Next up on our tour of the Polynesian region of Oceania is the Tubuai Islands.  Much like their cousins to the north in the Tuamotu Archipelago, the people of the Tubuai Islands are technically part of French Polynesia.  This being the case, they also have their own unique culture and relationship with kava-as we will discuss below.  First let’s take a closer look the Tubuai Islands.

The Tubuai Islands

The Tubuai Islands are an archipelago of islands within the Austral Islands chain which in turn is part of the overseas collectivity of France: French Polynesia.  Located on the southern most tip of French Polynesia, these islands are located southwest of the Cook Islands and cover over 800 square miles of the Pacific.  The islands themselves, small in size and number, sustain a year round population of around 6500 Polynesian descendants.

The Tubuai Islands are an extension of an enormous underwater volcano field which runs from the Austral Islands to the Cook Islands.  This volcano field gave birth to the island chain in much the same way the Hawaiian Islands were born.  The archipelago consists of 5 major atolls.  These atolls are Iles Maria, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, and Raivavae.  Let’s take a closer look…

Iles Maria – Originally known as Nororotu, the island is commonly referred to as Maria or Hull Island.  The modern name of Maria is taken from the name of the first whaling vessel, piloted by the American Captain George Washington Gardener, to site the island in 1824.  Maria is the oldest of the islands in the Tubuai chain, and its former volcanic peak has been reclaimed by the sea.  This has left four small, densely forested, islets surrounding a shallow lagoon.  Although currently uninhabited, the island once served as a penal colony.  Today it serves as an occasional source of copra harvesting-one of the region’s number one exports.

Rimatara – Rimatara is the western most island in the Tubuai chain.  Unlike Maria, its neighbor to the East, Rimatara is populated (albeit sparsely) with approximately 800 residents.  The island is an ancient volcanic plateau.  This plateau, over eons of erosion, sea level shifts, and volcanic uplifts have left Rimatara completely encircled with an expansive reef in areas as high as ten feet above sea level.  This reef provides a small but brisk eco-tourism/dive business as well as a natural defense against the rising tides.  The last island in the chain to welcome European settlers, the island was not discovered by western whalers until Captain Samuel Pender Henry made landfall in 1811.  The good captain was shortly followed by Protestant missionaries a decade later in 1821.

Rurutu – Rurutu is the northern most island in the Tubuai Chain and it has taken quite a journey.  As most islands in the area of Oceania, it was originally born from a volcanic hotspot.  The volcanic rift in question is known as Macdonald hotspot.  After migrating away from the Macdonald hotspot, Rurutu fell victim to erosion.  Luckily for the juvenile island, it eventually found its way to another hotspot-the Arago hotspot.  The time spent above this volcanic vent raised the island by nearly 500 feet, giving it the height we see today.  This surge in height exposed a system of sea caves which eventually became home to the Rurutu’s cave dwelling people (making them unique in French Polynesia).  Rurutu has a year round population of approximately 2100 resident.  Every year between January and July, the young men and women of each village prove themselves in a show of strength. Following a custom called “amoraa ofai”, unique to Rurutu, they attempt to lift huge volcanic stones to their shoulders.  The village champions hoist one sacred stone that weighs 330 lbs.  This accomplishment is followed by exuberant feasting and dancing.

Raivavae – Raivavae is one of the central islands in the chain, and is quite similar geographically to its neighbor Rurutu.  Another small atoll, Raivavae subsists on the bounty of the sea, copra exports, and eco-tourism.  The sixteen square miles is home to approximately 800 year round residents.  Like Rimatara, it is completely surrounded by and coral reef which protrudes from the ocean floor.

Tubuai – Tubuai is the main island in the Tubuai chain.  It is both the seat of power for the regional authority and most heavily populated island (home to over 2100 residents).  Like the rest of the chain, the island exists on sustainable farm, the gifts of the Pacific, and eco-tourism (which is a growing business in the region).  An interesting side note; the island was depicted as an island of cannibals in Mutiny on the Bounty.

Tubuai Culture

As with the rest of French Polynesia, the Tubuai Islands were settled thousands of years ago by the Lapida people from Taiwan.  They were great sailors, exploring the ocean in search of new territories.  These future Polynesians had remarkable knowledge of the stars, winds, and ocean currents.  According to some linguists, archaeologists, anthropologists as well as some geneticists, Polynesian ancestors did originate from East Asia but migrated slowly through Melanesia.  They interacted with and mixed extensively with Melanesians, leaving behind their genes and incorporating many Melanesian genes before colonizing the Pacific.

The Tubuais are famous for their arts; elaborate woodcarvings and enormous stone tikis.  Unfortunately, missionaries succeeded in destroying the ancient techniques and today there are almost no traditional artisans. They are also known for their ancient, atonal singing style, said to be the purest representation of pre-contact Polynesian music in French Polynesia

The Tubuai Islands are quite varied and feature limestone caverns, ruined temples (maraes) and hilltop fortresses (pas).  Far removed from the distractions of civilization, these hard working fishermen and farmers live quiet, contented lives in their villages often built of coral limestone.  So isolated from the rest of the Polynesian empire, the Tubuai Islands have developed their own language Tubuai-Rurutu.

Tubuai and Kava

The people of Tubuai drank kava traditionally until it was irradiated by Protestant missionaries in the early 1800’s.  Before that time kava was used in ceremonies to ask forgiveness of a family when and individual has injured someone in that family, to settle disputes (often mediated by the tribal chief), and when asking for a woman’s hand in marriage.  Kava was the societal glue which held the culture together through food times and bad.  It came to symbolize respect for oneself, one’s family, and one’s culture.  Thankfully, with the resurgence of the kava culture as well as nationalist pride, kava has returned to the Tubuai Islands.  Kava has returned to help cement Tubuai’s ancient culture-and we couldn’t be happier.

References

Kava and Medicine: http://sciweb.nybg.org/Science2/pdfs/mb/Kava.pdf
Historical Kava use: http://tinyurl.com/yfqhdqf
Historical Kava Use: http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/13042/1/v7n1-218-221-bookrev.pdf
Historical Kava Use: http://tinyurl.com/yz2gkwo

Kava, the second most widespread intoxicating beverage after alcohol, is a cold herbal drink drunk over much of the Pacific Islands and Hawaii, and might just be an interesting (and much healthier) alternative to hitting the vodka or other narcotics

So what exactly is kava, then? It’s a type of pepper plant which grows over large swathes of the Pacific, and the drink is made from its ground-up roots. Although it’s been drunk for millennia, it wasn’t until the arrival of Captain James Cook’s expedition in 1777 that the Western World first became acquainted with this unassuming shrub. Although its traditional home is thought to be the Republic of Vanuatu, a tiny Micronesian island-state, both Hawaii and Fiji have very strong links with the ‘awa’.

