About Waka Kava

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Kava is the name of both a plant and a beverage made from the roots of that plant.  It grows in the pacific islands and has been consumed traditionally for thousands of years, as a ceremonial and social beverage.  

Our kava is grown in Vanuatu, where kava is thought to originate from, and where the greatest variety of different kavas are cultivated.  The kavalactones, responsible for kava’s sedating and euphoric effects, are found in the root of the plant.  The lateral roots contain the great concentration and are called ‘waka’.  Waka is also the maori word for canoe, and for Waka Kava, it represents the connection to this sacred plant grown so far across the world.

 At Waka Kava, our mission is to creatively connect people through kava, music, and community, transforming the way we meet and socialize. In today's world of instant connectivity, many of us find ourselves feeling isolated, disconnected, and disenchanted. Solutions offered by modern society, such as social media's finely-filtered personas and alcohol culture's empty promises, only exacerbate this issue, leading to cycles of pain and alienation.  At Waka Kava, we offer a fresh approach. We embrace a solution with ancient roots that spans oceans to touch our hearts. Through live entertainment rooted in local culture, we aim to cultivate a new community, ready to thrive. We also celebrate kava’s “routes,” by supporting Pacific farmers and their love for kava.  To forge a brighter future and break the spell of isolation, we need new avenues for building relationships, friendships, and communities. We honor Pacific island culture not through appropriation, but through intentional craftsmanship that respects the spirit of kava and its community. By showcasing live music from local artists, we speak the universal language of harmony and belonging.  At Waka Kava, we aspire to be a destination for self-exploration, free from the pressures of conformity or fitting in. Join us to and experience the transformative power of genuine connection. 

Kava’s effects include a mild relaxation that encourages socialization, a physical numbing of the tongue upon imbibing, and depending on the variety, either an uplifting effect or a heady, drowsier feeling.