Hiwa kava
Hiwa is a kava cultivar from Hawaii Island, Hawaii. Legal class: Noble.
Origin
Island: Hawaii Island. Country: Hawaii. Coordinates: 19.5667, -155.5. Hawaii Island on the kava map.
Legal standing
Noble, per Codex CXS 336R-2020 and the FAO/WHO kava discussion paper.
Chemotype
A chemotype ranks the six kavalactones from most to least abundant. It says nothing about how much kava is in the root, only about the order.
| Code | Kavalactones, most to least abundant | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 462351 | Kavain > Methysticin > Dihydrokavain > Yangonin > Dihydromethysticin > Desmethoxyyangonin | Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa |
| 462351 | Kavain > Methysticin > Dihydrokavain > Yangonin > Dihydromethysticin > Desmethoxyyangonin | Kava Library; vendor-published single value |
Character
Heady. Clear-headed. Stays above the neck, so it suits daytime.
How it is described
No published account of how Hiwa is said to feel.
Taste and mouthfeel
No published tasting notes.
Background
- “The dark sacred variety, reserved for kahuna, chiefs and royalty, and offered to Pele”, Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa
Availability
Limited. Sold by a handful of vendors.
Known to stock it: Gourmet Hawaiian Kava.
Sold as
- 'Awa Hiwa Medium Grind, Gourmet Hawaiian Kava, 454 g: 65.00 USD (143 USD/kg)
- 'Awa Hiwa Medium Grind, Gourmet Hawaiian Kava, 227 g: 36.00 USD (159 USD/kg)
Prices read from vendor storefronts on 2026-09-16, ranked cheapest per kilogram first. No vendor pays to be listed.
Documentation
Corroborated. Sources cited on this page:
- Codex CXS 336R-2020 and the FAO/WHO kava discussion paper
- Lebot et al. 1999 HPLC, in Johnston & Rogers, Hawaiian 'Awa
- Kava Library