Pu'u O Hoku Ranch PO Box 1889 Kaunakakai, HI 96748 hoku@aloha.net 808.558.8109 FAX 808.558.8100 What 'awa does and why Kavalactones are the major active ingredients found in 'awa plants. Kavalactones are found in all parts of the 'awa plant and are responsible for 'awa's medicinal and psychoactive properties. The highest concentration of kavalactones is found in the plant's roots. What do kavalactones do? Relieve stress and anxiety Promote a mild euphoria Improve cognitive performance Relax muscles Relieves pain Different kavalactones have different effects. There are six major kavalactones: Demethoxy-yangonin (DMY) Dihydrokavain (DHK) Yangonin Kavain Dihydromethysticin (DHM) Methysticin A chemotype code was created to indicate the proportion of each major kavalactone, from highest percent to the lowest, within a given plant. Thus the Hawaiian 'awa cultivar called Nene would have a chemotype of 463251. That's because Nene is the highest in kavain and lowest in DMY. Why is this important? Because different combinations of kavalactones produce different effects when consumed. For instance, kavain, which is high in all Hawaiian 'awa cultivars, induces a mild euphoria in most 'awa drinkers. 'Awa varieties vary in strength. This is measured by kavalactone levels and chemotypes, as explained. Click any image below for a larger view of the plant. Here, also, is a link on how to prepare 'awa for drinking. Nene is the name given to this Hawaiian 'awa cultivar. This particular plant was tested and found to have an overall kavalactone content of 14% and a chemotype of 463251. Mo'i is the name given to this Hawaiian 'awa variety. In ancient Hawaii it was reserved for the ali'i or royalty. This particular plant was tested with an overall kavalactone content of 20% and a chemotype of 436215. 'Awa Panaewa - Earlier in the last century, the Territory of Hawaii planted out many acres of this variety in the Panaewa area just south of Hilo, on the island of Hawaii. Short, stout, wind resistent plants, the Panaewa 'awa has an over all kavalactone percentage of 14.5% and chemotype of 463215. Hanakapi'ai (also called Nene 'Ele 'Ele) has dark, long internodes with spots and purple nodes. This 'awa has been found growing naturally in only one area of Hawaii - on the island of Kauai along the Napali Coast in a valley known as Hanakapi'ai. Kavalactone tests on this cultivar have shown a variation from 10.6% KL up to 15.5 KL and chemotype variation of 462351 and 426315. Moloka'i Green is a tall, elegant looking 'awa variety which was originally found in the remote, uninhabited valley of Wailau. In ancient Hawaii there was a thriving village in this valley. The old 'awa stands existing today are remants of the ancient plantings. This cultivar was tested with an overall kavalactone content of 14% and a chemotype of 463215. Pu'u O Hoku Ranch PO Box 1889 Kaunakakai, HI 96748 hoku@aloha.net 808.558.8109 - Voice 808.558.8100 - Fax

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