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Leber concurs, stating, 'drinking kava is no different
<br />than drinking coffee', although warns, 'If you abuse
<br />coffee, you might have side effects [too]' (Scaccia,
<br />2018). Having said this though, the WHO kava risk
<br />assessment asks that 'further studies are needed to
<br />define the parameters necessary to ensure safe use of
<br />kava beverage' (Abbott. 2016; 26).
<br />Almost 20 years ago, Leber et al. (1997) made a bold
<br />prediction that kava would one day become a 'world
<br />drug' (202), taking its place as a possibleethnic Valium
<br />or alcohol' (210). That prediction appears to now be a
<br />reality, with online magazine Vine Pair recently announ-
<br />cing that kava is 'officially trending' owing to wide-
<br />spread availability in bars in the USA (Wolinski,
<br />2018). Kava is franchized under names such as
<br />Kavesuma and Root of Happiness Kava Bar, where it
<br />is promoted as a natural relaxant and an alternative to
<br />alcohol (Basit, 2016; Rechenberg, 2016; Seaccia, 2018).
<br />That trending is seen also in New Zealand, Japan (see
<br />the 'Fiji Bar' in Osaka, Nand, 2018), Hong Kong,
<br />France and Thailand (Aporosa, 2015; Bolatagici,
<br />2011; Wihongi, 2018, personal communication).
<br />Increased use has however spawned a plethora of new
<br />myths, including sensational news headlines that kava
<br />can 'kill' (Island Business, 1989- 51; Rodriguez, 2016;
<br />Stanton, 2017; Yunupingu, 1987: 15). This included a
<br />recent exaggerated report followed the drinking of kava
<br />by the United Kingdoms' Prince Harry during the
<br />Royal Visit to Fiji in which a Professor of pharmacol-
<br />ogy suggested the Monarchs actions were 'danger-
<br />ous -_[and) foolish' as he was 'riskting]... liver
<br />damage from kava' (Dymond, 2018).
<br />As if also foreseeing this rise of kava misinl'ortna-
<br />tion, Lebot et al. (1997: 202) have attempted to address
<br />the matter of kavas misrepresentation, suggesting
<br />claims of harm and reports of 'kava as killer' were
<br />'dubiously simplistic' and 'comprised erroneous state-
<br />ment[s]'.' Braun and Cohen (2010), referring to
<br />inaccurate reporting on kava, state: 'As in the popular
<br />press, the medical pass is prone to creating sensational
<br />headlines to attract interest, but this can lead to
<br />inaccurate assumptions' (12; also sec Note I).
<br />Misreporting and discounting of the facts regarding
<br />kava have made it extremely difficult for academics,
<br />let alone the public, to distinguish fact front fiction,
<br />harm from health, positive front negative. Moreover,
<br />the misreporting of kava fact in peer review publica-
<br />tions (e.g. Barguil et alp 2013; Procyshyn at al., 2017;
<br />Srolerman, 2010) has been unhelpful for doctors and
<br />pharmacists who are often a first point of information
<br />for those seeking knowledge on new medicine safety
<br />and use (Maclennan et al., 2016) -
<br />Dong Science, Policy and Law 5(0j
<br />This article has looked at the history of kava use in the
<br />Pacific, the vanafion in use across the diaspora and how
<br />today kava may have many medicinal applications.
<br />While traditionally kava beverage is part of traditional
<br />rites of passage, today kava is also seen as a reminder of
<br />home when consumed away from the Islands within the
<br />Pasifika diaspora. Taking kava is however still mytholo-
<br />gized by many, on grounds of inciting drunkenness,
<br />addiction and physical harm. However, medical evidence
<br />is plain, that kava is non-alcoholic, non -addictive, does
<br />not cause liver failure and according to the WHO, has
<br />not been the direct cause of any fatalities for the past 10
<br />years worldwide. This differs from statistics for the
<br />tobacco and alcohol industry, which according to studies
<br />in Australia alone, has been the cause of many thou-
<br />sands of mortalities each year.
<br />While it is interesting to see the emerging markets for
<br />different kava products appearing in diverse locations
<br />such as the US, Asia and Europe there is still an antag-
<br />onism towards kava. With those making the claims
<br />unable to counter with scientific evidence of kava',
<br />properties, and a growing interest in natural products
<br />less harmful than traditional recreational drugs, it is
<br />only a matter of time before we see kava in even
<br />more countries in the years ahead, valued for not
<br />only for its calming effects as the new 'world drug' of
<br />choice but its array of medicinal benefits.
<br />the authors) declared the following potential conflicts of
<br />interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or pub-
<br />licadon of this article: With the exception that the author is of
<br />Fijian ancestry, frequently uses kava as part of his culture,
<br />and has previously farmed kava in rural Fiji, no substantial
<br />conflicts of interest are reported by the author.
<br />The aulhono disclosed receipt of the following fieavcial sup
<br />port for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
<br />article: This work was supported by the New Zealand Health
<br />Research County under two Pacific post -doctoral awards
<br />number 16/462 and 19/002.
<br />SApo Aporosa https/; ordd. orgt0004-00024490-9545
<br />1- On 25 August 2016, the PSIA held a panel within their
<br />three-day wurcaner entitled, 'Kava killer ar cure',
<br />aimed at addressing some of the myths of kava related
<br />to health. At this panel, Dr Ifiraimi Weaainabete, then a
<br />surgeon at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva,
<br />
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