a trial of commercial importation of kava during 2020

Morrison stressed the move was recognition of the centrality of kava to many Pacific cultures. But nearly two years on, a kava impasse is proving a thorn in the side of relations between the Pacific and Australia

First, the trial of commercial importation was quietly “deferred” on the basis that, because of Covid-19, health authorities did not have sufficient capacity to undertake the necessary consultations and monitoring

This has not been well received with kava producers and exporters in Pacific island countries who have been waiting years to access what should be one of their largest and most accessible markets

Joseph Brun, owner of Brun’s Export in Vanuatu, said he had forestalled plans to plant a further 100 hectares of kava given the uncertainty of Australia’s position

“It had created a positive impact to our business and a good outlook on Australia, we saw it as a potential to move from it into commercial importation.” The second issue has been that resolutely closed borders across the Pacific have meant that the movement of kava between the island nations and Australia by way of the personal allowance has almost entirely dried up

Cue shortages, and skyrocketing prices for what little kava is available

Brun told the Guardian he gets about five requests a week from people in Australia who want him to mail them kava. And with his exports down 70% thanks to Covid, opening up a “kava bubble” with Australia would be a welcome fillip to his business

In Australia, Takiari said he “absolutely” believed people already in the country who want to use kava should be able to have their personal allowance mailed to them

“The pros of allowing kava into Australia … will benefit both Pacific communities and Australia as a whole, as kava use traditionally promotes positive social cohesion and cultural integration.” The Guardian approached the Australian government for comment, but did not receive a response by publication

Director of Alliance Francaise de Port Vila George Cumbo said that he wanted to place kava on the pedestal it deserved by portraying it in different ways

“Because I was thinking is in the middle of everything in Vanuatu and there is no exhibition or move so it is a way for us to use it as art, photo painting and we try to mix with the people who are trying to sell kava.” “It’s a way to celebrate kava and also to recognize that kava use to belong to custom only but and now it’s like wine for friends.” Mr. Cumbo mentioned that there is a lot to see and the public is welcome to purchase what’s available or simply admire what is on display

“If you see outside the building there is a tree poem about kava one is a French poet and another is a song by local musician titled ‘Kava you ready’ and the last is a poem about kava by Paul Taro, called ‘the Soul of Kava’”, he said

The celebration of Kava in Port Vila couldn’t have come at a better time since the decision was made by the Codex Alimentarius to declare kava as a food last month which Mr. Cumbo was made aware of by Kava specialist Dr. Vincent Lebot

“In fact, last week we had a conference about Kava done by Vincent Lebot and he explained the new category.” Dr. Lebot touched on the decision by the food authority and what it would mean for farmers in the country, stating that a sense of security for kava international demand and an opportunity for local farmers was borne out of the decision

“This is really good for farmers in Vanuatu because it is going to open new markets and secure present markets regionally as high quality non-alcoholic beverage but also consumers in New Caledonia and now we have an extended market in the US as well.” The kava doc further stated that if Vanuatu plays it cards right, kava could be a conducive commercial product with numerous uses

“This is really good news for farmers but also the private sector who can now promote kava just like coffee or tea, if the private sector leads the industry wisely they could develop new products for the expanding market and therefore this could be a big contribution to the local industry.” While kava farmers look pass the closed borders for revenue opportunities, meanwhile within the borders and on the last day of the celebration of kava, the brown gold will be served at Alliance Francaise to mark the end of exhibition on the day

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The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the supreme body that sets food standards globally has approved a standard for kava when mixed with water.

This has been confirmed by Timothy Tumukon, the Regional Coordinator for the Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific (CCNASWP).

It means countries under NASWP such as USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and 10 Pacific Island states including Vanuatu can now trade kava products amongst themselves as a food and beverage.

Kava has long been widely considered as a drug.

The approval of the first ever regional standard is a “a proud moment” for the 14-member countries of NASWP, said Tumukon.

“The other regions have developed standards but we have never done so before,” he said.

“We took so long to convince other member countries, especially the metropolitan members being USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand because for so long kava was considered as a drug.

“We had to research and find data to verify there is potential to consider kava as a beverage when mixed with water.

“In 2016, the committee requested that we develope a standard which was accepted in 2019 before we push it into the Codex Alimentarius.”

He acknowledged all member countries for lending their support and expertise, the scientists and everyone else who provided scientific information along the journey in getting the standard adopted by the commission.

Vanuatu has been taking the leading role in developing the regional standard since 2012 and successfully getting it approved just last week.

Mr Tumukon has been representing Vanuatu at the Regional CCNASWP since 2012.

Vanuatu’s term as the regional coordinator has now ended.

Fiji has been nominated to take up the role starting soon this month.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Vanuatu kava market immensely

Many Vanuatu kava exporters have faced with a lot of challenges in exporting dry kava to overseas market due to the closure of international boarders and high export air freight rate which affects the quantity of export

Currently kava farmers and exporters have identified issues and are adopting with the situation such as Air Vanuatu regular flights to New Caledonia and Fiji Airways flights to United States via Fiji

“Sea freight was more popular for kava export as the freight is much cheaper than air freight,” said Michael Louze, a kava exporter and the chairman of Vanuatu Kava Industry Working Group

Mr Louze stated that “The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the growth of Vanuatu kava export market internationally

“The Vanuatu kava industry is gradually addressing the impact of COVID-19 on Vanuatu kava export and one of the main issues is to develop more markets

“Before Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam in 2015, there was shortage of kava supplies which triggered the high price of kava and after TC Pam, many kava plantations throughout the country were destroyed

“Many kava farmers throughout Vanuatu have increase kava production since then because of the high price of domestic and international markets

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through its National Kava Replanting Programme and kava exporters have done a lot awareness to encourage kava farmers to increase production of noble kava varieties to meet market demands

Kava exporter, Louze added that “Vanuatu kava production is currently very high but given the disasters that Vanuatu is faced with, market growth does not match the increasing production

“Our priority now is to focus on market development taking into account the various aspects of it, including quantity demand and have bilateral discussions with potential markets to ensure the price of kava remains high and to maintain the markets

“The price of dried kava fluctuates between VT2,000 to VT 3,000 per kilo depending on the quality of kava

“Many kava exporters have ceased temporarily to purchase kava because of the high stock of kava

“Having been in the kava industry for a very long time, I recall in 2002, when dried kava was sold at VT150 to VT200 per kilo. So within 18 years, we have achieved a huge increase in price

“Many farmers through- out Vanuatu have benefited a lot from this commodity that it empowers farmers to continue increase production

“When we have increased markets, this implies that there is increased demand. Consequently, we have good price but if we have limited markets, the price will remain low

“Potential market for Vanuatu kava is huge globally

“In the future if we are not careful, other countries who do not usually grow kava will start planting kava like the Solomon Islands

“We need to ensure that Vanuatu produced kava is branded locally and continues to maintain its top quality

“Ensuring top quality is the responsibility of processors and exporters to make sure all facilities are of high standard

“If we want our market to grow and Vanuatu’s name to become well- known, we need to supply top quality kava

“Branding is very important as competition will be high since other countries have started producing more kava as well. So we need to promote Vanuatu original kava and maintain the quality standard as exporter of top quality kava

“Kava is Vanuatu’s green gold, a commodity whereby local farmers earn a lot of income from

“Farmers are encouraged to target good quality product to maintain market,” he concluded

ndigenous kava farmer and a Member of Parliament (MP) of the biggest island in the country, Samson Samsen says he is focused on tabling a private member’s bill in Parliament on kava farming and sales to be restricted to ni Vanuatu farmers.

He says kava farming along with cocoa and other local crops which traditionally are the income making crops for local farmers, must be included on the “Reserve List” for ni Vanuatu farmers.

MP Samsen says this is in no way an attempt to discourage foreign investors to invest in the country and create job opportunities for young people. “Kava grows naturally on custom land and every ni Vanuatu has land and does not need to buy it to plant his kava”, he explains.

Investors with pockets of money can concentrate on other investment opportunities which require the injection of millions to get their business running such as manufacturing.

“Traditional cash crops including kava belong to local ni Vanuatu farmers because it is theirs since creation. Kava originated in Vanuatu so let ni Vanuatu farmers with no budget for investment to concentrate on farming it”.

He says when investors especially foreign ones with deep pockets are allowed to buy land and employ local planters to plant their kava for them, they automatically take away the market from hard working ni Vanuatu farmers.

While MP Samsen accepts that business is competition, he maintains that not only is it not fair but also taking away the only traditional hold on kava farming by foreign investors.

Touching on the uncertain return to normalcy following COVID-19, the MP says his people on Santo as well as throughout the country continue to earn an income through their kava.

As such he wants to see the prices of all commodities on the “Reserve List” standardized for the benefit of ordinary people who have no other means of income. “In this way both Central and Provincial Governments can all benefit from the outcome and even the Reserve Bank through foreign exchange”, he insists.

Since kava is farmed throughout the country, MP Samsen believes stimulus package paid to kava farmers can uphold the economy of the country in the long run.

Regarding kava prices of dry and green kava, the MP says the law has to dictate the prices for dry kava as well as green kava so that kava exporters do not make their own offer on how much to buy kava at.

He compares Vanuatu’s situation with the Philippines regarding their copra saying no foreigner is allowed to export their copra. “I see no reason why we cannot do the same with our kava”, he says.

“What the law needs to stipulate is who is qualified to deal in kava, if you are not qualified then you cannot be involved in kava”.

To speed up the process, he says the key remains with the Constitution and the need to amend it. Only then can the country enjoy those privileges which are currently enjoyed by other people because there are no laws to protect indigenous rights to commodities on the Reserve List.

The MP’s concern is also supported by another ni Vanuatu kava farmer, Jeannut Sese, a well-known Rasta haired Ambaean who used to be the Second Secretary to the State Office for well over ten years.

He is farming kava both on Santo and Ambae and he says kava has to be legally identified as “strictly belonging to ni Vanuatu and ni Vanuatu farmers to farm and export”.

He says currently there are people who capitalise on the absence of relevant laws to make their millions from an indigenous cash crops which does not belong to them.

A well-known local builder and constructor, Aku Dinh, has turned himself into a major kava grower with a vision to take the Vanuatu kava industry to another level now and in the years ahead.

This was evident when three state ministers paid a visit to his kava plantations in the Rangorango hill slopes and valleys on Efate on Wednesday this week.

Finance Minister Johnny Koanapo, Agriculture Minister Willie Daniel, and Trade, Cooperative and Tourism Minister James Bule, accompanied also by Infrastructure Minister Jay Ngwele, had the full glimpse of the Aku Dinh kava visional plantations, now a reality.

Mr. Dinh’s kava plantations appear on slopes and hill sides as well as in the valleys of the Rangorango region above the international Bauerfield airport.

The well-managed kava plantations further prove Vanuatu stance on intercropping with kumala, island taro, and island cabbage which is a focus of self-economic reliance.

In his remarks before the start of the tour of the kava plantations, Finance Minister Koanapo, said the Government of the day is committed to the Agriculture Developments in the country. He reiterated that the Government of the day places high priority on Agriculture hence the productive sector including kava products. He went on to add that the three ministers of agriculture, industry, cooperative, tourism and industry work hand in hand to ensure Agriculture Sector of Vanuatu Economy is fully developed and advanced into the future.

“It is the policy of the present government to ensure that every local farmer in the country are assisted towards moving from subsistence farming to becoming commercial famers. The present Government is here to help take the local famers to another level in Agriculture, and the minister of trade, cooperative and tourism is here to ensure local demand is satisfied and export of the kava product and all agricultural products have overseas market at acceptable times. The ministry of finance and the Vanuatu government is to ensure funding is available,” Finance Minister Johnny Koanapo, assures the local investor and every local agricultural farmers and investors.

“Vanuatu must look within to the local famers and investors and provide every assistance to them,” he added.

He also added that the present government is committed to recognize the local investors such as Dinh who have put in resources he has into developing such a huge kava farm as this for internal and overseas market.

“The present government is also committed to promote local investors and famers before looking beyond Vanuatu for foreign investors, particularly in the Agricultural sectors,” minister Koanapo added.

Mr. Dinh revealed to the ministerial delegation that he turned to agriculture, hence kava because he strongly believes that “Life and Money” is in agriculture.

“Everyone knows that I am a builder and constructor almost all my life, but then i saw the importance of turning to land, with a pair of hands to till the land because “life and money” is in agriculture.

“But I also want to emphasis that many people have always taken me wrong that am not local, when in fact I am local.

“I was born here and so my parents and i have lived here all my life. I am pleased to see you all ministers here today and wish to emphasis that it is important to recognize we the Vanuatu local farmers and investors. It is time for the government to give preference of assistance to the local investors and farmers and oppose to the foreign investors, particularly in the agricultural economic sector,” Mr. Dinh requested.

During the tour of the kava plantations, pausing from farm to farm and explaining different planting stages of the kava plants, Mr. Dinh, pointed out the month each plantation was planted, how long it would take to maturity and readiness for harvesting for local market and overseas market, mainly to Noumea New Caledonia importers.

On the question of the total money value of all current kava plantations, Mr. Dinh replied to the Daily Post question: “I cannot detail that out now but later as we get close to harvest and market time, I will tell you,” he replied with a smile.

Dinh eyes future possibility of establishing a kava factory that will produce pharmaceutical products or medicines.

At the end of the plantations tour, ministers of Agriculture and Trade and Cooperatives and Tourism gave their remarks.

Minister of Agriculture Willie Daniel, said the ministry he is responsible for is fully committed to the present government policy initiatives on the development of agriculture as a “Priority Economic Sector” for Vanuatu. “The ministry is working hand in and with the ministry of trade, cooperative and tourism to realize the country’s goals on Agriculture sector hence kava project. The project and plantations we see today is the classic example of the government policy on the sector to raise farmers from subsistence to commercial farmers, it is the government of the day policy to ensure every farmer is given all assistance available to turn land into farms, in kava and all other agricultural sectors. That is why these three of us, with the ministers of trade and finance link together to ensure we fully implement the government policies on agriculture where lies the life and money for our people. We are at the juncture where we must meet the market demand both local, regional and beyond,” minister Daniel stressed.

He assured Mr. Dinh that the government will provide the assistance required to him and all local kava investors and farmers throughout Vanuatu.

Minister of Trade, Cooperatives and Tourism Mr. James Bule, said on his part, his ministry and officials under his ministry will ensure that the government of the day policies on trade and export of the kava and all other products are met. He said it is high time the country of Vanuatu give priority to this sector in order to arrive at a point time where Vanuatu’s own agricultural products will increase and the country become less depend on imported agricultural goods. He urged the farmers such as Mr. Dinh to turn to commercial farming in all sectors of Agriculture.

The Minister of Finance call on all heads of departments and sections under all the government ministries to take note of what they have seen on the visit, prepare to implement the present government policy directions and do not hold up such policies.

Mr. Dinh said he is prepared to work with government agencies in terms of providing technical and other advices to local farmers and investors and as well as supplying kava branches to local farmers anywhere in the country, as the demand comes along: “I am here to help and we must all work together to realize all our dreams to make Vanuatu an economic self-reliant nation,” says Mr. Dinh.

The Australian Department of Health further advised that temporary measures to allow for the import of kava for personal use by mail is not possible as legislative changes and significant consultation with states and territories would be required.  Kava Bazaar is very disappointed by this delay and will continue to support kava farmers, manufacturers and associated businesses to prepare for phase 2 of the kava pilot program, now set to commence in 2021. We are also looking for ways to continue import of kava for personal use during times of restricted travel

Let’s bring kava to Australia

Peace and love to all

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The head of Vanuatu's Kava Industry Association says Pacific island countries are being "deceived", as Australia looks set to delay a promised trial to import commercial amounts of kava.

The Australian Government - as part of its 'Pacific Step-up' - had announced a pilot program last year that would allow kava producers from across the region to sell their product in Australia.

But Pacific Beat has received confirmation from Australia's Department of Health that the pilot program is "likely" to be postponed to 2021, because of COVID-19.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) spokesperson said the Australian Government response to COVID-19 is a priority for the Department of Health.

"However, development work on the kava commercial importation pilot is continuing, taking into consideration that full implementation and further targeted consultation is unlikely to occur until travel restrictions are fully lifted," they said.

The spokesperson added that this meant that the pilot is unlikely to commence until 2021.

Michael Louze, an exporter and chair of the Vanuatu Kava Industry Association says its disappointing and Pacific leaders should "react strongly" to the delay.

Interview by Kelvin Anthony

Tingting gud long smol bis graon we yu kat long community or area blong yu.
Sapos yu planem wan gudfala sid tedei, bae yu save kat wan bigfala harvest long end blong dei wetem smile long fes blong yu.
Graon ikat value blong hem istap oltaem mo yumi mas usum long wan wei we bambae i benefitim yumi long future.