Kava is made by adding water or milk to the powdered root of the plant, vigorously squeezing the powder through a filter and then straining the muddy looking mixture into a bucket through palm fibres. In a modern kitchen, electric blenders and cheesecloth fill in for the more traditional tools; glasses replacing the coconut cups.

So what is it about kava that’s so great anyway? The experience is extremely relaxing; worries fade away, and conversations catch on effortlessly. Although definitely a bit less intense than alcohol, kava has definite potential for intoxication if enough is drunk! Like alcohol, consequences of over-indulging include delights such as falling over, throwing up, and of course, waking up with a splitting hangover, though unlike alcohol metal functions are unimpaired and the negative effects only come on after drinking fairly staggering amounts of the stuff (which, given kava’s horrendous mud-like taste is an impressive feat in itself).

The most noticeable effect of kava is definitely the relaxation. Sometimes even speaking seems a bit too much of an effort, although kava also loosens tongues at least as well as, if not better than, drink. A kava circle with friends is definitely one of the best ways to wile a night away in good conversation; good background music and a hookah also go along well. You can mix kava with alcohol, the alcohol makes the effects of kava a bit stronger and the combination can work very well. Although kava is botanically classed as an ‘intoxicant’ and sometimes as a ‘narcotic’, its effects are very dissimilar to drink. Despite the sociability and  relaxation, which closely resemble drink, there’s no mental stupor, tendency to do idiotic things or aggressiveness.  While to many hardcore drinkers this might all sound a bit dry, it’s a really great experience and I’d almost rate it over drink on some nights. The best thing of all though is that your ability to drive is almost unaffected (though don’t drive if you’ve had a lot of kava).

Kava’s legality, unfortunately, is a bit complicated, at least in Ireland. There was a much hyped kava liver scare in 2001 and since then many health authorities have taken the drastically unnecessary  step of curtailing the supply of kava in their national markets. The culprits in Ireland for this is the Irish Medicines Board, a statutory body that stubbornly refuses to accept the unequivocal conclusion from the medical experts that kava, when only the root is used, is in fact very healthy.  The reason for the scare (and the ominous liver warnings that accompany many kava products), is that a certain unscrupulous German manufacturer once put the wrong part of the  kava plant (stems) into a kava supplement, with fairly grave health consequences for the unfortunate users. It’s since been shown that the stems and leaves of kava are both toxic to the liver, though as these parts are never used in correct preparations of kava, there’s no reason to be either alarmed or to abstain from kava (put it like this, if someone was to make you a cup of coffee from the coffee plant’s roots rather than from its seeds, it probably wouldn’t do you much good either, though the chances of this happening are , like with kava, neglibile) .

Although the EU has seen the light and lifted the ban on importing kava into Europe, the IMB has not been so quick off its feet, and buying kava over the Internet is currently the only way of legally getting kava into Ireland. The best place to buy kava online is Kona Kava Farm (www.konakavafarm.com). I’d advise buying the root powder and order a generous supply (half a kilogram would be a good start). Most importantly, order lots. There’s nothing worse than running out of kava. If you become as much of a kava-boffin as me, running out of kava will send you sulking down to the Carry Out wondering why you didn’t buy more.

by Daniel O’Carroll / Cork, Ireland
Reprinted with permission.  All rights reserved.

Read the “Kava: Worldwide Legal Status” article for in-depth details on the legal status of kava.

Next stop on our tour of the Polynesian region of Oceania is the Tuamotu Archipelago.  Although the Tuamotu Archipelago is not a free standing nation (it is a part of French Polynesia) the fact that it is the largest archipelago in the world warrants a closer look.  Beyond its geographical significance, the Tuamotu Archipelago has a long and rich history with kava.  Before we get to that, let’s explore the archipelago further.

The Tuamotu Archipelago

The Tuamotu Archipelago, officially known by its French name, Archipel des Tuamotu, is a chain of atolls in French Polynesia.  Tuamotu means “islands on the ocean’s back,” and some romantic observers liken them to the backs of surfacing whales. Each is comprised of hundreds of little motus or islets, which are clumps of coral, sand, and limestone strung together to form circular or rectangular shapes of white enclosing blue lagoons. Fringed by white beaches and sprouting lush green coconut groves, the motu are the reality of most people’s South Seas paradise dreams.

The Tuamotu Archipelago forms the largest cluster of atolls (or an archipelago) in the world.  In total there are 73 true atolls, four low coral islands, one raised coral island and one large island-barrier-reef complex.  These atolls and islands span an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe yet only cover a land mass of approximately 345 square miles. The Tuamotu atolls exhibit a wide variety of forms, ranging from tiny circular-shaped atolls to the large elongated structures of atolls.  Some of the atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago are amongst the largest and most impressive of atolls found anywhere on earth.

The Tuamotu Archipelago Environment

The Tuamotu Archipelago’s climate is warm tropical, without much variation between seasons.  The annual average temperature is 79°F.  The Tuamotus have no water resources such as lakes or rivers.  The only source of fresh water is rain water.   Luckily the Tuamotus get around 5 feet of rainfall a year.  This rain comes at a relatively steady rate through the year (as mentioned before, they have very little seasonal variation in climate).  The sparse soil of the coral islands does not permit diverse vegetation. Unfortunately for the residents of the archipelago, kava is not native to the area.  Fortunately for the residents, early settlers to the region brought kava with them and it has been cultivated there ever since.  Beyond cultivation of kava, the Tuamotu people also grow local staples such as yams, taro, and breadfruit as well as the coconut palm, and vanilla for export.  The animal life on the islands consists mostly of seabirds, insects and lizards.  But most people come to these islands for the plants and animals found below the water line.  The underwater fauna however, is diverse. The beautiful reefs teeming with life make the Tuamotus one of the most scenic scuba-diving destinations in the world.

