A weekend event hopes to educate people about the Kava plant which Hawaiians and Polynesians have been utilizing for thousands of years. The plant is called "awa" in Hawaii. Many are familiar with the relaxing awa drink, made from the Kava root. But controversy surrounding the potential risks of kava on the liver has banned kava products in certain countries.

The Hawaii Pacific Islands Kava Festival, held at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, plans to address those issues and discuss the school's own research on kava and liver damage.

The free event, hosted by the Awa Development Council of Hawaii, is Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at McCarthy Mall between Varney Circle and Hamilton Library. The festival will showcase cultural practitioners, awa growers, health and nutrition specialists and expert scientists. Also included, Hawaiian crafts, an apu (awa bowl) making workshop, art exhibition, live music and Kava festival T-shirts.

Part I: How to make a drink from kava powder, demonstrated by Jonathan Yee, president of the Awa Development Council.

Part II: Making an awa drink using the blender. UH kava specialist H.C. "Skip" Bittenbender explains kava's relaxing effects and controversial use.

Related Links:

• www.kavafestival.org
• www.awadevelopment.org

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