TINGTING GUD LONG GRAON BLONG YU.

Photo: planting of kava in a community of efate at mele villiage.

There was a lot of kava coming into Port Vila on the 18th Of May 2020.

This was all after the TC Harold that hit Vanuatu recently.

The kava was mostly from the Island of Pentecost, A few from Ambae. And also it was the second time for Silent World Shipping Company to see Kava coming from the Epi Island Farmers.

Total bags arrived on that day was up to 238 (Green Kava).

PIERRE FARE IS A YOUNG FARMER from North West B area on malekula who decided to invest on kava production since 2015. We caught up with farmer Fare this week at the lakatoro Market House (LMH) where he was selling his kava.

“Today, I came with 30 kilos of kava and will be selling at 700VT per kilo. I will go home today with 21,000VT because it is an order from my client,” farmer Fare said.

Fare stated that kava, as one of the main source of income for many people on Malekula, was also partly affected by TC Harold including his 3 hectares of kava and so he planned to sell them weekly at LMH.

“Five years ago, I observed many farmers from my community growing kava which earned them huge amount of money so this has inspired me as a young person to start planting kava and here I am today, already benefiting from the kava I have grown. “Kava is the main income generating product in my village, not other products such as coconut and cocoa. I have noticed that a lot of farmer earn good income from kava .” said farmer Fare.

As a young energetic farmer, Fare, said he will continue to grow kava to ensure a high quantity for future income. “I would like to appeal to young people who have huge land to make good use of it. “If you invest on your land, you will reap a good harvest and will not depending on your parents to give you money but survive on your own and have a good future.” He concluded.

Prime Minister, Bob Loughman has stopped all the other islands that were not affected by the cyclone not to send  Kava to Port Vila.  But the islands that were affected can send Kava to Port Vila/Efate to be sold

And the Minister of Climate Change, Bruno Leingkone, Has assured all the people or farmers of Pentecost that they can put their Kava inot any Cargo Ships to be dropped in Port Vila with free of charge.  FOR BISLAMA READERS: Kavman hemi allowem ol afek aelan nomo blong salem kava long maket naoia long Port Vila

Prime Minista, Bob Loughman i stoppem ol aelan weh oli no been affected long TC Harold blong no sendem kava i kam,  beh ol aelan nomo weh oli affected bambae oli save sendem kava i kam long Efate blong salem

Mo Minista blong Climate Change, Bruno Leingkone, hemi assurum ol pipol blong Penticost blong bambae oli save putum ol kava blong olgeta fri,  long any ship weh i ko dropem ol kakae long aelan ia.

Vanuatu Kava can now be exported overseas again.

This came about after the National Disaster Management Office responded positively to the call made by the Vanuatu Kava Industry Association (VKIA).

But with the extensive damage on kava by cyclone Harold, it was primordial that export can start again, to ensure damaged kava can also be exported instead of rotting in gardens.

“We are really pleased the NDMO has given us the authorisation that we can resume exportation because it will also help us to meet expenses to farmers who needed us now because of the damaged kava from cyclone Harold,” he said.

“We have a first shipment since the first state of emergency ends and this shipment was for our market in US; unfortunately, it had to be shipped as borders were still closed and export by plane was not an option but we are very happy that the kava can be exported again and everyone is happy.”

Around 15 tonnes of kava had been stocked in Vila ready for exportation but it was not possible for the stock to be shipped out because the SoE was in place and other COVID-19 restrictions.

According to the chairman of VKIA, the next shipment will be for the Noumea market but this will depend if the nakamals reopen on the 5th of May.

Many farmers in the islands affected by cyclone Harold have started work on the damage kava recently; they were mobilised in helping their families and relatives to build back homes destroyed by the cyclone and help in the relief supplies in each community affected.

My Taem! which means kava time.

New swing chairs @ Waterfall! See you soon for a shell or two

In the heart of Port Vila a Kava Bar opened its windows last year exactly 6 months ago . Boasting a modest 7 kava windows of many Vanuatu Noble kava varieties and a beer window, this is where everyone heads to watch the sunset on the Port Vila harbor over a shell of kava & local beers, 2pm to 10.30pm everyday. Take your friends, families and colleagues to a relaxing atmosphere where the last remnants of a forest coexist on the top of the waterfall that splashed onto the floor of Lini Highway traffic. It is a landmark not to be missed when you are in town.

Beautiful locally made kava shells from Tamanu tree on sale @ Waterfall Kava Bar just 600vt. Support local environmentally friendly products!

Chairman of the Kava Industry Association, Michael Louze, has asked the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to allow the exportation of 15 tonnes of kava stocked in Port Vila so the exporters can continue to pay for kava from farmers who are now victims of the damage caused by cyclone Harold.

The 15 tonnes of kava are destined for the New Caledonia and US markets.

In a letter addressed to the director of NDMO, Mr Louze said kava is Vanuatu’s main commodity and every month, kava transactions by the exporters ensure around Vt100 million reach the rural kava farmers.

“With the COVID-19 crisis, most of our overseas markets have slowed down, as people are confined, public places like kava bars are closed however there is still a demand,” he explained.

“Exporters have slowed down their purchases but are still operating and preparing stock for shipments.

“With Cyclone Harold, communities now need our support more than ever before to purchase the damaged kava. The private sector can play a very important role in this but the exporters also need support.”

According to Mr Louze, the problem is that if those shipments are not exported, it is very likely that most exporters will slow or even stop their purchase and some of them will simply stop sending money to the islands.

“With around 15 tonnes of kava to be exported, we are talking around Vt65 to 75 million coming into Vanuatu’s economy. This will enable us to continue to purchase the kava from farmers who now have lots of damage kava caused by cyclone Harold,” he added.

“We all understand the COVID-19 issues, but let us try our best to address the area of concern that may arise and we would kindly like to request NDMO to consider urgently the organization of airfreight and flights to enable the export of our commodities to help maintain a bit the economical activity in Vanuatu and bring much needed foreign currency into the country.”

Mr Louze said with category 5 Harold having passed and causing extensive damages (yet to be assessed) in SANMA, MALAMPA AND PENAMA, things have now changed and sadly not for the best.

Chinese national selling green kava

By Godwin Ligo Feb 29, 2020

A Ni-Vanuatu local kava businessman has voiced grave concerns over a Chinese national allegedly selling green kava in Port Vila.

The local businessman questions whether the Chinese national does have a licence to sell green kava product, in and around Port Vila town.

Mr. Theodore David from Aneityum who operates green kava outlet at Anabouru, in Port Vila, alleged that the Chinese national, is driving around in a vehicle, and selling green kava products, to owners of kava bars in Port Vila and as well as, to any interested kava buyers.

“The Chinese national is driving around in his vehicle with large quantity of green kava and sells to local kava bar operators at Vt1,000 per kilo. I have personally questioned him, if he does have a business license to sell kava, but he refused answer me,” Mr. Theodore David, stated. Mr. David said he is suspicious of the way the Chinese national goes around selling green kava products in and around Port Vila, as to whether or not he has a local business license to sell Vanuatu green kava products.

“I doubt very much that the Chinese national has a license in the way he goes around selling green kava products, which I take it come from outer islands of Vanuatu,” Mr. David alleged.

He said he would question the local authority as to why grant a Chinese national a license to purchase and sell green kava product when this should be reserved for Ni-Vanuatu citizens only.

“On Tuesday Thursday afternoon (last week) at around 4.00 pm, the same Chinese was seen driving around and soliciting to sell green kava roots to kava bar owners and individuals around the Anabouru areas, “Mr. Theodore David, alleged.

Commenting on the issue, the Manager of the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) Mr. Raymond Vuti, referred the Daily Post to Vanuatu Kava Act No.7 of 2002, Part 2 Section 5 on ‘Who can sell kava product on the local market’ which states: “A person must not sell or offer kava product unless the person is (a) an indigenous ni-Vanuatu or (b) a local company within the meaning of the Companies Act (CAP 191) that has at least 51% of the shares (voting or otherwise) owned or controlled by persons who are indigenous ni-Vanuatu”.

Mr. Vuti said the concern of the ni-Vanuatu will be verified against the current Kava Act No. 7 of 2002, before further comments can be made.

Source: https://dailypost.vu/news/chinese-national-selling-green-kava/article_f0449d22-5a74-11ea-9a26-a74b58f18104.html

Kava is rapidly becoming a significant cash crop in the Pacific. It offers a unique road to development for the region, as it is a high-value, durable commodity which is currently exclusively produced in the Pacific.

Almost every other commodity which the Pacific produces are produced on a global scale, with the Pacific having little to no impact on the global supply and demand. The glaring exception to this is kava, whereby the Pacific dominates the industry.

In Vanuatu, known as the ‘home of kava’, the level of exports soared in late 2017. In 2018, kava was 52% of merchandise exports.

This is at record levels, and well over double the long-term equilibrium. To note Tropical Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in March 2015, devastating many kava farms across the country.

However, it can only be suggested that the focused kava activities such as the kava campaigns and replanting programmes and other promotional events that were executed in the past few years appeared to have some positive input to the progress as expressed in the kava export data.

One of the activities was the second kava forum held in Luganville, Santo, on September 24, 2019 purposely to bring farmers and stakeholders together to discuss issues surrounding the kava industry and also provide recommendations and resolutions that will bring way forward for the development of kava into the future.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (DARD) Kava Officer, Peter Kwari said, “The main purpose of the National Kava Replanting Programme launched in 2015 is to first promote the replanting of the ‘noble’ kava varieties and secondly to strengthen and develop the capacity of lead-farmers and extension officers in kava production (quality/quantity) to implement, enforce and ensure compliance with the provisions of the new Kava Act which was passed and gazetted at the parliament to regulate kava quality and ensure that only ‘noble’ kava varieties are traded on the domestic and international market as stipulated in the Kava Act.

“The overall objective is to implement and enforce the Kava Act (Kava Act no. 6 of 2016) and promote the production of noble kava varieties.

“The National target is to plant 1 million kava seedlings by 2025 and to become the leading producer of good quality kava in the Pacific and the world and to enforce the ban of trading “Tu dei” kava in the domestic and export markets.”

Over 20,000 households in Vanuatu are expected to benefit from this programme since over 75% of the population live in the rural areas, and these households depend entirely on kava to generate income.

It also benefits local market vendors, mainly in Port Vila, Santo and the sub-urban areas to improve quality and increase the volume of kava sold locally and internationally.

Furthermore, this also certainly reduces health risks in consumption of tu-dei kava.

Six distributions of planting materials and launching on Efate, Maewo, Pentecost, Santo, Malekula, and Tanna has brought together farmers purposely to disseminate information and as well as distribute free kava branches and polybags.

Extension officers were appointed by the Director of Agriculture as compliance officer and trained to effectively carry out their roles as indicated on the Act throughout the high production areas mentioned above.

As part of the awareness, the field workers also identified and collected noble variety cuttings and established multiplication plots at various agriculture stations purposely to distribute planting materials to interested farmers.

Kava Officer, Kwari stated, “The programme outcome has seen a great control on the national capacity for kava quality control, increased production, marketing of noble kava and increased contribution to the country’s GDP.

“Over 20,000 households around Vanuatu now benefit from this program after TC Pam.

“The 2019 Kava Replanting Programme indicates that 5,600 kava cuttings were distributed to farmers in Penama province, Sanma province with 35,640 cuttings, Malampa province 27,839 seedlings, Shefa province 107,732 seedlings and Tafea province with 3,214 cuttings.

“A total of 135,571 kava seedlings and 44,454 cuttings were distributed in 2019.

“Kava is a key commodity crop for Vanuatu, with high demand both domestically and internationally.

“To increase production of this key crop, the DARD is supporting the planting of a million kava seedlings by 2020.

“These seedlings must be of the noble varieties following the Kava Act which states that only nobel varieties can be produced and sold for export.

“To realise this ambitious objective DARD has created partnerships with reliable producers of kava seedlings to meet the high number of seedlings required to distribute to farmers across the country,” the officer responsible for kava said.

DARD under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB) has initiated the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme involving the private sector to participate in the agriculture sector especially in some priority cash crops. Kava is one of the priority crops that show high economic impact in the lives of Vanuatu people.

DARD has signed three contracts in 2019. The first contract was signed with the Cloud Kava Company to supply 17,647 kava seedlings to DARD at VT170 per seedling and sold to farmers at a price range from VT 50 to VT150 per seedling.

The second agreement was signed with Erro Timber and Sandalwood Company to assist farmers on Erromango with 2,904 kava cuttings, and the other contract was signed with Beleru farm to supply farmers around Santo and Malo with 35,640 kava cuttings.

Mr Kwari concluded, “Some of the key challenges encountered during the implementation of the Kava Replanting Programme were financial constraints, shortage of poly bags from suppliers, kava dieback disease, high demand of interested farmers and high cost of cuttings.

“The way forward would be ensuring finance is available on time, farmers must increase production to reduce the cost or price of kava in the domestic market, assistance needed to support kava replanting programme in particular nursery establishment, training, logistics and data collection, continuation of distribution of planting materials to reduce the cost of cuttings, continue with the PPP Policy — engaging the private sectors in the kava replanting program, and extension officers to acquire more training to familiarise themselves with the nobel kava varieties specified in the Kava Act.

Also to continue to assists and encourage Provincial Agriculture Officers (PAO) to establish kava collection plots at their station, visit farms and major kava producing islands in Vanuatu, trial out different cropping systems with kava, and train Assistant Agriculture Officers to know how to identify kava dieback disease symptoms.

Kava has not always been consumed out Of a dish.. Some islands were and still are - traditionally preparing cups individually directly straining the kava juice in a shell, like when kava is chewed (Tanna Island) or stone ground ( Maewo, North Pentecost, Banks). In some other places, kava was prepared in wooden dishes or stone dish and Chief would knee down and drink directly from the dish....

Tanoa are coming mainly from the Far eastern islands of Lau Group ( Kambara) and are carved out in Vesi wood. ( Intsia bijuga) ( natora or kohu). They can be preserved for many years provided that they are given some basic care and attention:

Since wood is a porous material, changes in humidity and temperature levels will cause it to expand or cracks...so Store it properly away from extrem temperatures and humidity, avoid direct sunlight and fireplace or other heat source...

Also prior to using it for the first time , the Tanoa should be immersed in water for a week and then thoroughly dried. During immersion, water should be changed daily until it becomes clear. This will help to clean the Tanoa and help prevent the wood from cracking.

Enjoy your kava 😁

Sophie's nakamal is located in Port Vila, namba2 area.
It is a cool place, famous for serving kava at any time.
And all day long, dogs are having shells :)

Sunset in Nouméa.
Sunset in Nouméa.
Philippe AMIOT / Flickr
ROOTS

By Gilles Renault, Special Envoy in New Caledonia - Google translation of article in the link below

https://www.liberation.fr/amphtml/voyages/2015/01/16/nouvelle-caledonieles-bienfaits-de-la-pause-kava_1182253

January 16, 2015 at 17:06 (updated on January 20, 2015 at 09:21)

In the evening, from north to south of Grande Terre, Kanaks, Caldoches, subways and Wallisians gather in small huts, the nakamals, to share a bitter decoction with relaxing properties.

The district of Nouville, Nouméa, offers a toporama such that one could spend a lifetime without leaving. Pell-mêle, we find on the peninsula a high school, the university and its campus, port facilities, the remains of the old prison, the current penitentiary center, a theater, a psychiatric hospital, the Senate customary … And the Edenic Sunset: in the late afternoon, nestled in the heart of lush vegetation - and framed by small slums - the spot guarantees a breathtaking view of the sunset that, after iridescent ocean , bows out into the distance. A dazzling almost daily in New Caledonia, worthy of the most caricatural clichés, except that the Sunset is not a place so common, since it is a nakamal.

A nakamal? Quèsaco? Imported from the Vanuatu archipelago, where its use, reserved for men, is based on ancestral beliefs highly codified, the nakamal is a community space dedicated to the consumption of a singular beverage: kava. Quèsaco (bis)? Not to be confused with coffee, despite a treacherous phonetic, it is a decoction that has properties diametrically opposite to those of the little black, since it consumes it to relax. In the end, this is a form of light-hearted light, locally tolerated, where other territories such as France, Great Britain or Switzerland forbid it (risk of liver damage, according to some controversial medical studies), while Australia is thinking about to do the same but this time by invoking issues of illegal trafficking.