TheTuamotu Archipelago and Early History

The early history of the Tuamotu islands is shrouded in mystery. The archaeological record indicates that the Tuamotu Archipelago was first settled by explorers from the Society Islands in about 700 A.D.  This record is limited, as thee low lying islands are wiped clean by the oceans and little of the early cultures remains.  That being said, on three of the larger islands there have been found flat ceremonial platforms, or marae, made of coral blocks.  Their exact age is unknown.

Here the people of the Tuamotu lived in peace, out of contact with western man until Magellan discovered the islands during his global journey in 1521.   In no short order they were also visited by the Portuguese in 1606, the Dutch in 1616, the English in1765, the French in 1768, and the Germans in 1815.  There is some evidence that before any European sailors set foot on theTuamotus; the Inca arrived on their shores in 1480. Regardless, none of these “discoveries” had any political impact in the region as the Tuamotus were part of the Pomare Dynasty of Tahiti.

As with most of Oceania, it was only a matter of time before this all changed.  During the early 1800’s European missionaries began to show up on the shores.  These missionaries in time returned home, bringing with them gifts from their visits.  It was at this time that the region’s pearls became a coveted commodity all over Europe.  It was also at this time, that the islands became more attractive to foreign governments.
Between the lucrative pearl trade, and the fact that the last of the three great phosphate rocks was found in the Tuamotus, caught the eye of the French.  Because of this, following the forced abdication of King Pomare V of Tahiti, the islands were annexed as an overseas territory of France.  This has remained true to today.

The Tuamotus Today

At the 2002 census, the Tuamotus had a population of 15,862 inhabitants. The language spoken in the Tuamotus is Tuamotuan.  This is a collection of Polynesian dialects spoken everywhere except for in Puka-Puka and the Gambier Islands, where Puka-Pukan and Mangarevan are spoken, respectively.

On the economic front, the most important source of income in the Tuamotus is from the cultivation of black pearls and the preparation of copra.  Copra is the dried meat of the coconut that is used to feed both people as well as used in animal feed.  Agriculture in the islands is predominantly subsistence in nature.  Ecotourism related income remains sparse, especially when looking at the tourism industry of the neighboring Society Islands.  That said, a modest tourism infrastructure centered on snorkeling and scuba can be found on some of the larger atolls and this is the main driving force behind a resurgence of Tuamotu tourism.

Tuamotu and Kava

The people of the Tuamotus are famous for living “life in the slow lane”.  No one rushes there, as all things have their time.  We believe this is a mentality which directly correlates to the historical use of kava in all aspects of Tuamotu society.

When the first settlers from the Society Islands arrived they brought with them their drink of choice, kava.  This came in the form of 14 specific “cultivars” which they had developed over time.  The different cultivars produce slightly different variations of kava, be it in the affects of the root or in the plants appearance.  These different strains are then used in different ceremonies such as weddings, births, and ceremonies.  The Tuamotus have a strain of kava for each celebration of the stages in life-that’s a mantra we can get behind!

This post is a response to a great question that one of our visitors asked regarding what the best way to take kava might be (we get a lot of great questions and we love to answer them almost as much as we love kava kava).  It’s something we get asked so often, that we decided to make it into a post.  Thanks Elizabeth from the “Kava Kava Root” article comment section for the inspiration!

Onto the explanation:

KAVA ROOT: For me, I like anything I put into my body to be as natural as possible.  Therefore, I only make kava drinks out of pure kava kava root.  Then, as I explained to Joe (also in the Kava Kava Root comments), I then like to give my kava an extra “kick” by adding a small amount of Kavalactone Paste.  When I’m making my favorite Kava Drink recipe, this is that added “secret ingredient,” but it can make a huge difference.

But, truly…that is just my own personal preference!

KAVA CAPSULES: Speaking of, many people don’t quite like the taste of kava kava root.  This is understandable, and that is exactly why there are so many options provided by many retailers of Kava. Capsules can provide a “down-and-dirty” way of getting to enjoy the effects of Kava, but something we highly recommend is to take capsules that are no more than 30% Kavalactones.  Why is this?  It’s because all of the best effects of  Kava Root don’t come only from Kavalactones (the main active ingredient):  The pleasurable and “good-for-you” effects come from the full spectrum of alkaloids contained within the kava root (24+ to be exact).

With a 30% Kavalactone Capsule, you still get all of the benefits of the entire kava plant, but with enough concentration and potency to get all the pleasurable effects.  And this is something we wish we could say more on, but we will leave it with this one thought:  The FDA has VERY strict rules in relation to how much Kava Root they feel a person can ingest at one time.  These minimums are FAR below what history has shown is safe for anyone who ingests Kava.  We would never recommend that anyone does NOT follow the FDA dosage charts for Kava Root, but we know that what they force retailers to list as a typical dose is at least half as much as we prefer to take to get the pleasurable effects we take Kava for.

KAVA TEA: One option that is not really an option is KAVA TEA.  Why is this?  It’s because the active ingredient in kava is destroyed at a very low temperature, so the hot water required to make tea, destroys all the best parts of kava!

KAVALACTONE PASTE: This is one of our staples in the world of Kava.  Because it is so concentrated, it can be quite expensive (we’ve seen Kavalactone Paste for as much as $79.99 per ounce!), but so little is needed.  And, our absolute FAVORITE version of Kavalactone Paste is something called a “Full Spectrum Kavalactone Paste.”  We try so hard to be unbiased and fair here, but so far, we’ve only found one online retailer that offers this Full Spectrum product, and we can’t imagine our Kava Drinks without it.  It’s not as strong as pure Kavalactone Paste, but we have the comfort of knowing that it contains all 24+ alkaloids from the plant, giving us a concentrated, but completely natural product.

CONCLUSIONS: Aside from preference, we have found that, for whatever reason, Kava Capsules offer a more relaxing, sedative experience, and that drinks made out of Kava root offer a more social and energizing experience.  As a result, I’m EXTREMELY interested to hear from more kava fans, especially in relation to their experiences with Kava in its different forms.  Do capsules energize you or relieve pain and help you sleep?  Does making a drink energize you and make you feel more sociable?  If you take a larger amount of Kavalactone Paste do you feel tipsy and extra happy in a way that is similar (but far, far safer) than having a drink or two of alcohol?  Have you found a way to make drinks out of Kava that we need to know about?

