The Marshall Islands and 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 […]

Hawaii and Kava (‘awa)

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, […]

Palau and Kava

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 […]

French Polynesia and 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 […]

Nauru and Kava

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 […]

The Mariana Islands and Kava

Next up in the Micronesia Region of Oceania are the Mariana Islands.  The Mariana Islands have a complex history of foreign rule.  And due to their climate, the islands and its people almost surely a long history with kava-but clues to the latter are sparse.  Before we get to that, let’s discuss how the Mariana […]

Kiribati and Kava

Next up on our tour of the Micronesian region of the Pacific is Kiribati.  Kiribati has a very recent, but very strong relationship with our favorite beverage kava.  Before we get to that, let’s look at the Kiribati today and how it came to be. Kiribati The island nation of Kiribati-officially known as the Republic […]

Federated States of Micronesia and Kava

Leaving the Melanesian region of Oceania, our first stop on our Kava-centric geographical tour of Micronesia will be the Federated States of Micronesia.  Although Kava use varies by region in this archipelago, the island chain has an interesting culture and history, regardless of its Kava consumption. Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia […]

Vanuatu and Kava

Rounding out the Melanesian region of Oceania is the island nation of Vanuatu.  Vanuatu is one of the most interesting, diverse and mysterious of all the Melanesian archipelagos in relation to culture and their use of Kava-as we shall see below. Vanuatu Itself The island nation of Vanuatu, or officially the Republic of Vanuatu, is […]

New Guinea and Kava

Unlike their Melanesian neighbors, the Oceanic people of New Guinea have a long and rich history with our favorite beverage.  But before we discuss this, let’s look at New Guinea today. New Guinea Splitting off from Australia during the last glacial period during the Pleistocene Epoch, New Guinea is the second largest island in the […]