Red Loupiote. Cruising New Caledonia on the kava trail does not prevent you from enjoying the thousand and one environmental treasures of this lush archipelago (palm trees, coconut palms, banyan trees, niaoulis … ad infinitum) surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world. world (1,600 kilometers). On the contrary, it is hard to imagine, for example, making the trip without knowing the intense experience of a picnic on the beach, embellished by the frequent reptilations of striped knits, these small marine snakes with deadly venom (their bite is equivalent to ten times that of the royal cobra), but, it seems, safe (or almost) for man: they are said to be insane and as peaceful as the ocean in which they are going to eat.

Credit: Gilles RENAULT

Less rich in strong sensations - the aim being precisely the opposite - the nakamal is nevertheless worth the detour for its incomparable ethnological virtues. It is the only context in which Kanaks (the Melanesians who make up the indigenous people), Caldoches (the white people settled there for several generations), metros (those who live there temporarily) and Wallisians rub shoulders, let alone all social barriers. abolished.

The Sunset, the Palm trees, the 21, the Stairs … there are more than a hundred nakamals in Noumea alone, and many others scattered throughout the bush. Places are usually not reported, except sometimes by a red wolf, lit when they are open. The setting itself is not glamorous: it will be a sort of straw hut, a cabin, even a garden furniture (plastic chairs, oilcloth) and decorated (tiki statuettes, posters). It opens at the end of the afternoon and closes … when the barrel is empty.

Kava comes from the root of a plant, the piper methysticum, which, in its traditional form, is chewed and then spit out on a banana leaf. Insiders, who tested it in Vanuatu, describe an ox effect. More "all public", the New Caledonian version is made from the powdered and conditioned rhizome. Served by the ladle for a small fee (80 cents of the standard amount), the elixir is drunk in a half-empty coconut (photo below). Soapy, bitter, earthy, the qualifiers used to describe the taste of kava are not great. Moreover, once the liquid is swallowed, we spit in a long sink, before rinsing the bowl and nibble anything (chips, piece of apple, candy) intended to fade the unpleasant sensation. But not to the point of supplanting the effects felt, which begin with an impression of anesthesia in the mouth, antechamber of what the exegetes call the "song of kava"

Credit: Gilles RENAULT

Vincent Vuibert is one of them. It is found in the north of Grande Terre, Koné. A few kilometers from the famous Heart of Voh - this clearing in the mangrove immortalized on the cover of the book of Yann Arthus-Bertrand the Earth seen from the sky. Jimmy is a nakamal lost at the end of a dirt track lined with arid fields, where pickup and 4 × 4 converge in the late afternoon to "raise some shells," according to the formula. Like a fish in the water in this Wild West setting, thirty-year-old Vincent Vuibert, author and prize-winner last year in Caledonia for his novel Weed Chronicles, details the iterative pleasure he gets from practicing: "The kava it is pleasant that unlike alcohol or cannabis, it disinhibits, relaxes and keeps a certain lucidity, all without creating addiction. He favors the meeting, the exchange, frees the spirit. In addition, it amplifies the pleasure of writing for me. "

"The soul of the country". "For who wants to meet people, it's really nakamal that is the soul of the country," says Gwen, 260 kilometers below, in Noumea, in an improbable bivouac plunged into the darkness of a wasteland in front an administrative building. Conquered since the underground beginnings of the late 80s, this employee of the public service co-hosts a webzine, the Cri du Cagou (1), which sings in particular the praises of this "unclassifiable place, guarantor of social life". At the end of October, the self-proclaimed "kava masta" (master of the kava), not without pride, initiated Imhotep, the sound architect of the group IAM. "And frankly, I think he liked it," he says with a smile.

(1) http://lecriducagou.org

Gilles Renault Special Envoy to New Caledonia

Reading time: 7 min

Translation: Google translate

Sylvie Nadin - November 7, 2019 at 10:14

The Pacific Island States want to make it an export product. While Europe forbids it, kava bars are becoming more numerous across the Atlantic.

A bowl of kava with lemon and mint served at the Brooklyn Kava Bar on January 18, 2018 in New York. | Don Emmert / AFP

Night falls on Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. A colorful light is hung on a tree and indicates the presence of a kava bar, also called nakamal. People gather there to share some bowls of kava, emblematic drink of this Pacific archipelago. In the shadows, Ni-Vanuatu as well as expatriates and tourists discuss in English or Bichelamar, the lingua franca of the archipelago.
The keeper serves to ladle a cloudy liquid in bowls called shells, for less than two euros. The kava is drunk dry. A sink is available to those who wish to spit or rinse their mouths. The taste is bitter and astringent. Throat clearing is heard. The atmosphere is relaxed. Kava soothes. In Vanuatu, nakamals are places to meet and discuss after work, just like bars and pubs in Europe. But alcohol is not present.

Kava has been drunk since ancient times in some Pacific islands such as Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu or Hawaii. It comes from the roots of kava, a plant related to pepper. "Kava was banned during colonization. After the independence of 1980, very quickly, it becomes a cultural claim, a way to assert itself in relation to the Westerners who never considered it very well. Today, it is a marker of cultural identity. This is the official drink of the government, "says Vincent Lebot, co-author of the book Drinkers kava and researcher at CIRAD.

Vanuatu produces cocoa, coffee, sugar, but these are not competitive products in the export market. Island States can produce only small volumes. "The original idea is to promote a product from small Pacific island countries that they would have exclusivity. This is the case of kava, "he says. A bitter taste, a peppery smell, a dull color, it is not the best selling drink. "It's not really good. We drink it to share something. People are looking for conviviality, not taste, "says Vincent Lebot.

However, it has many advantages. Kava does not affect the central nervous system. There is no dependency, unlike coffee for example. Neither addiction, on the contrary: when you get used to the effects, there is no need to drink as much. No side effects either, except in cases of particularly excessive consumption where the skin can become very dry.

Europeans have been interested in kava for its medicinal, relaxing and soothing properties since the 19th century. "The Western pharmaceutical industries have developed products that are often not very effective and are not particularly representative of the real effects of kava when it is taken as a beverage", Vincent Lebot describes. Capsules based on kava extracts have some success.
But in the early 2000s, controversy erupts when extracts made in Germany are potentially hepatotoxic. "This potential toxicity is due to poor quality control rather than the plant itself," says the researcher. What is hepatotoxic is not kava but the product that the Germans made. Which has not even been really demonstrated. "

Kava plant in a garden on the island of Santo, Vanuatu. | Sylvie Nadin

While in the late 1990s, kava belonged to the group of the most used medicinal plants around the world, the pharmaceutical market collapsed rapidly. In 2001, in Germany, products made from kava extracts were gradually withdrawn from sale. In January 2002, the French Agency for Health Safety of Health Products decided to follow German decisions and banned, according to the precautionary principle, the placing on the market of kava in all its forms. An amazing decision since Kaviase, a drug reimbursed by the Social Security, had been sold in France for decades without any complaint.
New Caledonia, meanwhile, does not prohibit kava, already widespread in its territory. The World Health Organization (WHO) decides to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of kava among regular consumers in the Pacific, but the observations of health professionals in these territories show no predominance of liver problems in these populations. Kava is still banned in France. The damage is done, the reputation of kava is tainted, the doubt still persists today.

Exports up
Despite European bans, the export market is currently expanding on other continents, particularly in the Pacific and the United States. Although there is no funding from abroad for kava, unlike other crops such as livestock or coconut, the number of kavaculturists is increasing year by year. Vincent Lebot nuance: "You have to make a quality product to export but the kava still has a bad image. Vanuatu must invest in quality control. A new scandal should not break out. "
Today, the main export product is dried roots, although some exporters specialize in ready-to-use powder. "It would take a finished product, bottle the kava to value it, make the taste and color acceptable," adds the researcher. He receives a notification about a novelty: Pacific Roots Kava, a frozen fresh purée from Vanuatu, then bottled in Auckland before being sent to the United States. "This is the first bottle of fresh kava exported that I hear about. Everything has been sold but will it stabilize? "Questions Vincent Lebot.

Fresh kava roots from the islands arrive in the capital and are sold at the kava market Anabru directly to the owners of kava bar. | Sylvie Nadin

In recent years, exports have risen and pushed up prices. Kava becomes locally more and more expensive. "Today, the price of the kilo of fresh kava revolves around 1,000 vats [just under 8 euros] whereas only a few years ago, it was more like 400 vats [about 3 euros]. This kills the local market of kava bars. The effect depends on the dose, and if the price of kava increases, to avoid increasing the price of a shell, it will be more and more diluted, which will reduce its effects. The consumer will then turn to other drinks such as alcohol, "says Vincent Lebot. He added: "Production needs to increase so that it does not become a real problem. If production increases and quality is there, then it can contribute to the economic development of small countries. "
"We have a natural product, with no toxicity, no side effects, with an immediate effect to calm anxiety, it is normal that it pleases."

Michael Louze, kava exporter
Michael Louze is an exporter, kava enthusiast and creator of a website "to list the kava bars, locate them and note them, the nakamal TripAdvisor!". His warehouse is located in Port Vila. He receives the kava in the form of dried chips. It washes, digs and sorts to remove pieces where there is mold or skin. He checks that they are the right varieties because they are not all consumable. "I am used to it. I recognize the species by smell now, "he says with a smile. He confides throw about 15% of what he receives, a quantity that is not negligible. "Bad varieties have no proven toxicity, but they can have unpleasant effects the next day, such as headaches," he says. Kava is like wine: there are more or less good, it depends on the variety and the origin. "

Michael Louze sometimes goes to the market in Anabru kava, Port Vila. Lateral roots and stumps are exposed on tarpaulins, these are the only parts of the plant used to make the drink. A sign with the price per kilo and the provenance is placed next to a scale. Santo, 1,000 vatus. Pentecost, 800 vatus. The price varies according to the origin and the age. "The older he is, the more expensive he is. Normally we do not pick it for three years, "says Michael Louze.
It exports mainly to the United States and New Caledonia but sometimes has requests for other regions. According to him, the overseas market will continue to grow. "We have a natural product, with no toxicity according to the WHO, no side effect, with an immediate effect to calm anxiety, it's normal that it pleases." He smiles: he just received by email confirmation of 'a one-tonne order for New Mexico.
Kava boom in the United States
The first kava bars were born in the United States in the early 2000s. Kava is only drunk in Polynesian and Hawaiian clubs. Laurent Olivier left New Caledonia at this time and the idea germinated in his head to open a kava bar.
"In 2000, I imported twenty kilos of kava roots. He was immediately seized by the customs. I had to explain and negotiate to get it back. Finding a place to settle was also difficult, it was hard for them to understand what I wanted to do, thinking that kava could be a drug, "he recalls. In January 2002, he opened Nakava in Boca Raton, Florida. The concept pleases. Many kava bars open the following years.

In 2012, Laurent Olivier creates an import and distribution company: Kava Depot. He also invests in a laboratory to test the quality of the kava as well as in a processing unit. "The FDA is very strict about the quality and risks of contamination," he says. Suppliers who want to export to the United States must be registered with the FDA and have processing plants to US standards. She will in the coming months send experts to check all the exporters. If they do not pass the inspection, they will no longer be able to export there. "

Today, there are about 185 kava bars, more than half of which are in Florida. It becomes the fashionable place. Laurent Olivier has an explanation: "A place like kava bar is above all friendly, it fills a gap in American society. It is an alternative for former alcoholics and for those who do not like alcohol. People get used to the taste of kava because its relaxing effect is quickly felt. "Different concepts are emerging such as the kava bar studio yoga, the kava bar art gallery, the kava bar pizza, the kava bar billiard and even the kava bar strip club. "People are very creative when they open a kava bar," laughs Laurent Olivier.

It was a delight to present Kava-world.com to Titan FX team, in Port Vila.

We discussed functionalities, objectives, and perspectives of this kava lovers platform. They shared our enthusiasm and passion!

Then we enjoyed yumiwork's fantastic terrace, with a kava tasting, comparing kava juices from Santo and Malakula, with a great sun set.

Sweet!

Kava is a major commodity in Tonga, a green gold to many farmers, and kava is often exported mainly to the huge Tongan diaspora aboard, in New Zealand, Australia and of course in the USA.

An agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB) and the Vanuatu Agriculture College (VAC) for the production of kava seedlings.

The agreement was signed by the Director General for MALFFB, Moses Amos and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VAC, Peter Napwatt, after the second kava forum recently on Santo.

Under the agreement, VAC is obliged to produce over 23,000 kava seedlings at a value of VT4 Million to supply to farmers who are interested. DARD will purchase kava seedlings at VT170, considering factors of production and the selling price to farmers will be VT50 per seedling.

The Director for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Antoine Ravo, said DARD has signed several agreements with private companies under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy directive of MALFFB to ensure sufficient supply of kava planting materials are available to farmers.

Many farmers were enquiring on where they could access kava seedlings and cuttings.

“Before interested farmers have access to kava seedlings from VAC, DARD officers will visit the nursery to ensure quality seedlings and the plants are healthy and performing well when planted out in the field.

“We want to receive positive feedback from farmers to maintain the relationship between government and private sector, in this case VAC.

“The VAC students could come up with such initiative to work with the government in their projects when they return home.

“Beleru farm on Santo provides kava cuttings to farmers around Sanma Province. In 2020, more initiatives and agreements will be signed with farmers and especially established farmers’ association who can come forward and indicate their interest in working with MALFFB.

“Apart from kava, MALFFB through DARD will be working with interested farmers of key crops or specific crops like vanilla, pepper, coffee, cacao and other crops to develop each crop through partnership.

“Any interested farmers’ association should notify DARD and DARD officers will do an inspection on farm before an agreement could be reached to further develop identified crops under the jurisdiction of DARD,” Director Ravo said.

As a beneficiary of the partnership agreement, CEO Napwatt encouraged farmers and parents of young people on Santo to increase the number of young people attending the College.

He stated, “This College should enrol more students from Santo. In 2018, top on the list were students from PENAMA Province.

“This year, many students from TAFEA province were enrolled. Today, you may think Santo has a huge land mass but one day you will need to manage your resources and population growth and you need to know what to do to manage those resources.

CEO Napwatt added, “The signed agreement, could become a joint venture between two to ten famers around Santo.

“If a farmer produces 1 million seedlings a year, selling at VT150 per seedling, you will make a total of VT150 million a year and that is a lot of money.

“I encourage more young people from Santo to enrol at VAC next year 2019.

VAC CEO Napwatt said, “Now that the agreement has been signed, VAC will establish kava nurseries to gather for the number required by MALFFB.”

The DG for MALFFB acknowledged VAC for taking up the initiative to work with the government.

DG Amos said, “The government has subsidised the cost of kava seedling so VT50 is a reasonable amount that I believe most of you will afford.

“A lot of discussions and dialogue on issues surrounding kava industry were raised during the second kava forum and now it is time to work.

“The Government through the leadership of MALFFB Minister, ensures that there should not be any excuse of no access to kava seedlings.

For the South Pacific Kava producing countries, Australia 🇦🇺 attitude toward kava has been and still is hard to understand.

Kava has been part of the daily life in the islands, part of traditional custom ceremonies , part of the traditional pharmacopeia for thousands of years. So- of course -when Australia, their biggest big brother , their biggest Regional Aid donor, their major economical partner, threat kava like a bad-second grade -dangerous -drug, dangerous for the Australians- as if they were superior to the islanders- of course people feel offended.

Why?? Well, we get offended because we know that kava is safe. Because some of our highly respectable people drink kava, not drug addicts. In fact, almost everyone drinks kava in the islands, it is part of the daily life, same as having an espresso in the morning in Italy. And it is often a high sign of respect to share kava with someone. Our parents, our grand parents, our kings, our chiefs, our leaders , all have been and are consuming it. And they are not drug addicts! And today the science is with us : The WHO report highlighted the safety of kava consumed the traditional way. Kava is not a drug. It is a relaxing drink. The opposite of coffee which gives you a boost in the morning. It simply relaxes you. Simple..

But despite these reports, despite all the evidence we bring in the spotlight , our noble drink our kava is still sadly looked down by our biggest neighbor.

It is a fact that kava has been abused in some remote aboriginal communities. Yes. Kava was introduced there to try and replace alcohol, which was ravaging those communities. Similar programs had been successfully implemented in Port-Vila and in Noumea, so why not there ??? But this program was sadly not properly monitored. And kava was abused. The program failed, kava was blamed and kava banned. Despite the ban, yes, it is a fact that some unscrupulous individuals had kept supplying kava to these communities-which already have lot of other issues to deal with- brought in Australia through the passenger 2 kg allowance. Yes.

The question are if someone sniff glue, do we stop the import of glue? And, as alcohol is causing lots of harm and death almost daily in all the Pacific islands have our South Pacific leaders said that we will stop importing VB or Bundaberg rum to control the problem? No. Because we know. The problem is not the use of the product, but the abuse. Exactly the same as sugary products and drinks are affecting us with record level of Diabetes and NCD.