Let me know, and thanks again for all the great comments, questions, and thoughts! – Aloha, Keith

There is often quite heated controversy in some circles regarding the origins of Kava.  The bottom line is that anyone who claims to know where Kava first appeared or where it truly comes from:  They’re only speculating.  Leading botanists in the study of the origin of Kava believe that it first appeared in northern Vanuatu.  This belief was studied in depth by an agronomist named Lebot who worked feverishly (almost obsessively) in the early 1980s in Vanuatu in quest of an answer to this question.  They provided a great deal of evidence supporting their position, and in 1992, the team of Lebot, Merlin, and Lindstrom concluded that Vanuatu was the origin of Kava.

A man named Brunton (1989) presented arguments that Kava might have originated elsewhere in Melanesia and offers Papua new Guinea as the true origin.  Regardless of it’s exact roots, Kava is, without question, a plant that is revered throughout Oceania, and we do know that Kava has been enjoyed far before written history, and its place in Oceanic culture was deeply-rooted before Captain Cook discovered this area of the world in the late 1700’s.

An excerpt from “Potent Roots and the Origin of Kava” from Oceanic Linguistics – Volume 41, Number 2, December 2002, pp. 493-513” explains it best:

“From the beginning, Lebot showed that there was a much greater range in Vanuatu than anywhere else of kava varieties and that these varieties were usually more potent chemically than those from elsewhere (e.g., total kavalactone analyses of Vanuatu kavas were two to five times that of common Fijian varieties).  The chemical analyses were also quite diverse.  Equally significantly, the name for kava in local languages was as diverse as nigui (Hiw, Torres Is), maloku (Marino, Maewo), mele (Sa, South Pentecost), bir (Tur, Santo), hae (Malo), nimvulum (South West Bay, Malekula), nikawa (Kwamera, Tanna), kava (Aneityum) to select some (Lebot and Cabalion 1986:83-93).

This suggests an origin more ancient than in Fiji or Polynesia.  Only the last two of these names are cognate with the Polynesian kava.  These occur in the south and it is quite likely that they were introduced there from Polynesia (Crowley 1994:95; Lebot, Merlin and Lindstrom 1992:52).”

Furthermore, Vanuatu also has over 80 morphotypes as opposed to Fiji’s 12, Tonga’s 7, and Samoa’s 6.  Vanuatu also has 2 wild forms of kava where Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa have none.  If Vanuatu is the true origin of the kava we know today, by default, the Vanuatuans would have the longest relationship with the sacred root.  Also, the distribution of the three “cultivated” types of Kava also points to domestication first having occurred in Vanuatu.  One occurs only in northern Papua New Guinea and is of minor significance.  The other two occur in Vanuatu.  One of these appears also in southern Papua New Guinea.  The other is the sole genetic type occurring in Fiji, Polynesia and Micronesia.

The conclusion of Lebot, Merlin and Lindstrom that kava was domesticated in Vanuatu has never been sufficiently challenged, and further research has only reinforced their conclusions.  The kava found in Fiji and Polynesia are most-likely plants that had its origins in Vanuatu, which reflects that of Firth’s records as well.  More recent research also tried to narrow the origin of kava even more, and has suggested northern Vanuatu, possibly Maewo island as the true “root” of kava kava.

Lastly, if we look at the migration through Oceania, archeological records indicate that Fiji was the first to be settled, then Vanuatu (although it’s close and there is a debate) followed approximately 1000 years later by Samoa, shortly (give or take 500 years or so) there after Tonga was settled.  So, if Tonga was the last place to be settled and kava generally was introduced by migration, than it stands to reason that Tonga has had the shortest relationship with kava and that Vanuatu has the longest.

But again, it’s all just speculation.  We’re just thrilled to have this amazing and versatile plant to heal, help, and enjoy.  We’re always looking for more information on this plant especially when it comes to the true origin of kava.

Our next stop on our tour of Micronesia is the Marshall Islands.  The Marshallese have only recently begun their relationship with Kava.  But before that, let’s explore the islands history, its people, and their culture.

The Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands are a collection of over 1200 islands and islets, only five of which are actual islands.  The rest of the Marshall Islands are encompassed within a grouping of 29 coral atolls (or 10% of ALL the atolls in the world).  These islands and atolls form two groups: the Ratak Chain and the Rajin Chain (or the “Sunrise” and “Sunset” Chain.  These two groupings resemble strands of pearls draped across the South Pacific giving the Marshall Islands their nickname of the “Pearls of the Pacific”.

With a landmass of only approximately square miles (and shrinking as will be discussed later), the islands themselves cover nearly one million square miles of the South Pacific.  Located in the Micronesia region of Oceania, the Marshall Islands are just west of the international dateline and just north of the equator-roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia.

The 62,000 residents of the Marshall Islands live in a Democratic presidential Republic in Free Association with the United States.  Their current President is Jurelang Zedkala.  Much like the neighbors in Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands were once part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.  This was a governing structure, or trusteeship, set up by the United Nations after World War II.  Initially overseen by the United States Navy, it was handed over to the Department of the Interior in 1951.  This was the case until October 21, 1986 when the Marshall Islands became the democratic republic we see today, with their own constitution as well as their own presidential, legislative, and judicial branches.  Still held under the COFA (Compact of Free Association) relationship, the United States provides guaranteed financial assistance administered through the Office of Insular Affairs in exchange for certain defense rights. The U.S. treats these nations uniquely by giving them access to many U.S. domestic programs, including disaster response and recovery and hazard mitigation programs under FEMA.

Marshall Island History

The Marshall Islands first emerged 70 million years ago when volcanic cores erupted at presently extinct hotspots south of the equator. Around 40 million years ago the volcanoes began to subside. The islands were initially high volcanic islands.  Over the course of the ensuing 40 million years, they slowly sank back into the ocean from which they came, propelled by their own weight.  Eventually, microscopic organisms called polyps, which thrive in warm waters with high salinity, salvaged the remaining rim of what was once a volcano forming coral reefs.  In time, portions of the reefs which broke water began to accumulate oceanic debris from nearby islands which over time formed land.   With botanical seeds transported by birds and ocean currents, 5,000-6,000 years ago small islets had taken form, giving us the Marshall Islands as we see them today.

