A great (and short) radio interview on kava

[TheKavaSociety]

ABC Radio (Australia) has recently posted this short interview with Kirk Huffman, anthropologist and curator of Vanuatu Museum: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/ra/MOD/RA_Podcast/PAB_AUSKAVABAN_20150220.mp3

Kirk presents his perspective on the attempts to ban kava.
I think that @Deleted User will particularly like his insistence on the importance of adhering to the more traditional ways of consuming kava

 

[Paulie-Paul]

Thanks Henry for that post. Love the quote about Kava being much more in harmony with Aboringine culture than Alcohol. Alcohol seems to be destroying native communities all around the world. Here in Canada, First Nations Peoples have a similar issue with alcohol abuse. I think Kava is the solution not the problem and as soon as the short sighted politicians realize that they are as much a part of the problem as Alcohol is, then we may be getting somewhere.

 

[Paulie-Paul]

Found this Petition online to reverse the Australian government Kava Ban. Lets share it.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/kava/

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Great interview! Thanks for sharing.

 

[TheKavaSociety]

BTW, I've just read that it is LEGAL to grow kava in Australia. I wonder why the Aboriginal communities don't do it?

 

[Crunked]

BTW, I've just read that it is LEGAL to grow kava in Australia. I wonder why the Aboriginal communities don't do it?

Chris from GHK would know the lead times and technical problems, but the first problem is that kava is grown in tropical climates. Many aboriginal communities exist in arid or semi-arid zones. Another factor is that AFAIK agriculture has never been a part of aboriginal culture. Even if a community lived in the right tropical area, had the expertise, and were prepared to wait years for the first harvest, they couldn't sell any of the product, although it would be valuable and a ripe target for theft.

 

[TheKavaSociety]

Even if a community lived in the right tropical area, had the expertise, and were prepared to wait years for the first harvest, they couldn't sell any of the product, although it would be valuable and a ripe target for theft.

Good points. However, if it's true that they currently pay hundreds of $ per kg of kava, then growing it could at least mean that they wouldn't be spending all their money on kava..

 

[kavadude]

It'd require a huge logistical and financial investment, as Noueky hinted at. Then there's the question of climate suitability -- I'm not familiar with Australia's climate regions, but at best a small part of it is going to be suitable for kava growing.

 

[TheKavaSociety]

It'd require a huge logistical and financial investment, as Noueky hinted at. Then there's the question of climate suitability -- I'm not familiar with Australia's climate regions, but at best a small part of it is going to be suitable for kava growing.

Well, most of Australia is just one huge desert. However, quite a few aboriginal communities live in what seems like equatorial/tropical climatic zone. But I know nothing about the soil quality. Also, it seems that they have distinct dry and wet seasons, which may not be great for kava.
In any case you are right, it would be a a huge investment for any aboriginal community to try growing kava on a large scale. Still, imagine how great it would be (in an ideal world) if many of those communities communities could make a living from growing kava..