And at the same time, Kava is considered as a food in New Zealand, Kava Lounges are booming in the United States oF America. So if kava is safe and not an issue at all, widely accepted over there,, what is wrong with Australia?

Australian PM Scott Morrison drinking kava in Port Vila. Many Australian investors and expatriated based in the South Pacific enjoyed daily the relaxing and socializing aspect of kava.

This is why for us Pacific Islanders the Australian position is impossible or very hard to understand. And very frustrating.

The confirmation of the increase of the passenger allowance from 2 kg to 4 kg is a good step in the right direction. A good but yet very small. One may argue that the trade will double. Yes . But doubling something fairly insignificant is not much! For a country like Vanuatu, the economical benefits for such an increase will be close to null. And also it still means that Kava is still treated and considered as a bad dangerous drug, which and should not be consumed in Australia, which is yet fairly insulting to us. . The Pacific Island countries want commercial import. Simple. Normal trade for our kava. At a time when most Pacific island countries are part of the WTO, at a time when Australia is pushing for PACER PLUS ratification, despite that we have little competitive industries (for many reasons), what is wrong in requesting normal fair trade for one of our product?

Australia is one of the biggest Aid donor in the region. Yes.. But we don’t want Aid , we welcome Aid as it helps us in lots of aspects of our development, but we want to be as independent as possible, we want trade, not Aid! Do you understand? And for the first time ever we have a commodity with high value, empowering our farmers... Our farmers are paying for school fees with kava, our shipping is efficient because of kava , our islands are developing through the kava trade ... and yet Australia - who pretend to be our friend and best partner, who is supposed to help us getting more economically independent - doesn’t accept it!

One may ask why do we want to export to Australia? Simply for trade fairness. Simple. We import billions dollars worth of goods from Australia. So let us balance a little the scale by exporting a bit of kava. We are not begging here. We just want our kava to be considered as a normal tradable commodity, in a similar way as when we import your brocoli and your VB, in a similar way as when we export our kava to other markets like New Zealand. Simple .Australia is a huge potential market for us which we are restricted to access. Huge not only because of the huge diaspora of islanders staying in Australia, but because of the millions of Australian who have visited our islands and already know about kava. A huge potential market at our doorstep for a high value crop, but yet, Australia doesn’t want it , and prefer to support other low price low potential crop.... Why????

All of the above noted points have generated a lot of frustration, and the latest announcement are now looked at with a bit of skepticism: Is Australia genuine about this kava issue? Are they doing this just pretending to be our friend to counter the Chinese influence in the region? So are they really at one stage going to open their market to us or are they simply kicking the ball in front once again???? What will be the next story in 2022???

Anyway, i guess it is a bit too early to say, So let’s be positive 😁 while waiting , and let’s all try to work positively on this.

Let’s work with Australia closely to make sure the commercial pilotes are a success. We all know it should not be complicated ! So there shouldn’t be any excuses!!!

Michael Louze

Kava ready to be exported to New Caledonia and the USA, where kava is used and consumed without issues

Please find below a link to an interesting article by Liam Fox, published 17th October ,covering several aspects of the Current issues in regards to Australia’s policy toward the Pacific Green Gold.

Liam Fox has been covering the South Pacific affairs - and kava affairs - for several years

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-17/kava-imports-pacific-fiji-australia-explainer/11607384?pfmredir=sm

Un article de Caledonie 1ère 🇫🇷🇳🇨🏝🏝🏝🏝

https://m.la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/kava-vert-du-vanuatu-760171.html#xtref=http://m.facebook.com&

Please find below a quick google translation of the article published in French by Soïzic Le Cornec, on Kava in Vanuatu 🇻🇺:

This article is based on some observations and personal impressions from my stay in Vanuatu from March to August 2019 as part of an 11-month trip to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The purpose of this article is to share my own encounters and impressions around kava, in the few places where I could go; Port Vila on Efate Island, Emau, North Ambrym, Pentecost, Santo center, Aniwa and Tanna.

It would have taken much longer to fully grasp the organization of all these places of life with social norms so far removed from mine. Especially since each island - and even each region in the same island - hosts villages living in different ways and according to different kastom1; what is true somewhere is perhaps false elsewhere. With its 138 vernacular languages ​​for some 280,000 inhabitants2, Vanuatu is a country where it is possible to cross a linguistic area within an hour of walking.

Vanuatu web map
Map of Vanuatu © Casoar

          San i stap ko daon. The sun goes down and signals to Ni-vanuatu3 the end of the day. Already since nakamal4, we hear the rhythmic noise of busnaef5: we are working to cut into small pieces the roots of kava. Men prepare, take shelter, and get married. Finally, the opaque and brown juice is ready and the first sel6 are served. The nakamal plunges into the darkness. A light can just distinguish the kava drinkers who are now whispering to each other. From time to time, the silence is interrupted, it must be said, by gorging throats and affirmed spitting. Kava is effective. Some will tell you that he is talking.

        The kava drink is named after the plant from which it comes. It is the juice extracted from the root that is consumed. Kava comes from Tanna, Santo, Pentecost, Ambae, Paama, Epi, Maewo to name only the main farming islands. It is planted from a branch that takes root and gives a new plant. It is necessary to wait three or four years minimum often more, until ten years sometimes to unearth the root. During all this time, the field must be maintained by brushing it regularly.

Stages of kava planting, from harvest to planting. © Soizic Cornec

         Kava has an anesthetic and relaxing effect that can be more or less strong depending on the age, variety and quality of the plant. Its taste, slightly peppery, is not known to be nice, we can not help drawing a grimace by emptying its salt. It is consumed at the end of the day in special places, conducive to conversation; the nakamal or the kava bar. Traditionally, he takes part in ceremonies or important meetings of the community. It is a way of sealing an agreement and a union between the drinkers. But today, drinking kava is an almost daily practice for men in Vanuatu.

       The preparation can be done in different ways. In the center of Pentecost, particularly in the village of Level in the heights of Namaram7, the kava is crushed with a section of coral long 25-35 cm taken under water. The coral stone is turned with his hand, in the palm of his second hand where the pieces of roots are arranged. The crushed kava is first mixed with a little water before being filtered several times in a piece of coconut fiber to extract the juice. Tonight when we arrive at Level, the village commemorates the seventy days of mourning for one of them. The young men are responsible for the preparation of the special kava in front of the nakamal, the large community building of the village. They sit on the ground in front of a wooden board next to which are arranged the tools and elements necessary for making. On the board, everything in its place: the humidified kava, pressed kava (makas), the two salt necessary for filtering on the side … Coline, the mother of the family shows me a few days after the sandroing8 of the kava preparation resuming the precise layout of the elements. If this sandroing exists, this well-codified preparation, it seems to me, has a certain antiquity or at least a traditional character. When one of the young men finishes preparing a salt, they come to drink crouched behind him, as a sign of gratitude.

kava pentecost
Salt, corals and dishes for the preparation of kava. North Pentecost © Soizic Le Cornec

        In Tanna, south of Vanuatu, nakamal is an outdoor meeting space, traditionally organized around a nambangga (the Banyan tree). A shelter can be built in the long and multiple roots.9 The kava-related kastom is very strong. Women are excluded from most places on the island. Moreover nakamal are reserved for men, especially at night when eating kava. In the evening, I stay with the women who look after the children and cook. If I wish, a man brings me a salt that I drink outside the nakamal. The way to prepare kava for Tanna may seem surprising to us since the unmarried young men chew the roots before squeezing them. The island has the reputation of making a very strong kava. Once the kava is boiled in the mouths of men, they spit it on a sheet of bourao and then pour it into a piece of tight mesh that serves as a filter. We add a little water and press to recover the kava juice. Aside from this special kava whit mentioned earlier, I have seen everywhere use this fabric (kaliko) to filter. In many places today, people are using manual meat grinders to grind kava. In Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, some small shops have electric choppers that can be used on site for 50 vatu per kilo.10 Commonly called nakamal in Port Vila, the term kava bar seems more suitable for making the distinction between the first where the shared kava takes on a traditional character and the second where people pay to consume. At the kava bar, kava salt is bought 100, 150, 200 vatu according to the desired dose. There are at least several hundred kava bars in Port Vila placed between two houses, on the beach, on a square … which can be buildings of all shapes and sizes possible. They find themselves by a red lantern which only goes out when the kava is finished.

      When I question women in relation to kava, the majority are those who answer never to drink. Some rarely drink on special occasions. However, if kava is a drink traditionally reserved for men, women can now drink it more or less freely depending on the location. Although it is less of a daily practice as it is for men, and that very few are those that we see staying in nakamal, it seems to me that women take a liking to the freedom to consume the kava. In Port Vila, it is not uncommon to see groups of women at the kava bar where Tanna remains a very exclusive example. However, many do not feel comfortable in this very masculine place where the presence of women is still poorly perceived. I remember going once to the kava bar in Port Vila with a friend, who had agreed to accompany me there. After drinking our salt behind the building out of sight, she had left quickly without taking the time to sit and talk. In nakamal, women are often there only to sell, away from the drinkers, small things to eat at 20 vatu (about 15cts) room. Many of them are not allowed by their husbands or just too busy with children and meal preparation. Women sometimes prefer to eat kava at home. Often, they wait for the children to be washed, fed and slept. It is possible to buy a full bottle (a plastik) in the kava bar. It has happened several times in Santo, Emau and Ambrym that women ask me to take out a salt or a plastik nakamal because by my status as foreign, and therefore less strictly subject to the rules related to the kastom and men's eyes I am invited more easily to drink kava. This apprehension of women, however, depends on the status and personality of each. I think of Tarcisia, a friend of Ambrym who had obtained permission from the village chiefs to prepare and sell her kava at the village kava bar during her husband's absence, who had gone to work for several months in New Zealand. Rare is this situation but she was every night in the center of the nakamal to sell her kava.

Nakamal, North Pentecost © Soizic Le Cornec

Tarcisia cutting kava roots with his sons. © Soizic Cornec

        The kava market is in full swing today. It should be possible to estimate the number of liters of kava consumed each evening in the kava bar of Port Vila to quantify the popularity of the drink in Vanuatu. Every day, kava is sold at the Namburu market - a neighborhood on the heights of Port Vila - between 1000 and 1500 vatu per kilogram. The farmers send it to Port Vila, taking advantage of the rotations of cargo ships serving the islands. For many, it is a major source of income, which is a vital issue for families who have to contend with tuition, health or equipment costs that often exceed living standards. Pentecost and Santo are fortunate to have particularly fertile lands for growing kava and benefit from a successful export market. Dried kava sells for about 3,300 vatu per kilo. It is exported in the form of powder, to New Caledonia for example or the United States where kava bar are apparently successful in the trendy areas of big cities. Very effective for relaxing and fighting anxiety, it's no wonder that kava is making its way into the Western megacities.

        Many Ni-vanuatu are proud of their drink whose reputation throughout the Pacific and beyond is well established. Kava is in Vanuatu what wine is to France. I chose to write about kava when I realized that it was the focal point of my immersion in Vanuatu. It was in nakamal that I established friendly relationships, learned to speak Bislama, and talked at length with many different people who gave me valuable testimonials to help me understand the environment in which I was. Kava, whether at the personal level or at the level of the governing authorities, is, I believe, an effective mediator for creating unions, dialogue and making decisions. For this reason, it is a central pillar of ni-vanuatu culture.

Thank you to the many people who welcomed me and shared so much information.

Thank you to Mr. Georges Cumbo for his linguistic advice.

  Soizic The Cornec

Featured image: Kava field, Pentecost center. © Soizic Cornec

1 The kastom is a term widely used in Vanuatu to talk about everything related to tradition and its applications. The language, the songs, the dances, the weaving and all the material productions, the kava … are examples of elements of the kastom.

2 Figures after François A. et al, The languages ​​in Vanuatu: Unity and diversity, Asia-Pacific Linguistics ANU publications, Canberra, 2015.

3 Inhabitants of Vanuatu.

4 Meeting place of the community. It takes different forms depending on the islands. At Pentecost, the nakamal are high and large wooden buildings and natangura (sago palm) leaves for the roof.

5 Term in Bislama (Vanuatu's lingua franca). Literally "knife for the bush". In French, cutter or saber de abattis. It is the main tool of Ni-vanuatu for all handicrafts.

6 Term in Bislama. From the English shell, the shell or the nut. Traditionally, kava is served in empty half-coconut. Although plastic bowls are often used today, Ni-vanuatu still talk about kava salt.

7 I mention here this specific place to speak only of a personal experience on the subject. However, there are other places in Vanuatu where kava is crushed with a piece of coral such as north of Pentecost for example.

8 Term in Bislama. From English sand drawing, drawing on sand. Sandroing is a Vanuatu tradition of drawing with a finger in the sand or in the ground a geometric and complex pattern that represents a real object or an idea (animal, plant, object, myth …). These drawings, which are transmitted between generations, are accompanied by stories known to people in the community.

9 The young roots growing from the high branches are progressively passed over the shelter. The roots continue to grow and penetrate the ground in front of the shelter, enclosing it in the roots.

10 Vatu is the currency of Vanuatu. 130 vatu is about equal to one euro.

We manage everything, don’t worry about it, people will enjoy their kava time:

. Sourcing and delivery of best kava juice (up to 3, for tasting or blind test)

. Service by friendly staff, properly suited, who know about kava

. Good looking stand: banana leaves, tanua, coconut shells, shell disposals, finger food,…

Events for private companies, public administration, Embassies,…

Price: from 20.000 vatus

La tournée des 40 ans de Kassav continue à travers le Pacifique, ce mardi soir s’est tenu un concert exceptionnel à Wallis!

Mais avant cela ,la veille , direction le Palais Du Roi, a Matahutu pour un accueil... royal!

Sous le falefonu au Palais Sagato Soane, tout le monde est là et tout est prêt 😊

Le roi Lavelua Takumasiva et les dignitaires des différents secteurs sont là pour accueillir le groupe

Le roi Lavelua Takumasiva

Jocelyne Beroard boit son kava 😊😊😊👌🏽

Jacob Desvarieux buveur de kava egalement 👌🏽

Reportage RFO ci dessous :

Rencontre au palais et bénédiction coutumière avec le roi Lavelua Takumasiva 

Kassav' à Wallis, c'est l'événement avec un grand E. Pour marquer leur arrivée au fenua, les membres du groupe mythique ont rendu une visite protocolaire au roi Lavelua Takumasiva. Un Kava a été préparé au palais Sagato Soane pour ces invités de marque. Des discours chaleureux ont été prononcés sous le grand Fale. Le groupe a eu la bénédiction de sa majesté Lavelua pour que leur séjour se passe dans les meilleures conditions. Le souverain, a ajouté non sans une grande émotion :

"Merci sincèrement, d'avoir pris le temps de venir à Wallis et Futuna"

Kassav, N’hésitez pas à nous contacter si vous avez besoin de kava 😊, On veut bien être les fournisseurs officiels 😂😂😂😂😂

🎶Kava la se sel medikamen nous ni🎶😊

Tired of drinking kava out of à Chinese plastic dish or a poubelle?  

Get yourself a real Tanoa from Kabara 🌴 a lifetime investment to decor your home and to drink kava with family and friends ! 

The real Fijian Tanoa in vesi wood ( natora).

Not treated, not carved, not painted, designed to drink kava...

At home , with friends, for customers, tourists,  do not hesitate ! 

Contact us! Mob 7725025 

Different sizes available.

20” Tanoa at 20,000 Vt VAT included

🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺

We, the people of Vanuatu
Proud of our struggle for freedom,
Determined to safeguard the achievements of this struggle,
Cherishing our ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity,
Mindful at the same time of our common destiny,
Hereby proclaim the establishment of the united and free Republic of Vanuatu founded on traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles,
And for this purpose give ourselves this Constitution.

Vanuatu to commemorate 40 years of its Constitution on the 5th of October, this week.

Founding fathers of Vanuatu have signed the constitution on the 5th October 1979.

On October 5, 1979, the members of the Constitutional Committee that consists of representatives of different political parties, the churches, the chiefs, women historically signed the first ever National Constitution of the New Hebrides which was shortly to become the Independent State of the Republic of Vanuatu on July 30, 1980.

Since independence till last year 2019, the commemoration was held in front of the government building where the former parliament is located opposite the market house.

This year's commemoration will be held at the convention center for the first time, since the former government building was demolished.

Photo and text Nak Media

And 4o years later...,.,

Happy Constitution Day Vanuatu

🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺

With our production increasing, we need to make sure our markets develop also, and for kava markets to develop, we need to insure kava exported follow some quality standards.

Those standards are generally a combination of the exporter own standard, the oversea importer requirement , and of course the country of export own quality requirements ( i.e Vanuatu Kava Quality standard and the Vanuatu Kava Act). Kava is a food , in a similar way as coffee or tea, so the same requirements and standards apply.