Most likely owing to the harsh atoll environment with a minimal amount of livable and arable land, the archeological record of the early settlers is sparse at best.  Very little is known of these early settlers, and most of their history is mere supposition based on evidence from surrounding island chains.  One important and controversial find happened on Bikini Atoll.  Carbon dating of an early settlement placed the first arrival of man approximately 4,000 years ago.  These settlers are assumed to be of Micronesia decent, comprised of mostly of Melanesians, Filipinos, and Polynesians.
Cultural values and customs make Marshallese society unique. Land is a focal point for social organization and all Marshallese have land rights as part of a clan.  The clan is essentially extended family held together by a common interest in the land.  The clan owes allegiance to the tribal chief, and is supervised by the clan head. The chiefs have ultimate control of such things as land tenure, resource use and distribution, and dispute settlement. The clan head supervises the maintenance of lands and daily activities. The clan workers (family members further removed from the chain of land ownership) are responsible for all daily work on the land including cleaning, farming, and construction activities. The society is matrilineal and, therefore, land is passed down from generation to generation through the mother.

The Marshall Islands and Global Warming

For years, the government of the Marshall Islands has been concerned with the issue of global warming.  A major study on the impacts of climate change and sea level rise in the Marshall Islands was commissioned in the early 1990’s and was completed by1992.  Led by a team from Harvard under contract with the Marshallese government, the reports findings are discussed below.

The physical characteristics of the Marshall Islands would give any visitor the best indicator as to why the government is so concerned with sea level rise. The Marshall Island’s approximate1225 islets in 29 atolls are scattered over nearly one million square miles and have an average height of 7 feet above sea level. The highest land area is on Likiep Atoll, where the elevation reaches a maximum altitude of about 21 feet. Fragile coral reefs fringe the atolls, and serve as the only line of defense against the ocean surge. The clearance over the reef in the sections that are covered by water is usually no more than a couple of feet. In other places the reef is only barely submerged.

The Marshall Islands lie in open ocean, and the islands are generally very close to sea level. The vulnerability to waves and storm surges is at the best of times precarious. Although the islands haven’t been free from weather extremes, they are more frequently referred to in folklore as “jolet jen Anij” or “gifts from God”. The sense that the Marshall Islands are a God-given sanctuary away from the rest of the harsh world is hardwired into the Marshallese culture. However, given the physics of wave formation and the increasing frequency and severity of storms, the Marshall Islands are at an even greater risk. The relative safety that the islands have historically provided is in jeopardy.  One response to the current trends would entail an evacuation on a national scale.

The Marshall Islands and Kava

As we have found in most atoll environments, Kava is not native to the Marshalls.  Thankfully for the Marshallese, the current Kava renaissance has brought the drink to their shores.  And as their culture of one of strong familial clan ties, Kava has found its way into both the ceremonial and social lives of the Marshallese.  We know this will provide the people of the Marshall Islands some relief, but no amount of Kava can stop the seas from rising.  To do this, it will take an effort from every region on the globe.  If not for you, won’t you do it for the peaceful people of the Pearls of the Pacific?

The people of the Hawaiian Islands have a rich history with Kava.  It has carried over from ancient times and is still in place today.  Before that discussion ensures (much to our delight) let’s look at the Hawaiian Islands and their history.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the most recent addition to the United States of America, joining the union as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.  The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago 2,000 miles southwest of the continental United States.  The archipelago is made up of hundreds of islands encompassing nearly 11,000 square miles of land scattered over a 1,500 mile stretch of the South Pacific.

There are eight main islands which most people think of when Hawaii is mentioned; NI’ihau, Kaua’I, O’ahu, Moloka’I, Lana’I, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and Hawai’i.  On these eight islands live the majority of Hawaii’s 1.3 million year round residents.  Hawaii, the largest of the main islands, is often referred to as the “Big Island” so as not to confuse people with the name of the state.  The Hawaiian capital, as well as its largest city is Honolulu.  This seat of government is situated on the southeastern shores of O’ahu.

Many properties of the Hawaiian Islands make a unique addition to the United States.  Beyond being the only state geographically located outside of the North American continent Hawaii is the only archipelago state, the only state to grow coffee, and the only state with a royal palace (which oddly enough is also situated on the southeastern shores of O’ahu).

The Hawaiian Islands were created by a series of volcanic eruptions, the first being Kaua’ I.  Kaua’I rose from the ocean floor six million years ago, and the geographical gestation cycle continues today.  As the magma spills through the earth’s crust, it slowly accumulates on the ocean floor.  In time, great mountains of magma breach the ocean’s surface and form volcanic islands.  To help with a visual, the tallest mountain in the Hawaiian chain is Mauna Kea located on the “Big Island”.  With a peak of nearly 14,000 feet, Mauna Kea is a formidable mountain no matter how you measure it.  However, if measured from its true base at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Everest.  As the tectonic plate on which the Hawaiian Islands rest moves slowly to the northwest, new islands are created.  Thus over six million years, the Hawaiian Islands have been birthed from the sea.  Although the volcanic activity has slowed over the millennia, there is an active volcano on the “Big Island”, making it even bigger.

Hawaiian History

The isolation of the Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and the wide range of environments to be found on high islands located in and near the tropics, has resulted in a vast array of endemic flora and fauna.  Although there are competing theories as to how Hawaii was first settled, all theories see the Polynesians as the first group to arrive in this island paradise in 300 AD.  These people, descendants of the seafaring Austronesians, most likely traveled form the Southern Marquesas Islands to begin permanent settlement of the Hawaiian chain.

The debate really comes at what followed.  One school of thought argues that the migration was slow and steady, involving people from Bora Bora, Raiatea, among other islands.  The second theory is 1,000 years after the initial migration from the Marquesas there was a second migration from Tahiti.  The Tahitian, as told in Hawaiian folk lore, conquered the Marquesas and put in place a hierarchy commanded by high chiefs, the Kapu system (a Hawaiian system of laws which takes on almost religious significance), human sacrifice, and the heiau (of Hawaiian temple).  Questions have arisen about the Tahitian invasions as there few solid clues which link the folk tale to reality (as there is virtually no genetic or linguistic connection between the two cultures).  Whatever the case, the Polynesian culture thrived on these islands.

The Kapu System

Kapu is usually translated to mean forbidden, though it also means sacred, consecrated, or holy. It refers to the ancient system of laws and regulations. An offense that was kapu was usually punished with death and often denoted a threat to spiritual power (or mana.)  Kapus were strictly enforced.  Breaking one, even unintentionally, often meant immediate death.  The concept is related to that of taboo (or tabu) which is found in other Polynesian cultures.

