#kava

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health, in collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has issued a memorandum this week detailing a Generally Recognized as Safe or GRAS determination for ‘awa. The DOH memorandum was developed to recognize the substantial history of consumption of the traditional ‘awa beverage by Native Hawaiians.

Health officials say the adults became infected with the rat lungworm parasite at a home in Keaʻau on Hawaiʻi Island a few weeks after drinking homemade kava.

At Wow-Wee Maui, Kava is offered by the coconut shell, for around $6. This muddy murky drink might seem a bit mysterious to the tourists and the locals who haven’t been introduced to an ‘awa circle.

MauiNow tries a cup of Kava in Kahului.