At the occasion of the World Standard Day on 13th October 2019, the Vanuatu Bureau oF Standard ( Ex. Food Lab😅) organized a forum, and we were given the opportunity to share our experience and the issues that the kava Industry are trying to address.

KAVA QUALITY AND STANDARDS- An Exporter perspective.

Lots of potential factors can affect the quality of our kava exported.

A quick overview in pictures below:

There are lots of microbial potential contaminants in the soil , so it is important to thoroughly wash the kava Roots after harvesting to remove soil etc.

Almost none of the kava producing areas have access to running water, so washing and peeling the kava in the rivers is often much better than re-using a muddy dish of scarce rainwater .. But the water in the river is not a drinkable water and is a likely source of contamination from e. Coli and alike, coming from bush latrines, wild animals (cattle, pigs, rat etc...)

Peeling is a must for basal roots (“Chips”).
Personal hygiene (washing thoroughly with soap) before handling food ( kava) is often sadly overlooked

During the drying process, Kava is again exposed to multiple contamination factors: roaming chicken, rats, cats, insects ..

Storage is also an issue.
Kava is also multi handled I.e brought to the shore then transported to another place in a speed boat , then onward to another place before getting shipped.
With the high humidity we have and the hygroscopy of kava, it is often an ideal terroir for micros growth and mould development

Shipping is also an issue.
kava bags are often not segregated and stored inside , and get wet with the rain, saltwater, contaminated by other products transported (...) , fuel, oil etc...
the wharves too could be a source of contamination

All bags are cupsided and kava selected
unacceptable quality are rejected and thrown away.
Mouldy kava above - internal mould , it’s over !

Mouldy kava chips

The water used is treated by Uv to avoid potential re contamination through contaminated water. The presence of UV treatment unit for water is a Bio Security requirement for all kava exporters in Vanuatu.

Kava is re- dried to make sure moisture content is low enough to stop mould development and microbial growth

Between the purchase in the island and the actual quantity exported , there is a loss often more than 15%!!

Kava is then packed in new poly bags and ready to Biosecurity inspection and National bureau of standard analysis before getting the green light to be exported.

Vanuatu Bio security Officer coming to 1- inspect the kava visually and 2- collect sample that will be analysed anonymously by the Vanuatu Bureau of Standard to confirm if the kava is Noble and can be exported.

There had been huge progress in the standards of the operators to improve the quality exported, but there are still room for improvement all along the value chain .

Kava is a food and should be treated as such , with respect, respecting GOod Agricultural Practice and Food Handling basics 😎✌️

Happy Drinking 😎

As I was delivering some products to Paris Shopping Duty Free shop in Port Vila, I stumbled across a new product produced in Australia 🇦🇺 using Vanuatu Kava.

Nice packaging, clear indications.. was intrigued as I had never heard of it before..

Ingrid Festa gave me two tablets for me to try. The owner told me that her daughter tried it and that it was good as she could drink and wasn’t inclined to spit, as it is often the case with fresh kava in Vanuatu 🇻🇺.

advertising in Chinese, targeting a huge potential- but yet very little explored- market for our kava

In the afternoon, as we were testing the “American “ kava , we decided to have a go at this one too😂😂😂

The kava tablet is boiling in the shell 😳😳😳

Mmmmm 🤔🤔

The kava tablet boiled in the shell, giving a yellowish foam on top of the shell 😬😬

Taste is special- nothing like kava, and rather strange , but maybe because we were (naively) expecting to get a drink very similar to fresh kava.

I am not sure that it will appeal to our seasoned kava drinkers, but it may appeal to new customers: easy to prepare anywhere etc..

It is great to see innovation like this. This is how we are going to touch a wider base of consumers and kava lovers ❤️👍.

We forwarded earlier information about PAcific Kava Roots , à kava prepared with green kava ( fresh froozen) and bottled in New Zealand for the US Market.

This product is the baby of years of trials by a well known American kava lover and importer , Mr. Mike Munsell, owner of Monsoon Beverage LLC and of the Kalm with Kava Company.

We had the chance - thanks to Slade Slimkins- to try and taste the product yesterday. Slade, Jimmy ans myself.

Blind testing the kava 😁

We had purchased a 1.5 liters of fresh kava at red light bladiniere for the tasting😁, to compare.

Vanuatu 🇻🇺 water 💦😁😁

Of course, we were able to tell one from another, but a very interesting product, not only because of its long shelf life but also because it is very close to fresh kava taste.

There is no bitterness in the taste or smell. Taste is still very earthy. Strenght seems good : we only had each an 100 ml shell (....) , the bottle being 250ml. With a full bottle , am sure the consumer will get the looked after relaxing effect, as I was feeling relaxed and my mouth half numb ...

Congratulation once again to the développer, and it will be great to see something like this being manufactured here, with bottle labeled with the different islands and varieties 😊😊❤️👍

The famous French West Indies 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴zouk band Kassav is in Vanuatu!

They arrived earlier this week in Port-Vila and are ready to rock Korman Stadium tonight !

Zouker zouker 🕺🕺💃🏽💃🏽😁😁😍😍😍😍😍👍🤙🤙🤙

Port-Vila is the first concert of their South Pacific Tour, they will then go to Noumea, Wallis and Futuna, Tahiti and Japan.

Last night, a small welcome coktail party was organized by the newly arrived French Ambassador at his Residency in Tassiriki to welcome the 41 years old Zouk Band.

Kava was served courtesy of Kava.-World.com, one tanoa full of Pentecost kava and the other kava from Malekula. kava was nice and enjoyed by the guest, and by the end of the coktail, both dishes were empty ahahahahahhah.

After traveling all the way from France and having had reception cocktails everyday since their arrival- with kava, some of the band members were a bit tired and it was an early night for all, as they needed to have a bit of rest ready for the BIG NIGHT today!

Georges Decimus, one of the lead singer, was the biggest kava drinker of the band, coming regularly in the kava-world.com corner to lift a shell :-)

So maybe he is now going to change the lyrics of their top chart song : 😊😊🙃🙃😅😅

Si janmé on jou🎶🎶
Mwen tonbé malad
Kava la sé sel médikaman nou ni (sa kon sa) {x4}
Si sé sa mwen an nou zouké
Mi'i kon sa … Mi'i kon sa …
Kava la sé sel médikaman nou ni (sa kon sa) {x4}
An malad {x6. 🎶🎶

Translation of their hit lyrics, with a few changes 😁😅🎶

If one day
I got sick
Kava is the only drug I need 🎶😅(….)

🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙zoukkke vilaaaaaaaaaa AND SEE YOU ALL TONITE

The Legendary Jean Philippe “Pipo” Marthely

Kava is unique to the South Pacific. This noble roots and the juice extracted from it has been shared and consummed traditionally in our islands for thousands years . This is what we all have in common, the love and respect for kava.

Now, with commercial plantings, the world is starting to discover the benefits of this amazing plant, and for our farmers, it has become the green gold....

So of course, at the latest Pacific Week of Agriculture held in Samoa last week, there were Noni juice from Samoa and Solomon Islands, there were coffee from Papua Niu Guinea and Solomon, there Coconut oils from most of the countries present, but there were lots of kava ....

Photos courtesy of Ratu Semy from Phama Plus Program..

Legendary New Zealand All Black Dan Carter and Fijian Joe Taliga Rokocoko having a small kava relaxing session away from home ....

Wishing all the South Pacific Teams all the best in Rugby World Cup Japan 🇯🇵 for the coming games!

KavaLytics™ provides clients with a fast, affordable, accurate and validated quality assessment method for Kava using a spectrometer, paired with a powerful, cloud-based artificial intelligence machine-learning platform that is intended to implement quality controls and traceability throughout the Kava value chain.

Simply point the scanner at a bag of Kava powder and get instant lab quality results on any blue tooth enabled IOS device.

Print, save, or email the analysis results on the spot, or create a label to apply to the product, complete with a QR code for quality control, traceability compliance and added value at each step of the value chain. x

Quality Control is a must and is now more affordable and easier for everyone with this new tool developed in the USA to help all the stakeholders of the Kava Value Chain, from agents in the island to consumers in New York City !

We have done in the past with the Food Laboratory in Port Vila NIRS analysis between 2012 and 2014, and it was great, but the equipment needed regular and very expensive recalibration so it sadly stopped after a while. With new technology and online software updates, it seems that this is no longer an issue...

A portable scanning method 😁. With this sort of inovation, we will have better knowledge of our products and make sure the consumers have the best kava experience possible, which is a must to develop our markets and bring kava to another level. 🌎

Congratulations to Kavalytics team for this great innovative tool 👍

A few units already in Vanuatu 😁

https://kavalytics.com/

PACIFIC ROOTS KAVA COMES IN A VARIETY OF QUANTITIES WHETHER YOU’RE NEW TO KAVA OR OWN A KAVA BAR! AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY AS WELL.

https://pacificrootskava.com/

Derick Lai, Madeline's father is an individual farmer and he ships kava every few weeks from Malvakal village, South Santo priorly for his daughter's tuition fee.

Madeline currently lives with her extended family here in Vila whilst taking courses at VIT, her determination was to pursue her goals in tourism management.

" I thank my father everyday for financially supporting me with my tuition fees, I come here at Anamburu every few weeks and sell kava to raise funds for my studies.... when I am busy with my courses it is my uncle that helps sell them for me... Selling green kava has tremendously help me in all means financially especially when living in the town"

#KavaOurGreenGold
#KeepGrowingOurGreenGold 🌱💚🥥

Interesting interview with Doc Vince 04:58; concerns that this traditional crop will become so popular that other parts of the world will start cultivating it pushing out local growers in the Pacific, it's a delicate balance.

Pacific Kava Cultivars Must Boost Kava Varieties And Quantities, 
Boost Kava Exportation And Ease Exportation Processes For Local Farmers.

Michael Louze is not only the Director of the South Sea Commodities and the Chief Founder of the ultimate Kava World platform but he is one of our nation’s strong agricultural economic advocate and like many others he is also a persistent global kava reformer. 

Michael was raised as a child back in the hearts of Vanuatu then later left for studies to France and West Indies. It is not till early 1999 after Michael’s return from studies overseas where he develops his capacity and passion in agriculture working and networking with several agricultural jobs such as coffee in Tanna, cocoa in Malekula , plantations in Norsup and then in Santo. “ Kava was one of the activities amongst others , but it’s importance grew bigger when I worked in Santo for the biggest kava exporter at that time. In 2010, I resigned and moved to Vila and started SSC, which trade and distribute various agri products but mostly export kava.. Kava is a very competitive market , and because of the higher operational cost to operate from Vila than Santo, the lesser volumes etc. I had to think about a strategy to make the activity sustainable, so decided to go for hundred percent top quality and exclusively sell selected Noble kava cultivars “explained Michael.

Michael posing during his recent visit to the Arc of Triumph, Des Champs Elysees, Paris France

South Sea Commodities is solely owned by Michael and is a small structured Vanuatu Kava wholesaler. With the export warehouse located  in Vila and a well organized network in the islands; dry kava is purchased directly from selected agents and kava farmers throughout the Islands and is then collected and processed for export to various regional and international markets. “ I like my freedom and been able to travel around ( with always kava in the back of my head)..and I already have my quantity of work, so my goal is not to increase volume crazily, but maybe to organize the operation differently to grow without more work and headaches ahaha”, added Mr Michael. SSC has been dealing with the kava industry for almost ten years and those regular travels through the islands are prioritized to sourcing the best kava for its market ensuring the quality of the product exported.

Given experiences and a wider expertise in international kava marketing; Michael stated that Vanuatu by far is the biggest kava exporter, Fiji however is of a fairly similar level producer but export much less as they have a huge local market for their dry kava. Michael further clarified that it is obvious kava juices consumed in other producing PIC is often much weaker and this is not solely a result from different cultivars and varieties but firstly the kava juice is extracted from dry not green fresh kava and most importantly this is preferably how most regional kava consumers in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga like to drink their kava for a more relaxant refreshing drink rather than the ‘Vanuatu style’ drinking where the mix is more concentrated with an after reaction of instant kava drunkness.  

“Kava is not an easy market !” expressed Michael “it is already a challenge in itself coordinating kava supply, demand and stabilizing the market prices. There are constant quality issues from a very inhomogeneous supply as kava is grown and harvested differently in various geographical environments by mainly small holders or small scale farms. It is therefore normal that the supply fluctuates all the time, and it indeed affects the prices, as for any commodity or agricultural goods. “For the past 5 years, we had a Kava shortage which made Kava harder to source but much easier to sell, and so the price of Kava increased by more than 100 percent .. The high prices motivated the farmers and lot of Kava planting happened and now we have more kava coming into the market ..”

Furthermore, South Sea Commodity  aims to develop its kava network and kava value adding, not only necessarily by further processing but mainly securing the supply and  develop new little explored niche markets. Since SSC commencement of operation it has played a remarkable contribution to the agricultural economic development; promoting Vanuatu kava through its regional and international customers and being recognized as a top quality supplier, in align with the supply chain from kava farmers to the kava drinkers. Thus, this kava industry developed contributes to the social and agricultural economic empowerment, developing the rural areas like never before; providing a working space for everyone, keeping the youths in the islands and therefore limiting urban drift. 

Michael sharing a shell with the respected villagers

All of this awareness and work help promotes kava quality, ensuring kava remains as Vanuatu Green Gold for the generations to come.

What Kava have you tried ? 😄

There are many varieties grown throughout the Pacific. Every strain has its own distinct color, aroma, taste and effect. 🌱🥥

Euphorbia Kava Bar 💫

Originally published in Etu's Kava - Canada on Aug 13th 2018

Republished by fijisun.com.fj on Aug 8th 2019

Mr Sanday the co owner of Etu's Kava - Canada stated ;
" It is important that we provide a product that consumers know and trust as safe and of high quality .

All of our manufacturing and labelling is done in accordance with Health Canada's Good manufacturing practices and guidelines in a licenced facility...

We know how hard these farmers work to yield their harvest and believe they should benefit greatly from their efforts ..

This in turn will help their families and their Vanuas "

Read more on https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/13/kava-business-launched-in-canada/

Monday 29th July marks a digital transformation break through for Kava World in Vanuatu. Thanks to Telecom Vanuatu Limited the https://the-kava-world.com/ is now data free for all TVL mobile users.

Kava Industry is the key in Vanuatu, given an estimation of over 40% of households engage in some part of the kava value chain. This kava plant commodity is already the main income source in many islands and has a remarkable growth potential within the international trade.

The only reality to this set back is there is a huge lack of information, at all levels as a result it gives complications in opportunities and indeed slows down the market. Kava-world.com prior mission is to contribute to the development and the modernization to the overall kava industry.
Like MP Jimmy Nipo stated during the opening speech " As Vanuatu looks forward to celebrating its 39th Independence, we must give gratitude to ourselves and move forward with pride and dignity as we have achieved another milestone with this kava digital platform, a gate way to the etrade kava industry".

Kava World humbly thanks the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business and all its delegates for being part of this Kava World and Telecom Vanuatu Limited Partnership launching .

#TVLandKavaWorldPartnershipLaunching#FreeDataUsageOnlineKavaWorldPlatform#ADigitalEmpoweringMarketingAndInformativeSpaceForTheKavaIndustry#KavaOurGreenGold#HappyIndependenceCelebrationVanuatu#KavaWorld

On this 30th July 2019, We would like to wish Vanuatu a happy Independence Anniversary!

After the political independence gained in 1980, it is now time to try and achieve a bit more of economical independence , and stop depending on foreign aid ...

Kava is achieving this in our islands already... and hopefully this is only the beginning 😁!

Kava has become the south Pacific green gold , and this is even more true for Vanuatu 🇻🇺:

A few facts and figures for all of us to realize the importance of kava , not only as a cultural and social plant, but also as of major economical importance:

✅ Kava exports revenues are the first in term of value, far more than copra, coffee, beef and cocoa.

✅If we include the local market, kava is the commercial activity generating and circulating more money than any other activity like tourism and alike. And unlike other activities, most of the money goes directly to the grassroots and the farmers!

✅Latest census said that more than 26,000 households were involved in kava farming . This is huge and constantly increasing. 
If you then add all the persons involved in the hundreds of kava bars, the transportation, the food stalls with the "mums" selling the finger food in those bars, then you will start to realize how important kava is for Vanuatu.

✅ Kava is empowering our farmers like no other crops before. Our youth stay in the islands rather than coming to the urban areas and be involved in crime, because they realize that by planting kava and staying home, they can make much more money than working in a chiness shop in town or pickings kiwi in New Zealand.

✅Because of kava, we have more shipping lines going to remote places, like Eastern Pentecost, which was ignored until the kava boom! 
Without kava, shipping will almost collapse here!