Most famous of the Kapu are restrictions placed upon contact with chiefs, but these also apply to all people of known spiritual power. It was kapu to enter the chief’s personal area, to come in contact with his hair or fingernail clippings, to look directly at him and to be in sight of him with a head higher than his.  The wearing of red and yellow feathers-the sign of royalty-was kapu, unless you were of the highest rank.

The kapu system also governed contact between men and women. In particular, men and women could not eat meals together. Furthermore, certain foods such as pork, some types of bananas, and coconuts were considered kapu to women. As these examples might suggest, the term kapu in Polynesia carries connotations of sacredness as well as forbidden. Probably the best way to translate it into English is as meaning ritually restricted. The opposite of kapu is noa meaning free.

Kapu restrictions were also used to regulate Hawaiian fishing in order to maintain the long term viability of ocean life in the 1700 and 1800s. Certain fishes and/or designated areas were kapu at the times when overfishing could damage the environment. This is similar to the modern regulation of fishing and hunting through licensing but was well before the modern era.

Hawaii and Kava

The Hawaiian people have always showed a strong sense Aloha Aina or love of the land.  To quote one native Hawaiian,   “We, who live in the Islands walk upon its earth, breathe its air, drink its water, and eat the food it provides. Hawaii is within us, a part of us. If we defile Hawaii, it is as if we defile ourselves.”  Due to this sense of Aloha Aina, and with the strict kapu system to enforce it, the Hawaiian people were on the forefront of environmental regulation and showed great insight into sustainable living.

The kapu system was used in Hawaii until 1819, when King Kamehameha II, acting with his mother Keopuolani and his father’s queen Ka’ahumanu, abolished it by the symbolic act of sharing a meal of forbidden foods with the women of his
Called Awa in Hawaii, kava in ancient times was consumed only by Hawaiians of high social ranking or those with special spiritual powers (you guessed it, another kapu).  However, in time kava was used for far more than formal ceremonies.  As the drink made its way down the hierarchical structure, kava was used to calm the body and mind, to kill pain, to clean wounds and skin infections, to relax tense muscles, soothe rheumatism, and combat fevers.  Kava bars have also made a huge comeback in Hawaii, as both mainland tourists and locals realize the relaxing properties of kava.  There may be nothing better than a cup of kava watching the sunset over the pacific.  Aloha!

Rounding out our Kava-eye view of Micronesia is Palau.  Palau, like many of these small island nations, has an interesting history.  Palau also has a more traditional relationship with kava (which gives here a great relief).  Let’s look at Palau today and the events that brought this young nation into being.

Palau

Officially known as the Republic of Palau, this tiny island nation is situated 500 miles east of the Philippines, 500 miles north of Indonesia and 750 miles south of Guam.  Having emerged from a United Nations Trusteeship administered by the United States in 1994, The Republic of Palau is one of the youngest sovereign nations in the world.  It is also one of the smallest, encompassing a mere 177 square miles (or roughly two and half times the size of Washington, D.C.)  Palau is made up of sixteen states, found on eight main islands and 250 smaller islands.  Although a separate, free-standing entity, the Republic of Palau is part of the Carolina Islands archipelago.

Within these 16 states reside the approximate 20,000 citizens of Palau.  About 70% of the population resides in the city of Koror, found on the island of Koror.  Koror the economic hub of Palau is the former capital city.  This was the case until 2007 when the capital moved north to the city of Ngerulmud located in the state of Melekeok.  In Ngerulmud, the Palauan Congress meets.  It is set up much like the U.S Congress, being made up of both a House of Representatives and a Senate.  Also situated in Ngerulmud is the executive branch, currently run by President Johnson Toribiong and Vice-President Kerai Mariur, and the judicial branch (structured much like the judicial branch of the United States).

Palau and History

The history of Palau is one of great mystery and current archeological debate.  For starters, the original settlers to the area may have come from the neighboring Caroline Islands, but more than likely they’ve arrived from Melanesia, Australia, and Asia.  Because of this, the Palauan people are not considered classic Micronesians, although geographically they are located in this region.  Among the native Palauan population there appear to be two distinct genetic blood lines, one associated with Australians/Papua New Guineans and the other associated with Asian (specifically Indonesian).  Both of these genetic lines more closely resemble the residents of Melanesia opposed to Micronesia.

Another debate that rages even today is when these people, whoever they were, first arrived on the shores of Palau.  Until recently, there have been two schools of thought concerning the timing of the original settler’s arrival, both backed up by carbon dating (although the legitimacy of either has been argued).  This two schools place the original settlers arriving at either 1000BC or 2500 BC.  Adding to the confusion is a recent discovery which has thrown the entire Oceanic Archeological community for a loop.  This is the discovery of an ancient burial ground.  This burial ground is the oldest known burial ground in all of Oceania and disproves both earlier theories.

Another debate centers on the recent discovery of Homo floresiensis in Indonesia.  Homo floresiensis was first discovered in caves on Java in 2003.  They were a humanoid creature many are calling “Hobbits” due to their small stature.  A number of humanoid skeletons bearing many of the characteristics of the Flores Man have also been found in Palau.  Coupling this with the oldest burial grounds in all of Oceania has begged the question, was Flores Man the first to immigrate to these islands?

Beyond the debate of who first arrived on the shores, there is also a debate over who were the first European explorers to arrive here.  Some believe the Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos would have been the first to sight the shores of Palau in 1543.  Although there is no definitive evidence indicating this, it is argued that Captain Ruy would have had to have seen the southern tip of Palau when arriving in the Caroline Islands.

What is known is that in 1783 Captain Henry Wilson of the East Indian Tea Company ran aground in his boat the Antelope.  Wrecking on the a reef off the shores of the Palauan island of Ulong, the King of Palau helped to repair Wilson’s ship, restock him with supplies, and sent him on his.  Captain Wilson returned to the shores of England with one extra crewmate, Prince Lee Boo of Palau.  Unfortunately for the prince, he soon contracted small pox and died.  Because of this, the East India Tea Company erected a monument to the late prince in St. Mary’s Churchyard.