✅ With kava , our farmers pay speed boat and land cruiser with cash 💰 money... where else in the world can farmers do that ?

✅With kava, for example in Pentecost, Kava is paying for all the school fees, Kava is paying for solar panels, paying for water tank, there is light everywhere because of kava! Not because of a project, not because of the government

Never any foreign aid project had any such impact on our development ! This is the real crop of independence and of self reliance!

Let's make sure we all work in the right direction to develop our markets and for kava to remain the Green gold for the generations to come !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANUATU ❤️🇻🇺✌️✌️

July 24, 2019 by Greta Friar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kava plants. Credit: Randy Travis

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant native to the Polynesian islands that people there have used in a calming drink of the same name in religious and cultural rituals for thousands of years. The tradition of cultivating kava and drinking it during important gatherings is a cultural cornerstone shared throughout much of Polynesia, although the specific customs—and the strains of kava—vary from island to island. Over the past few decades, kava has been gaining interest outside of the islands for its pain-relief and anti-anxiety properties as a potentially attractive alternative to drugs like opioids and benzodiazepines because kavalactones, the molecules of medicinal interest in kava, use slightly different mechanisms to affect the central nervous system and appear to be non-addictive. Kava bars have been springing up around the United States, kava supplements and teas lining the shelves at stores like Walmart, and sports figures in need of safe pain relief are touting its benefits.

This growing usage suggests that there would be a sizeable market for kavalactone-based medical therapies, but there are roadblocks to development: for one, kava is hard to cultivate, especially outside of the tropics. Kava takes years to reach maturity and, as a domesticated species that no longer produces seeds, it can only be propagated using cuttings. This can make it difficult for researchers to get a large enough quantity of kavalactones for investigations or clinical trials.

Now, research from Whitehead Institute member and MIT associate professor of biology Jing-Ke Weng and postdoc Tomáš Pluskal, published online in Nature Plants July 22, describes a way to solve that problem, as well as to create kavalactone variants not found in nature that may be more effective or safer as therapeutics.

"We're combining historical knowledge of this plant's medicinal properties, established through centuries of traditional usage, with modern research tools in order to potentially develop new drugs," Pluskal says.

Weng's lab has shown that if researchers figure out the genes behind a desirable natural molecule—in this case, kavalactones—they can clone those genes, insert them into species like yeast or bacteria that grow quickly and are easier to maintain in a variety of environments than a temperamental tropical plant, and then get these microbial bio-factories to mass produce the molecule. In order to achieve this, first Weng and Pluskal had to solve a complicated puzzle: How does kava produce kavalactones? There is no direct kavalactone gene; complex metabolites like kavalactones are created through a series of steps using intermediate molecules. Cells can combine these intermediates, snip out parts of them, and add bits onto them to create the final molecule—most of which is done with the help of enzymes, cells' chemical reaction catalysts. So, in order to recreate kavalactone production, the researchers had to identify the complete pathway plants use to synthesize it, including the genes for all of the enzymes involved.

The researchers could not use genetic sequencing or common gene editing tools to identify the enzymes because the kava genome is huge; it has 130 chromosomes compared to humans' 46. Instead they turned to other methods, including sequencing the plant's RNA to survey the genes expressed, to identify the biosynthetic pathway for kavalactones.

"It's like you have a lot of Lego pieces scattered on the floor," Weng says, "and you have to find the ones that fit together to build a certain object."

Weng and Pluskal had a good starting point: They recognized that kavalactones had a similar structural backbone to chalcones, metabolites shared by all land plants. They hypothesized that one of the enzymes involved in producing kavalactones must be related to the one involved in producing chalcones, chalcone synthase (CHS). They looked for genes encoding similar enzymes and found two synthases that had evolved from an older CHS gene. These synthases, which they call PmSPS1 and PmSPS2, help to shape the basic scaffolding of kavalactones molecules.

Then, with some trial and error, Pluskal found the genes encoding a number of the tailoring enzymes that modify and add to the molecules' backbone to create a variety of specific kavalactones. In order to test that he had identified the right enzymes, Pluskal cloned the relevant genes and confirmed that the enzymes they encode produced the expected molecules. The team also identified key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of flavokavains, molecules in kava that are structurally related to kavalactones and have been shown in studies to have anti-cancer properties.

Once the researchers had their kavalactone genes, they inserted them into bacteria and yeast to begin producing the molecules. This proof of concept for their microbial bio-factory model demonstrated that using microbes could provide a more efficient and scalable production vehicle for kavalactones. The model could also allow for the production of novel molecules engineered by combining kava genes with other genes so the microbes would produce modified kavalactones. This could allow researchers to optimize the molecules for efficiency and safety as therapeutics.

"There's a very urgent need for therapies to treat mental disorders, and for safer pain relief options," Weng says. "Our model eliminates several of the bottlenecks in drug development from plants by increasing access to natural medicinal molecules and allowing for the creation of new-to-nature molecules."

Kava is only one of many plants around the world containing unique molecules that could be of great medicinal value. Weng and Pluskal hope that their model—combining the use of drug discovery from plants used in traditional medicine, genomics, synthetic biology, and microbial mass production—will be used to better harness the great diversity of plant chemistry around the world in order to help patients in need.

More information: Tomáš Pluskal et al. The biosynthetic origin of psychoactive kavalactones in kava, Nature Plants (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-019-0474-0

Journal information: Nature Plants

Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.

SOURCE: https://m.phys.org/news/2019-07-kava-pain-relieving-anti-anxiety-molecules.html?fbclid=IwAR1667NXZGKI1VggLh_b1Oh09FJgQ5m7UVz0FEbPG09DyJyqxEUfyXFq6yI

What's Good Kava Lovers!

Amongst all now who would be our best Kava Ambassador?

🤔

Today Kava World would like to do the honors and nominate; his excellency, the all time Kava King our Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama
Let's be clear no political interference here! But how awesome is this Kava King representing our kava tribes from all around the world, first of drinking kava with celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and following with super power leaders like Modi and Xi.

Talk about a kava crowd-pleaser of media coverage, by all means this is great exposure in all forms for our Kava Roots! Our Green Gold !

So yes, thanks again to one of our greatest kava ambassador! 👍🇫🇯

Saturday 13th July was the celebration of France International Day 🇫🇷and in Vanuatu 🇻🇺 both countries celebrated 39 years of friendship and partnership.

The official celebration was held at the French Residence in Port Vila:

Nice French wine, great champagne , cheese, gorgeous pastries 🥮 and cakes 🧁 were served , but also of course, as we are in the South Pacific- Kava, which was enjoyed by most guests.

The kava sharing ceremony between the French Embassy Chargé d’affaire and Vanuatu Prime Minister The Honorable Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, started the event and celebration in itself.

Kava World kindly sponsored the events and served 2 different kava, a Melomelo from Santo proudly supplied by Voiala Nakamal (fes bucket at Bladiniere-thanks Voiala Vatu , and the other kava - a borogu from Pentecost island by Firelight Nakamal (Pango Road). With no surprise at 10.00 pm, both Tanoas were left empty!

Ambassade de France au Vanuatu
Prime Ministers Office Port Vila Vanuatu

#KavaWorldHostAKavaTastingEventDuringTheFrenchIntertnationalDay
#Celebrating39YearsOfVanuatuAndFranceFriendshipAndPartnership
#OneShellOneKavaTribe
#VivreLaFrance
#KavaWorld

Officially opened on the 13th July, 2019;

It is Auckland's first dedicated kava shop and room. As such, beyond being the best place to buy high quality kava from in Auckland, it is a community space for calm socializing and relaxation. In addition to selling great kava, Four Shells wants to sell and promote other Pasifika products, as well as host small cultural events and workshops.

At “Four Shells" we will encourage people to join us in creating a new social community which encourages open discussions, a stress-free study/work environment, and most of all, a second home that anyone can call their sanctuary. 

We will create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, ambiance. Try to make all of our customers feel like four shells is a home away from home.  Because of the calming effects of kava and relaxing, friendly atmosphere“Four Shells" is a place where people from all walks of life can come together and enjoy themselves. It will be a place for people to connect with each other, or simply relax in peace.

Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aucklandkumetegroup/aucklands-first-kava-room-and-shop?fbclid=IwAR3yU7yd4hUAxhOJwQroDm-pJ6-xQ9LRyCwLsJp3whDCLaVw_0gY2org8Ow

More Kava Related News:

Bula Bula Vinaka to Koula Kava Fiji 🙌🙏

#KoulaKavaFiji
#PureWakaFromKadavu
#KamaCatchMeDestinationWeddingPhotography
#OneShellOneKavaTribe
#KavaWorld

TVL Team striking a pose with Robert Wyllie the Kava World representative before the commencement of the Kava Tasting event.

On Tuesday 9th July Kava World served 20 L of kava to the Vanuatu PM and the ITUGSR delegates; 10L Borogo form Pentecost from Fire Light Nakamal and the other 10L is four years Melo Melo Santo from Voiala Kava Bar.

It was an utmost fulfillment to have had ITUGSR delegates from almost around the world, most of them for their first time to taste South Pacific's Piper Methysticum root crop; the root plant of euphoria, body relaxation and at the same time giving a glimpse of Vanuatu's culture connecting kava tribes as one back to their grass roots.

Marco Gérard PDT Consulting Director imposing a good laugh with the Vanuatu PM and the ITUGSR Delegates before offering a shell to everyone.

Kava World humbly thanks everyone especially the CEO of Telecom Vanuatu Limited and the rest of the TVL team be part of this fun engaging kava event.

#KavaTastingDuringTheITU
#TVLLaunchingAtTheITU
#MoreThan100ITUGSRDelegatesTastedKavaForTheirFirstTime
#OneKavaTribe
#KavaWorld 🧡💚🖤

Tanoa fa'iva (kava bowl) are used in the preparation and serving of a beverage made from the roots of the kava plant. The preparation and serving of 'ava (kava) is an art form in itself. The kava ceremony has great significance in South Pacific culture.

Custom Tanoas makes Acacia wood Tanoas in Thailand. Acacia wood has been around since for thousands of years. The durable properties and beauty of the flowing wood grains led to its use in furniture construction and luxury items.Custom Tanoas uses fully dried out Acacia wood slats and hand assembles the bowls, creating pieces that are highly unlikely to crack over years of use. The designs are inspired by traditional south pacific ceremonial bowls. These bowls are a perfect centerpiece for Kava circles and will only become more beautiful with years of use.

Youth in the Lomaiviti Province are slowly returning to their villages to tap into the lucrative Yaqona market.

Fiji Crop and Livestock Council Chief Executive Jiu Daunivalu says the increasing demand for yaqona locally and internationally has seen a resurgence in yaqona farming.

Daunivalu says a classic example is the Sawaieke Youth on Gau Island who undertook the Rural Millionaire Farming concept and harvested yaqona worth millions of dollars.

“They harvest their yaqona which is the three-year period from 2014 – 2016 and they got $4.6million and that is a good agriculture practice and that is something that can be replicated anywhere in Fiji and in one month, 73 youths, they have returned to the village because they’ve seen the benefit, they have seen that farming is a career and they can become millionaires.”

He says the same concept can be used with dalo, cassava, and other non-sugar produce if farmers work together with FCLC and relevant stakeholders. The FCLC currently has more than 38,000 registered farmers.

Source; https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/yaqona-demand-sees-youth-returning-to-villages-fclc/?fbclid=IwAR3gZ09ERnj9NzpztkTNfyzVGQ8ojleAJD6-h6GJbH4K5yDlEL-E48vii7c

Bula Vinaka Wakanavu Fiji Kava Distributer!

Providing employment, training, revenue and opportunities for the local people in the remote village of Nabua. Empowering young and old kava farmers who are proud to invest in their future and the future of their nation’s economy.

Presenting young grounded and enthusiastic Kava Farmers at Nabua Village, Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu Fiji.

#Wakanavu
#FijiKavaExporter
#PasifikaAgriculturalEconomicEmpowerment
#YouthsInKavaIndustry
#KavaIsOurGreenGold
#KavaWorld

Shout out to one of the States Polynesian International Kava Distributer Pure kava 🥥🙌🙌 🇹🇻 🇹🇴

Here is Lei D. Tapa the Founder of Women Of The Carolinas Fight Life Pro Wrestler's feedback on how Kava in general has helped soothe her superior sportive life .

" Pure Kava is AWSOME! I’m a pro wrestler, MMA fighter and boxer! This product has definitely helped me relax my mind and body after long hard weeks of training. Some days my body is so sore and tired but still not relaxed and having Pure Kava has helped me with that RELAXATION! I recommend this Kava to everyone and anyone! 💚"

Benoit Hannequin the friendly owner of Buddha Nak serves the best yet most affordable Vanuatu Kava juices and Vanuatu Kava Powder at his Kava Spirit Import , rue Raphaël Ménard Rivière Salée Noumea. 🇳🇨🇻🇺

If there are two things that any genuine friendly kava bar owner would love to share is the Love and Endowment of their kava products. 🧡💚🖤

Alee its bout Kava O'clock! Stop for a shell or two at Buddha Nak ! 🙌🥥

#CelebratingBuddhaNakKavaBar
#CelebratingKavaSpiritImport
#VanuatuKavaInNoumea
#OneKavaTribe
#NamasteKavaLover
#KavaWorld

The homeboys at Nakamal Le Mask posing whilst brewing up that good kava roots deliciousness 😄 

Can spot some cuzzies from Vanuatu too in the kava squad ! 

Keep Shell'n that good kava lovin brothers. 🇳🇨🇻🇺

#NakamalLeMask
#NewCaledoniaKavaBar
#OneKavaTribe
#KavaWorld 🧡💚🖤

Kava-world.com has been pre-selected by CTA for the AgriHack 2019 (international innovative IT awards in Ghana). 
We are the only IT project from the South Pacific who made it to the semi-final... 🤞

Our innovative web page is not only promoting kava in general but also promoting all the stakeholders of the kava industry, from the farmers to the kava bars, wether they are in Big Bay Bush in Santo Vanuatu, VanuaLevu in Fiji, Malaita in the Solomons islands ,Eua’ and Vava’u in Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Florida or Brooklyn!

Our plateform is empowering the farmers -and the other stakeholders of the chain (small urban kava bars etc.) by giving them a better access to information and access to a great tool of communication... 
We already have the biggest database available online with more than 600 Kava bars register worldwide. This is only the beginning.

Kava is our culture our custom our love our heart our green gold, let’s all promote it to develop our islands 🌴
Like us ❤️Love us ❤️Promote us ❤️Share us ❤️Follow us

Thank you Telecom Vanuatu Limited for the support.
#Vanuatu

CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
OCP Group
Africa GreenTec

Kava Kauai is a family owned and operated business and takes pride in the fast, friendly service they have been providing their customers since 1996. Located on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai (pronounced ka-why-ee).

Kava has been an important part of the Kava Kauai tribes lives for over 20 years. They enjoy drinking kava and sharing kava with their friends and family in their Kava Circle. It is believed that kava is a healthy, peaceful antidote to the stress of modern day life styles. It is Kava Kauai's hope, that by using kava, their customers will enjoy more peace and harmony in their lives.

Here is an image from Vanuatu last year 2018 of the young men showing off their Kava haul! Almost ready to pack and ship to Kava Kauai Vanuatu!

KAVA WORLD THE ONLY IT PROJECT IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN THE SEMI-FINALISTS OF PITCH AGRIHACK 2019

We have just been selected by CTA for their innovative IT awards for 2019, and are the only IT project from the South Pacific who made it to the semi-final... 🤞

Our innovative web page is not only promoting kava in general but also promoting all the stakeholders of the kava industry, from the farmers to the kava bars, wether they are in Big Bay Bush in Santo Vanuatu, VanuaLevu in Fiji, Malaita in the Solomons islands ,Eua’ and Vava’u in Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Florida or Brooklyn!

Our plateform is trying to empower the farmers -and the other stakeholders of the chain ( small urban kava bars etc.) by giving them a better access to information and access to a great tool of communication...
We already have the biggest database available online with more than 600 Kava bars register worldwide. This is only the beginning.

In the coming weeks , access to Kava-world.com will be free of charge and no longer use data for the Vanuatu users, thanks to our partner TVL

Kava is our culture our custom our love our heart our green gold, let’s all promote it to develop our islands 🌴

Like us ❤️Love us ❤️Promote us ❤️Share us ❤️Follow us

https://www.cta.int/en/article/semi-finalist-start-ups-of-pitch-agrihack-2019-announced-sid00c06b058-6a9b-4589-b78c-256227fc8629?fbclid=IwAR2SkEMbsCWF93lyz3i7sJ8FgQk1SR5e8hjvou3GTTnwYHtaTVR0kVO1uWc

Proud Tongan family oriented Kava Producers at Kava Life 🙌🇹🇴🌱🥥

Shell'n with you the best of VAVA'U Kava.

#KavaLifeTonga
#VavaUKava
#RegisteredKavaWorldKavaProducer
#KavaPasifika
#KavaTribe
#KavaWorld🧡💚🖤

All the best for the newly appointed Vanuatu Minister of Agriculture 😁 honourable MP Matai Seremaiah !

#VanuatuNewlyAppointedMinisterOfAgriculture2019

'Kava is truly a gift from the Heavens. A social and ceremonial drink which promotes relaxation and euphoria. It’s just what all we humans need to de-stress and remember our humanity.'

#NaluKavaBar
#KavaHumanNurture
#OneWorldOneKavaTribe
#KavaWorld

Shell'n to a melomelo shell at MeloMelo Kava Bar (Downtown Santa Cruz)🥥🧡💚🖤🥴🤙🤙

A Kava Bar is a humble place of endowment, the cavity of kava roots deliciousness and kava roots nurture.

Despite its modern nor cultural structure it is a peaceful farea that unites kava tribes .Its experience created a depth of gratitude in the community that is still felt thousands of years ago.

Kava-World humbly thanks you all Kava Lovers 🧡💚🖤

Presenting Mystic Water Kava Bar Huntington Beach

#LoveToAllKavaBarsAroundTheWorld
#OneKavaTribe
#MysticWaterKavaBarHuntingtonBeach
#KavaWorld

Is it Bula O'Clock yet? ⏰🥥

This ones for you Kava Tribes at Miami 🙌

With Syndicate Kava Bar & Tap Room Monday special “All You Can Drink Kava for $25” it’s Bula Time all day & all night!

#KavaIsOnlyDrankByTheGods
#SyndicateKavaBarAndTapRoom
#BulaOclockAtMiami
#KavaWorld

Shell out to Modernesian Kava Social !!  🙌 🥥 🥥

Kava tastes better on Fridays! Especially when it’s fresh green awa from Hawaii!

If your around 4312 North Florida Ave Tampa, Florida 33603 there is always time to shellebrate Aloha Friday with the kava tribes at Modernesian Kava Social

Open 4pm - 1am.

Aloha Hours 4-8pm BOGO House Kava 🥥

#OneShellOneBowlOneTribe
#ModernesianKavaSocial
#ShellebratingKava
#KavaWorld 🧡💚🖤

The Nakava Bar is believed to be one of the first kava bars in the States 20 years ago when the kava was first introduced in the continental US .

Located at 140 NW 20th St Boca Raton, Florida it is a family oriented kava bar and serves both kava and kratom tea.

Their drinks are unique. Their effects are euphoric and stress relieving while some act as a social lubricant, making it great for a social setting or anytime a customer wants to wind down and feel good. Some of their drinks can help with relaxation, whilst others are more energetic and stimulating, and some like Kava can even help manage muscle pains.

#FirstKavaBarInTheUS
#NakavaBarFlorida
#OpenSince20YearsAgo
#USKavaBarHistory
#KavaWorld

They strictly do not serve alcohol.

Whats Good! Whats Good ! It's about time now !

Someone please give us a guess on which Kava Bar is this in Vila ?

#CelebratingShefaDayWithAKavaShell
#KavaOclock
#KavaLovers
#KavaBarGuessingGame
#KavaWorld 🧡💚🖤

Kava blind test: out of 15 participants, we had 9 winners.

Last night at Lenamy Kava Bar we have Sam whom also lives in the area won the Blind Kava Tasting award by guessing the two kava juices right; one six years fom Malekula and the other three years from Epi.

Irene from the Kava World Team presenting the winners award to Sam the winner of Lenamy Blind Kava Test event

It is quite obvious that most locals are very well aware of the different varieties of kava in Vanuatu, hence also differentiating where they are from and their given age groups. To add that, just like any international wine testing; different varieties of kava comes with their own unique scent from a sweet to a much more bitter peppery smell.

That same night we have had a participant that does not consume kava but insisted on smelling the kava shells instead; interestingly he also end up guessing the two shells right.

So Kava Lovers what are your thoughts?

Join us for our next Thursday's kava night event and share us your experiences in this Blind Kava Testing !

Greetings Olgeta Kava Lovers! 🧡💚🖤

Thursday 13th June, Kava-World will be hosting a Kava event at the Lenamy Kava Bar, Bahai area.

A abit of the Lenamy Kava Bar insight; Lenamy is owned by Paul Telukluk one of Vanuatu's all time favorite betanque player and is now managed by Patrick Basilio with given six windows serving the best of both Malekula, Ambrym and Ambae kava.

Lenamy manager, Patrick Basilio serving Kava from Malekula at wIndow 1

The Nakamal opens from 4 PM evey afternoon except for Sundays and has an open betanque court for customers and residence around the area to play a match or two whilst enjoying their kava.

Customers playing betanque matches and relaxing with their kava shells

The Kava World Team will be hosting this event before 7 PM and the Blind Kava Tasting will commence right at 7.

Lukim Yufala !

Ale wan shell nomo 😉😌

After cyclone Pam, like most Vanuatu kava bars; Stella View with the new management team picked itself up, wipe the slate clean and bloomed into one of the most recently inspiring kava bars in Vila.

Felixino Bule the new manager has been running the bar for over two years with the reinforcement of his dear wife, they muddle through it all building a little shop that also sells alcohol beverages and a kava bar that only serves the best of Beleru's kava juices.

He is also an individual farmer from South Santo that owns a four years plus kava plantation and ships to Vila every week to mainly serve here at Stella View.

A shot of Felixino Bule's Kava 4 YO Kava Plantation at South Santo, Beleru

A shot of Felixino Bule's Kava Plantation at South Santo, Beleru

Owing to the fact that Felixino is a passionate kava farmer and believes in the agricultural movement of empowerment to the indigenous Ni Vans; he succour and ships kava from other Beleru farmers and sells them as green kava roots for 1200 Vatu / per Kg in his kava bar on a daily basis, " I don't insist on selling my kava roots as it is already served in my kava bar, however I do prioritize in selling green kava roots from the other additional South Santo farmers... I want to feel and know that I can help them as much as God has blessed me with little I own it is my calling from the most high to do so."

In essence thank you Felixino Bule for sharing your journey with Kava World, considering only 15 mins or so drive from the town away from the hustle and bustle Stella View is by far the only kava bar yet where you can relax and enjoy your shell with a view ontop of a tree and catch a sight of a ranch like Stella Mare country side.

Sometimes the most simple and elegant solution to a problem has actually been known for a very long time. We saw an example of this last year in the University of Minnesota’s pancreatic cancer drug, derived from the traditional Chinese tea ingredient known as the Thunder God Vine. This year, University of Minnesota researchers explore another ancient plant’s capacity to solve modern-day problems.

Source: Biotech Calendar

The plant in question is formally named Piper methysticum, though many know it as kava. Kava roots are a common ingredient in traditional beverages on the islands of the South Pacific like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Western Samoa. Kava has been linked previously to the prevention and treatment of lung cancer, and with good reason: although smoking rates in the South Pacific islands are comparable to those of the United States, lung cancer rates are 90 to 95 percent lower in the islands.

(Ground kava root, ready to be mixed with water to create a traditional South Pacific beverage. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons and Ib0ga)

The reason kava hasn’t grown immensely popular as a cancer combatant is because one of the occasional side effects of its derivatives is liver damage. This slowed the spread of kava to the point where today’s commercially available kava supplements are diluted enough so that they won’t cause liver damage, but the trade-off is that they’re not potent enough to do much in the way of cancer.

"I wouldn’t recommend using kava supplements on the market today with the hopes of receiving cancer prevention benefits,” says Chengguo Xing, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in a UMN press release. “Although occasional use of currently available kava supplements is likely to have a low risk of liver injury, they may not safely provide the intended chemopreventative benefits.”

(The kava plant above ground, courtesy Wikimedia Commons and Forest & Kim Starr)

Xing and his fellow bioresearchers at University of Minnesota have been looking into the reasons why the kava root has these positive and negative effects, which previously were not very well understood. Their lab work allowed them to distinguish which compounds had medicinal potential and which were potentially harmful, and designed a drug with only the beneficial properties. In clinical trials with mice, this drug prevented the formation of 99 percent of lung cancer tumors even in the presence of tobacco carcinogens. This is an unprecedented rate of success in the field and the team eagerly moves toward human trials.  

Source; https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/health-well-being/minnesota-research-shows-potency-of-kava/?fbclid=IwAR3Mohby4-IgGjbGprLrpB4UhU8MQ_8_B6kqcst99fat7P6hVI0EVfKt_kI

Port Vila Municipal Wardens have been urged to inspect the health and safety standards in more than 100 kava bars around Port Vila.

The wardens have received instructions to start inspecting all kava bars operating in Port Vila Monday next week to observe if the kava bar owners are abiding with the standards required by Business By-Law Levy Fee 20/2000.

A fundamental duty of the Port Vila Municipal Council as explained in section 25 (1) in the Municipalities Law is the town authority must ensure “to safeguard the public health” of the citizens of Port Vila.

As such the Port Vila Municipality passed a by-law to defend the healthiness of kava drinkers in Port Vila by ensuring that kava bar owners guarantee that the kava handlers in the kava bars are clean and healthy – always wash their hands with water and soap before handling kava.

The by-law further prevents the person who sells kava from smoking and spitting close to where kava is sold, the person who sells kava in the nakamal must wear an apron, a head cover and hand gloves.

There are many other details which the kava bar owners require to have in his kava bar before the Port Vila Municipality can issue a Kava Business Levy to the owner of the kava nakamal.

If the kava bar owners fail to satisfy the standards expected by the Municipal Wardens from the 10th of July to July 31st the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards could order the temporary closure of the kava bars.

Source: http://dailypost.vu/news/kava-bar-standards-under-scrutiny/article_7513994a-a145-5273-b8ab-170a9cbfc300.html?fbclid=IwAR3lXTsPhrAMnDDO82FM54E8aPbDF6eunmLU-DWeEAw6bBrw2KwlwaFP9PU

The President of the Vanuatu Liberal Movement and same time Minister of Finance, Gaetan Pikioune, has revealed that a Chinese businessman is selling powder kava in China for Vt36,000 per kilo.

He made the revelation during the official opening of his Party Congress at his nakamal in Luganville, Santo.

Minister Pikioune told congress delegates that during his recent official visit to China, he took one kilo of a powder kava with him to share with his hosts.

He was told that a Chinese businessman is selling Vanuatu dried kava in Beijing. He said they asked the Chinese man to buy a kilo packet of powder kava only to be told that the price for a kilo of the powder kava from Vanuatu is Vt36,000 per packet.

Mr. Pikioune told delegates at the party congress that such issues must be addressed because this is unfair to Vanuatu kava famers as well as exporters and the country as a whole.

“The price of our green gold has soared in China, leaving farmers in Vanuatu to dwell on lower market prices, and losing out,” said Minister Pikioune.

Source: http://dailypost.vu/news/vt-for-powder-kava-in-china/article_c360dd5d-4bf8-506c-a3e3-d5555aae89f2.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR3YfraWozaY8smG4ckXZ1W35tbcsXcmtab86SmgntwBgNL8o7b7hjR3dVY

Hay Kava Lovers ! 🧡💚🖤

This Thursday's Blind Kava Test Event will be taking place down at Alliance Francaise from 5 PM

In the meantime please come by and say "Hi" to the team as we will be doing short Kava-World demo presentations as of today onward; enlightening you with this exciting kava world platform as it is the first of it's kind and a new initiative altogether in Vanuatu !

We have had a good number of engagement from the interested public during the Green Wave opening yesterday afternoon. Kava-worl.com is not just a fun social bridging-digital content between kava farmers, kava bars and kava consumers but as the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ralph Regenvanu shared during the opening speech it is one of the many initiatives that is prior economical resourcefulness, informative inventiveness and has great capability of the overall agricultural sustainability and development within this nation and around the world.

#GreenWaveMarket2019
#ThursdayBlindKavaTest
#AgriculturalSustainabilityAndDevelopment
#EconomicalResourcefulness
#FirstKavaWorldInitiativeOfItsKind
#KavaWorld

Masifilo is a native Hawaiian of Tongan descent who founded Kavafied, a company that runs a commercial farm in Tonga and sells other items connected to kava consumption

'I always gravitated to it, not just as a social lubricant, but also for the relaxing effect after a stressful day or a sports-related injury – especially inflammation. It's known as a natural anti-inflammatory,' explained Matthew Masifilo, the founder of kavafied and a former Stanford University defensive lineman who switched to the offensive line during a brief NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Like many football players of Polynesian descent, Masifilo was hardly new to kava when he began using it for pain relief and sharing it with his uninitiated teammates during his playing days.

A native of Hawaii, Masifilo's father hails from Tonga, one of a handful of countries in the Pacific that are responsible for the entire world's kava production.

Kava also benefits from the fact that professional sports leagues have yet to ban it, so players can utilize the bitter brew without fear of failing a drug test. And maybe equally important, kava offers a social outlet for players without the dangers of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Several Miami Dolphins players, including three-time Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, have stated publicly that they use kava as an alternative to opioids. 

Veteran center Mike Pouncey is one of several Miami Dolphins players who uses kava

By offering the raw materials and the AluBall, which allows for quicker preparation, such a company could make kava accessible to a new generation of athletes. A supposedly safe, natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory that loosens muscles and alleviates anxiety while promoting social, team-building behavior is a no-brainer for both professionals and amateurs.

But as South Pacific farmers can attest, the kava industry is at the mercy of the region's violently erratic weather patterns. That's why, according to Masifilo, researching sustainable ways to cultivate the plant is the best way to protect the industry.

'The only barrier is the supply of kava,' he said. 'The supply will always limit its growth.'

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5298787/Athletes-use-kava-instead-supplements-opioids.html

An interesting number of registered Kava Bars from Hawaii given now heading over 600 Kava-World Bars in the https://kava-world.com .

Celebrating Bayfront Kava Bar from the Big Islands serving the best of both Hilo kava juices; 277 Keawe St Hilo, Hawaii 96720

https://the-kava-world.com/nakamals/hilo-bay-kava-bar/

Over 80+ Kava Sellers now registered in the https://the-kava-world.com/producers. 
And often then represent a whole community of growers.

Focus on MasterKava from Ratu Dovi Rd, Laucala Beach Estate.

Shared on here is a compelling image of an 8 year old 'waka/kava' from Kadavu.

Enjoy and have a great weekend kava lovers ! ✨✨

In essence Kava-World would like to thank Rachel Voiala, the owner of the Voiala Kava Bar Anamburu which was once known as 'Fes Bucket Anamburu' to allow this Kava-World night event.

Rachel owns the main Voiala Kava Bar headquarter at Bladinier area along with the Voiala Kava Bar at Erakor Halfroad and she rents the third branch which is where Kava-World host the event at Anamburu area from the Boe families.

Marc Gerard the PDT Director and Rachel Voiala the owner of Voiala Kava Bar during the Kava Night event

On Thursday 30th May, Kava-World held an entrance with the public at the Voiala Kava Bar. As busy as the bar already is we had some captivating feedback for the first time from the kava drinkers right after the short demo presentation. These feedback give recognition and acknowledgement for the overall usefulness of the tools and information presented in the https://the-kava-world.com/ platform.

In addition, we have had other engaging feedback from other interested kava bar owners during the event whom wish to invite the team to their kava bars and enlighten them more with the Kava-World platform and the Blind Kava Test.

Rachel made sure the team had two best varieties of Borogo kava; one being from Santo at Mavunlep village and the other from Central Maewo at Nasawa village. Voiala Kava Bar wish to impart to the kava-lovers, it is guaranteed that these are the two top islands as well as Malekula Island that the Voiala kava juices are produced from.

Blind Kava Test with the two varieties of kava ; one from Santo 4 - 5 years and the other from Maewo 5 - 6 years.

There was a good number of participants during the Blind Kava Test and the lucky winner was George, who is one of the students from the 'Association Bilingual National Blo Vanuatu'. George who is also intrigued with the overall Kava-World platform is ecstatic along with his other AUF team to be part of the nights event.

To put it concisely, every Thursday night the Kava-World host kava night events at different kava bars within different areas around the Port Vila town. Each event brings forth different experiences and an interesting session all together.

More stories on the insights of the Voiala Kava Bar to be posted soon, Stay with us and Stay Bless Kava Lovers !

Max is a 24 year old individual farmer that loves reggae music and has been planting kava for nearly 10 years.

Max devotes himself to what he does best and that involves everything to do with agricultural development. Thus with his kava plantation and yearly sales at Anamburu he aims to finance his tuition fees to complete his agricultural courses at Emalus Campus USP.