Palau and Culture

Although in the past few decades, Palau has adapted to an international economy, Palauans strongly identify with their traditional culture. Several of the traditional ceremonies, such as the omersurch birth ceremony, ocheraol first-house ceremony and the kemeldiil funeral services are widely practiced and the codes and beliefs adopted by Palauan forefathers are still revered today.??Palauan villages were, and still are, organized around 10 clans reckoned matrilineally. A council of chiefs from the 10 ranking clans governed the village, and a parallel council of their female counterparts held a significant advisory role in the division and control of land and money.??Palauans are a highly sociable people. Traditionally, history, lore and knowledge were passed down through the generations orally as there was no written language until the late 1800’s. Palauans still practice that traditional method, and at the end of the day, one can often find pockets of Palauans excitingly engaged in the telling of the stories of the more recent past.  Often this takes place in their traditional village gathering place, the Bai house (gabled roof house).  These gables were intricately carved and painted, depicting the histories of the various clans that lay claim to the house.

Palau and Kava

Like many of their Micronesian neighbors, Kava was introduced recently as the coral atoll climate is a harsh one where Kava seems to have trouble taking root.  Luckily for the Palauns, the introduction of Kava has gone hand in hand with their clan-centric way of life.  Many of the major ceremonies, including birthing, marriage, and death ceremonies, now include Kava as an important part of their ritual. Generally held in the Bai house and presided over by both male and female elders, these ceremonies help bond the participants as well as strengthen those bonds within the clan as a whole.  And what better glue could you find than a little Kava.

We now move on to the third and final region of Oceania, the region of Polynesia.  First stop on our Polynesian tour none other than regional namesake, French Polynesia.

French Polynesia

To begin with, French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity. What, might you ask IS a French overseas collectivity?  Simply put, it is a French territory outside the boundaries of mainland France.  French Polynesia has the further designation as a POM (pays d’outre-mer au sein de la Républiquean or, an overseas country inside the French Republic).  Along with this designation comes a good deal of symbolic self rule as there is an elected President and assembly with 59 members.  However, most of the major decisions involving the basics of governing a nation (education, health care, defense, etc) come from mainland France.

French Polynesia was born from volcanoes some 20 million years ago.  It is made up of approximately 130 islands which total 1,622 square miles of land mass.  These islands are scattered over 965,255 square miles of the South Pacific.  The region known as French Polynesia is actually comprised of 6 island chains or archipelagos. The islands in the Society, Marquesas, Austral, Bass and Gambier groups remained high islands, while the Tuamotu Islands group became atolls.  Atolls, as we have discussed, are islands which have returned to the sea, leaving minimal land mass and are ringed by coral reefs.

Within the Society Islands group you will find the best known of the French Polynesian islands, Tahiti. This is the most populous island as well as the seat of government.  The largest French Polynesian city is Faaa, while the seat of government is located in the capital city of Papeete.  Tahiti was also the gateway for European exploration into the region.  Although it is thought the first explorers to see the region hailed from Spain in 1606, they made no effort to make landfall.  It wasn’t until Samuel Wallis, an English captain and explorer, arrived on the shores of Tahiti in 1767 that Europeans and Polynesians met.  As we’re creeping into the area of French Polynesian history, let’s take a deeper look and start at the beginning.

French Polynesian History

Around 4000 BC, a great migration began from Southeast Asia across open ocean to settle the Pacific Islands. Many researchers conclude that Tonga and Samoa were settled around 1300 BC and from here colonization voyages were launched to the Marquesas Islands in about 200 BC. Over the next several centuries, great migrations to colonize all the French Polynesian islands and virtually the entire South Pacific took place. ??This area of the Pacific Ocean is now called the “Polynesian Triangle” and includes Hawaii to the north, Easter Island to the southeast and New Zealand to the southwest. As a result of these migrations, the native Hawaiians and the Maoris of New Zealand all originate from common ancestors and speak a similar language collectively known as Maohi. ??As mentioned above, Captain Samuel Wallis was the first to visit the island of Tahiti.  This happened during his journey to discover terra australis incognita, a mythical landmass below the equator thought to balance the northern hemisphere. Wallis named the island of Tahiti “King George III Island” and claimed it for England. Soon after and unaware of Wallis’ arrival, French navigator Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, landed on the opposite side of Tahiti and claimed it for the King of France. ??European fascination with the islands grew as news spread of both the mutiny of Capt. William Bligh’s crew aboard the H.M.S. Bounty and of tales of tropical beauty and the friendly Polynesian people. Knowledge of modern day French Polynesia continued to grow as Capt. James Cook brought back thousands of illustrations of French Polynesian flora and fauna as well as the first map of the islands of the Pacific. In the 1800s, the arrival of whalers, British missionaries, and French military expeditions forever changed the way of life in French Polynesia and created a French-British rivalry for control of the islands. The Pomare Dynasty ruled Tahiti until 1847 when Queen Pomare finally accepted French protection of the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. ??In 1880, following the queen’s death, King Pomare V was persuaded to cede Tahiti and most of its dependencies to France. In 1957, all the islands of Tahiti were reconstituted as the overseas French territory we now know to be French Polynesia.

French Polynesian Culture

The modern day French Polynesians maintain the heritage and traditions of their ancestors. Oral history recounts the adventures of gods and warriors in colorful legends where javelin throwing was the sport of the gods, surf riding was favored by the kings, and Aito strongmen competed in outrigger canoe races and stone lifting as a show of pure strength.

Like many of the cultures of Oceania, French Polynesian culture is strongly linked to the clan and the clan hierarchy.  At the center of every clan was their marae, an open air stone structure that was once the seat of power within the clan.  These large, stone structures, akin to temples, hosted the important events of the times including the worship of the gods, peace treaties, celebrations of war, and the launch of voyages to colonize distant lands

One French Polynesian cultural contribution that is seen the world over today was first introduced into European culture by sailors returning home.  It is the tattoo.  The word tattoo originated in Tahiti. The legend of Tohu, the god of tattoo, describes painting all the oceans’ fish in beautiful colors and patterns. In French Polynesian culture, tattoos have long been considered signs of beauty and in earlier times were ceremoniously applied when reaching adolescence (not much different than high school and college students acquiring their first tattoo as a symbol of their arrival at adulthood.)

French Polynesia and Kava

Many researchers believe this region of Oceania, Polynesia, is the where Kava originated in this south pacific incarnation of the sacred plant found the world over.  In French Polynesia the drinking of Kava is based on clan status and class.  It is characterized by a formalized, detailed etiquette that not only serves to promote harmony and lucid discussion, but also supports indigenous rank and prestige. Kava’s use and the ritual that surrounds it is an essential part of traditional French Polynesian decision-making, rites of passage, and other matters of communal importance. Traditional values, as epitomized by the kava ceremony, have served to strengthen the community while allowing outside influences to be progressively absorbed.  As with many regions of Oceania, Kava was formerly used all across the French Polynesian island chains, but in time it was seen as a symbol of pagan ways and consequently suppressed by missionary influence and government decree early in the 19th century. As might have been anticipated, alcohol consumption increased, creating havoc throughout society and in general proving immune to traditional methods of stricture and control.  In recent years, as the region has gained more autonomy from the French, Kava has made resurgence in the region in attempt to get back to more traditional roots.  We wish the people of French Polynesia the best of luck in this quest.

Nauru, like many of its Micronesia neighbors, has an unusual relationship with Kava.  Beyond its relationship to Kava, many environmentalists look to Nauru as a test case for natural resource management (or, more specifically, mismanagement).  Before we get to that, let’s take a look at Nauru’s unique history and how they came to be the nation we see today.

Nauru Island Itself

Formerly known as Pleasant Island, the Republic of Nauru is a small oval shaped island 26 miles south of the equator.  Nauru’s closest neighbor is the Kiribatian island of Banaba.  Banaba lies approximately 190 miles to the east and is considered one of the three great phosphate rocks in the Pacific along with our current local Nauru and Makatea in French Polynesia.

Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation.  Completely surrounded by a coral reef, this tiny coral atoll measures a mere 8.1 square miles.  On these 8.1 square miles live Nauru’s approximate 10,000 citizens.  With a population density of nearly 1700 residents per square mile, Nauru is in the top twenty most densely populated nations on earth.  The citizens of Nauru are 60% Nauruans, 25% other pacific islander, with the remaining 15% evenly split between European (read British) and Chinese.

The massive reef structure surrounding Nauru has limited access to the island through out its history, and most likely added to its isolation from outside forces for so long.  This reef has also prevented the creation of a single major seaport on the island to this day.  Unfortunately for the residents of Nauru, this has not prevented foreign nations from plundering its natural resources.

The island itself has a very narrow band of arable land which circles the island between its sandy beaches and the inland plateau.  It is on this band, which is only 500 to 1000 feet wide, that all of Nauru’s indigenous plants (of which there are few) and crops are grown.  Due to the atoll’s harsh climate and lack of arable land, Kava is not among the indigenous species.

As with most former colonies, English is spoken by the bulk of the population and used in all official government communication.  The other official language is Nauruan.  Nauruan is spoken in the homes of nearly all its citizens.  This language is interesting in the fact that is unlike any other Oceanian tongue.

Although Nauru has no official capital city, Yaren is looked to as the capital as it is the largest settlement on the island and the seat of parliament.  This has been the case since Nauru gained it’s independence from Australia in 1968.

Nauru History

The first settlers to Nauru were most likely a mixture of Melanesian, Filipino, and Polynesian voyagers who decided to make the island their home.  Much of the archeological record of this time has been destroyed by the strip mining of phosphorous.  Most of what we know about the early Nauruans is base on the personal accounts of whalers and explorers.  One of the few things we can derive of early Nauru is that Nauruans believed in a female deity, Eijebong, and a spirit land, an island called Buitani.  It is also known that the Nauruans practiced aquaculture.  In doing this Nauruans would catch baby salt water fish, acclimate them to fresh water, and raise them in ponds.  Aside from this, much of their cultural identity has been swallowed up by 100 plus years of western influence.  Of the original twelve tribes, there remain only ten.  And even in these ten, tribal elders have trouble recollecting the old ways, stories, and songs.

Due to its small size and remote location, Nauru was one of the last South Pacific islands to be reached by European explorers.  It wasn’t until 1798 that “Pleasant Island” was first sighted by British Captain John Fearn while on a whaling expedition.  The crew of Fearn’s boat found the natives to be handsome, peaceful and friendly; generously supplying the crew with food and fresh water.  By the early 1800’s “Pleasant Island” became a regular stop for European whalers to load up on supplies.  At this time we start to see the first European settlers appear.  These initial settlers were more sailors on permanent leave than ambassadors of their respective countries.  Finally, in 1898, Germany annexed Nauru.

Within a few years of annexation, German prospector Albert Ellis discovered Nauru’s rich phosphorous reserves and formed the Pacific Phosphate Company.  Thus began the 100 year wholesale exploitation of Nauru’s natural resources, which has made them the environmental test case mentioned earlier.  These operations carried on until the outbreak of World War I.

It was at this time that Australian forces invaded Nauru and defeated the minimal forces.  After this, the island fell under the control of the British Phosphate Company.  This came out of a three way treaty between Britain, Australia, and New Zealand known as the Nauru Island Agreement.  As you can see, wartime land grabs for natural resources is one of the oldest plays in the book.

Nauru’s Environmental Test Case

As mentioned earlier, many environmentalists look to Nauru as a test case in natural resource management.  The small island nation was rich in one resource-phosphorous.  The rights to which have ALWAYS been owned by some foreign entity.  During the 70’s, 80’s, and into the 90’s Nauru had one of the highest incomes per capita in the world (brought on by the selling of mineral rights to foreign companies much like citizens of Alaska getting a yearly check from the oil companies).  However, today the island is hanging on the brink of collapse.

The phosphorous deposits were left there by hundreds, if not thousands of years of sea bird migrations.  Within 110 years of their discovery, they are gone.  What’s been left in their place is a limestone waste land, an uninhabitable desert which encompasses over 75% of the habitable land.  This is a resource which will not come back any time soon.
The countries unemployment rate stands at over 90%, as most jobs came from the phosphorous mining sector.  Although the literacy rate on the island is over 95%, these educated people have no place to work.  Because of this, over the last decade there has been a slow but steady migration to other South Pacific islands.

Nauru and Kava

Although Kava is not indigenous to the island and the early inhabitants did not partake, there has been a modern introduction of our favorite drink to the people of Nauru.  The government of Nauru, scrambling to find a new source of income for there remaining residents, has turned to eco-tourism (isn’t that ironic).  One thing Nauru has in spades is coral reefs.  And what better way to finish a long day of scuba, than with a cup of Kava.  We also hope that Kava will find its way into the daily rituals of Nauru people, as we know they need a little relief.