An interesting kava planting tip Max added; "In Maewo the kava farmers usually plant water taros in between each kava crops near a river site, this traditional planting method is practiced for generations and it has helped us with our kava crops as we do not usually receive alot of rainfalls compared to Pentecost Island ".

In all, planting water taro in between kava crops not only keeps the kava plant hydrated from direct sunlight but the water taro itself also helps act as an anti Die Back Disease defendant. Given that, Max wish to encourage and maintain the traditional agricultural planting techniques and cultural control of kava viruses.

#MaewoKava
#YoungKavaFarmerRaisingMoneyForHisUniTuitionFees
#TraditionalPlantingMethods
#CulturalControlKavaPlantingTechniques
#KavaWorld 🧡💚🖤

Frank King is the current Director of the Kava House Ltd Vanuatu, he acquired his dad's business 14 years ago. Frank is buying knoble dry kava from the islands especially Pentecost and Ambrym to export to international markets such as Noumea and USA.

Sun drying knoble kava

Furthermore, the Kava House hopes to promote Vanuatu knoble kava varieties by setting high standards of product finishing, quality control and powder kava service delivery to local and international customers. The five core values that make Kava House Vanuatu of top priority to the establishment and its operations is that it aims to ensure the Kava produce used is grown in organic conditions by indigenous farmers utilizing traditional cultivation and harvesting methods.

Manufacturing of Kava House powder kava

The Kava House also provides a kava tour of their kava industry and educates mainly tourists about Vanuatu kava.

Try Vanuatu dry knoble kava ! Designed ideally for you to enjoy kava where ever you are in the world!

On Thursday 23rd May, Kava-World hosted another interesting Blind Kava tasting at Jays Kava Bar !

This time the public were given two different shells of Borogo kava from Pentecost; the first shell ranges at 6 years of age and the second borogo shell is at 3 years of age.

We had about 11 participants and the two winners Rachel and Mia luckily guessed their shells right. " We could guess the 6 years shell right because right away it made our tongue numb after the first sip, haha !" added the two optimistic winners.

3

Image 1
The two Bind Kava test winners; Rachel from the left and Mia at the right

Another kava winning award was presented as promised to last Thursday ICT's Blind Kava Test winner Christoper Juergen Calangis.

4

Image. 2

PDT Consulting Director Marc Gerard at the left and the ICT Blind Kava Test winner Jurgen Calangis on the right posing after the awards presentation.

Okay Kava-Lovers keep an eye out for our next Thursday Kava-World event !!

China food mechanical scale is mostly used to weigh kava at Anamburu Kava market. These iron spring scales range from 10 Kg to 20 Kg depending on the sellers preference and how they manage their kava products according to the buyers market choice from whole green kava roots to kava chips.

Image 1.
20 Kg Food Mechanical scale is used here to weigh a buyers green kava

Image 2
Here is a 10 Kg scale that another farmer from Pentecost use to weigh his kava products at the Anamburu market.

Furthermore it is also known that different scales are used in different kava market enterprises. The real question is; given different types of scales used, does it make a huge difference to the current market quantity of each kava products?

According to most farmers and sellers response, it does make a huge impact to the sales when you use two different sets of scales to weigh the same given kava product.

Helo Olgeta manples and kava lovers 🧡💚🖤
On Thursday, Kava World will be hosting another Kava event at📍 Jays Kava Bar, Nambatu area! 🥥

Activities 🗒
📌 Until 7 PM: The team will be doing individual demos to
the customers and interested kava professionals
(nakamal owners, Kava Seller) 📲
📌 At 7 PM: We offer a free Kava tasting with a blind test.
1000 VT shells to win 🤩
📌Then we end the night's event by presenting both awards from last Thursday ICT’s kava event winner Christophe Juergen Calangis along with our new next winner and finally a small toktok about Jay’s Nakamal showcasing Kava World's ultimate platform:

 https://the-kava-world.com/

#KamfinemAotWanemKavaBaiYumiPresentemLongBlindKavaTasting #NoMestemKavaEventBlongYumi #YumiEveriwaniWelkam #KavaiKikWeh🤲🏾🥥🥴🥴

COMMON NEM; Kava Dieback

SCIENTIFIC NEM; Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)

DISTRIBUTION BLONG DISEASE: Raon long wol, mo long Pacific hemi kat long Cook Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Tonga mo yumi long Vanuatu.

OL FRENS BLONG DISEASE: Hemi wan vaeres we i kat plante fren blem olsem pumpkin, banana, watermelon, capsicum, tobacco, passion fruit, peanuts mo ol nara legumes blong yumi olsem snake beans mo plante moa.

OL SYMPTOMS MO LAEF CYCLE: Ol fes saen hemi yellow or waet spots long ol yang leafs. Hemia oli singaotem mosaic symptom mo hemi mekem leaf hemi deform moa no save grow gud.

Image 1. Early symptom blong Dieback Kava disease long ol young kava leaves

Spos yu katem aot stem blong kava wetem ol yellow or waet spot leafs ia, bai yu luk ol brown lines olsem ol smol smol holes insaed long ol stem. Hemia hemi stat blong mekem stem ia i kam blak, sopsop moa roten insaed.

Image 2. Symptoms of dieback Kava Stem

HOW NAO IA HEMI SPREAD; I kat two weis we vaeres ia hemi save spread lem;

• Wan hemi ol smol smol betbet nem blong olgeta hemi Alphids (Image 3) taem oli kakai ol plants we i infected finis oli end up blong passem i ko long ol nara plants wetem ol parts blong maot blong olgeta.
• Moa tu, spos yu breedem bakeken ol mama stem blong kava we hemi bin kasem vaeres ia bai hemi save spreadem disease ia bakeken long ol new kava growths.

WANEM NAO IMPACT BLEM? Hemia hemi wan serious disease long kantri blong yumi mo hemi kat wan high kava-loss reputaesen finis long ol nara kantris raon long yumi finis.

WANEM YUMI MAS MEKEM? Hemi impoten blong yumi mas stap inspectem gud oltaem kava planteisen blong yumi mo lukaot from ol early symptoms olsem ol yellow mo waet yang leafs mo ol stem we i stat blong roten.

HOW NAO YUMI SAVE MANAGEM? CULTURAL CONTROL hemi wan wei nomo we i save managem die back.

OL STEPS BLONG FOLEM BIFO YU PLANT:

• Planem kava kolosap long ol bigfala tree, kraon hemi mas rich mo fertile gud wetem ol organic matta from nomo se ol kava crops we hemi healthy oli kat moa chance blong resistem moafitem aot infection ia.
• Yumi mas usum ol healthy planting materiels nomo! Tabu blong usum ol cuttings blong ol disease plants, no matta spos hemi luk healti i stap, hemi wan bigfala risk tumas spos yu tekem disisen ia. Yumi mas usum ol cuttings blong ol plantation we oli neva showem eni symptoms blong disease ia.
• Mek sua se yu kat ol helti nursery cuttings oltaem mo checkem gud olgeta spos oli nokat eni saen blong disease ia bifo yu tekem olgeta i ko long bigfala planteisen. Mo tu no forgetem blong destroyem eni disease plants we yu save faenem.

OL STEPS BLONG FOLEM TAEM YU PLANT:

• Hemi impotent blong yumi mas stap removem aot ol weed oltaem long planteisen blong yumi.
• Folem tradisenel planting method blong yumi olsem planem ol nara crops weh hemi no fren blong dieback disease long medel blong wan wan kava roots blong yu. Sam long ol dieback resistant crops ia hemi: taro, cabbage, banana, manioc, lemon, pawpaw, sugarcane mo yam.
• Taem yu prunem kava crops blong yu, mek sua se yu brekem stem antap long fes node, mo tabu blong yusum wan naef from naef hemi esi blong spreadem vaeres. Kolectem eni stem or leaf mo tekem aot lo planteisen mo afta yu berem or bonem long faea. Plis andastanem se pruning tecnic ia hemi wok gud wetem ol kava we i kat 1 yia i ko antap nomo, hemia we hemi yang tumas yu mas rootem aot nomo long karen mo replacem wetem wan niu helti cutting.

OL STEPS BLONG TEKEM AFTA HAFEST : Kolektem mo ponem ol leafs, stems mo ol pispis toti ol baot.

WANEM NAO SAMFALA KEMIKEL CONTROL: Kemikel control hemi nogud blong disease ia mo i nokat eni kemikel we save killem disease ia long ol infected kava plants blong yumi

Source:
http://www.pestnet.org/fact_sheets/kava_dieback_160.pdf

During the ICT days at the Convention Center, presenting Kava-world.com , Pacific Digital Transformation Consulting won the best Entrepreneurship award. 
We believe it is only the beginning of a long and passionate story with kava lovers.
This award is a demonstration that ni-vanuatu consumers need tailored digital products, with a content specifically designed. 
We celebrated with a few strong shells :)

The whole week, we had excellent networking opportunities with colleagues, providers, sponsors, media.
Bravo to the organizers and associated institutions, Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator, Vanuatu , OGCIO, Vanigf

Pssst kava lovers! 🧡💚🖤

Don’t miss the bind kava test on Thursday 16th May during the ICT Day ! Participants will be given three different shells of kava varieties ranging from Santo, Pentecost and South-West Bay Malekula .🥥🤲🏾

The ICT Day program is linked below and the Blind Kava Test should take place from 5pm -6pm during the ‘ BREAK AND EXHIBITION TOUR’ right before the Live Entertainments. 🕺🏿💃🏾

Let’s see if you can guess which kava right 👌🏾

GoodLuck!✨

https://ictdays.gov.vu/schedule

#HappinessInAKavaShell
#SouthWestBayKava

"Take What You Need "

#PeaceInMind#Relaxation#Freedom#Passion#KavaLove#GoodOldUncleBob

Thank you Sano's Kava Bar for the appealing event on Thursday 9th May! Another free blind kava test was offered for the customers to be able to identify three different shells of kava; ranging from a 6 years old Kelai from Epi, a 3 years old Borogo from Pentecost and a 5 years old Red Hand/ Borogo all the way from Maewo.

A good number of captivated participants took part in the game from locals to expats and again Congratulations to the 5 lucky winners.

See you all next Thursday this time during the ICT Day !

Awards presentation of the winners

20 VT Kakai mama's feeling sophisticated !

Customers enjoying the blind test presentation and relaxing with kava

Paul was a farmer in Pentecost and has been now a trader in Vila for 8 years.

"there are 7 main types of kava in Pentecost". He told us an interesting legend about kava, spirit of peace, that came from a woman's grave

Thank you Roita Nakamal for this great event last night. Merci Danstan Hilton!
We offered a free blind test: among customers, who could identify a melo melo, a borogo, and a Velaso (from Santo)? Congrats to the 3 winners (a woman, Lisa, amongst them:). 
See you next Thursday in another nakamal.

Kava-world.com is a highly innovative solution in Vanuatu, it is already a source of inspiration for other modern, digital, collaborative tools. The project is an echo to main objectives defined by the National Kava Strategy 2015-2025: “develop and imbed quality consciousness throughout the industry; Develop the framework that ensures that kava produced meets internal and external market expectations and encourage value adding; do things differently now to take advantage of new opportunities or create new opportunities”.

Kava-world.com‘s mission is to contribute to the development and the modernization of the kava industry, thanks to digital solutions. It eases social inclusion in the kava value chain.

Kava industry is key in Vanuatu, with about 25,000 households engaged in some part of the kava value chain (around 40% of all households, most of whom are kava growers). This commodity is already the main income source in many islands, and has a fantastic growth potential, reflected by international trade. In Vanuatu, kava is a traditional, legitimate, quality product.

Yet, there is a huge lack of information, at all levels, which by definition hides opportunities, and slows down the market.

The vision is to enable a fun, collaborative and useful social network, all about kava. Kava-world.com attracts on a same platform consumers, kava bars holders, kava producers, kava exporters, and other service providers (B2B market, shipping, grinding, etc.).

Borogo small hands. 5 years. Pentecost

All their family is planting kava. They come to Efaté for a month,sell their kava and then go back to Epi. "We used to live by the sea, now we have moved our village to the bush, close to the plantations, because kava must grow far from salted water".

Those ladies sometimes drink kava and it helps them relax when they have sore joints".

Kava-world.com organized an event on Thursday 25th of April. Thank you very much Leene for hosting! And congrats to Eric, who won 1000 vatus of kava shells for the best contribution on the nakamal's group page.
 https://the-kava-world.com/groups/?11-windows-fw-4/

Big space, 2 pools, a store, 11 windows. No alcohol:)

Anamburu Kava Market

The Director General of the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Tourism Mr Roy Mickey Joy revealed that the market of Vanuatu Kava in New Caledonia is huge and that the existing kava industry in Vanuatu is low.

In relation with the Trade Agreement between the Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and the President of the Government of the New Caledonia Mr Philipe Germain, the DG of TCT continues to emphasize on the fact that the international demand of Vanuatu Kava to New Caledonia is huge and strongly urged and encourage Vanuatu kava farmers to re consider planting more kava for the new market in the New Caledonia.

"There are 6,000 Ni- Vans living in New Caledonia and there are so many kava bars in Noumea and New Caledonia. all well organized, well run and that need Vanuatu Kava, which the Prime Minister's delegation was very impressed with," Mr. Joy and the President of the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI ) Shaun Gilchrist conveyed on Buzz FM 96 yesterday Monday 25th February.

Read more in todays Daily Post Issue 5648 . DAILYPOST.VU

Mr. Roy was also awarded the Lini Day award on Thursday 21st February last week to commemorate late Father Walta Lini. He was being acknowledge for his achievement of pushing forward the potential International market of Vanuatu Kava.

'On September 7^th 2016 in the Embassy of the Republic of Vanuatu in Brussels, HE Ambassador Joy and his Team along with the representatives of the of the ACP‐EU TBT Programme Management Unit met to receive the findings and the presentation of the work of a Legal Expert who has recently been engaged and Commissioned by the TBT PMU on behalf of the Government of Vanuatu to conduct and carry out an in depth technical assessment and evaluation on the state of play of Kava in Vanuatu..,

Ms Maja Sandic presents her Kava Report to Ambassador Joy

Vanuatu and New Caledonia signed on Wednesday, February 13th, a commercial agreement project! It will allow New Caledonia and Vanuatu to increase their trade exchanges in a complementary way. Kava, among other Vanuatu local products, should thus be able to be more easily exported. This reconciliation testifies to Vanuatu's economic dynamism.

The whole project of agreement is linked blow:

https://issuu.com/carolinemoureaux/docs/2019.02.13_dp_sommet_nc-vanuatu?fbclid=IwAR0ZKBwDhqyJl8b7dz3Bf5_6lEZXH3IRo1eW8bwMFmTI03GQ51L846bDKUs

Vanuatu and New Caledonia 2019 Trading Agreement

With the rapid change of this wet and cool weather and after the come down of TC Oma, the nation is most likely to get caught with cold and flu symptoms along with other complex viruses.

Patient Sick from the Cold and Flu

Kava is known to be an effective natural cold and flue remedy for adults . It not only helps eliminate the cold & flue viruses but it helps with the breathing interaction between the lungs as a result allows the patient to sleep well during the night.

Kava is the natural cold and flu remedy

Just two shells of good kava for 100 vt and you are sweet !

Early April , 2018 last year after 44 years since Prince Charles parents landed on the Island of Port Vila and with the royal Kava drink that was given to his father Prince Philip, Prince Charles had the token of honoring that special occasion of drinking a shell of Royal kava and was blessed with the high Chief name of Mal Menaringmanu.

Pruning of Kava is best done during wet and cool season of the year especially before cyclone season.

Two months-old Kava plantation, Erromango.

Supplying kava cuttings to other interested kava Farmers...
PC: Joshua Albert

This image is taken during TC Oma

Date: Monday 18th February, 2019

With Tropical Cyclone still looming around and the sea still rough, ships are not running yet in Vanuatu.
To address the shortage and to supply the local Kava bars ( which consumed more than 60 tonnes of fresh Kava weekly), Matthias from Bonmil chartered a flight from Lonorore South Pentecost, and selling Borogu kava at 1300 Vatu per kilo.✈️
But more interesting is this morning at Anabru market the Kava grown on Efate:
Below is Samuel, from Tanna, a young farmer from Teouma proudly displaying his Nikawa Pia, one of the top noble Kava from Tanna Island. 
The Kava look slightly young , probably 2-3 years but Please note the amount of lateral roots and how carefully they have been harvested .❤️👍top job!
Pia now selling at Anabru! Go and suppor

Fact N.1 - Kava eases depression and anxiety issues, the kavalactones in the roots are known to positively affect the brain and the nervous system.

Kava fun facts Image 1