Episode Description: In this episode, I analyze Dr. Apo Aporosa’s article of the University of Waikato, "De-mythologizing and Re-branding of Kava as the New ‘World Drug’ of Choice” - a paper that defends kava as safe and culturally misunderstood. But here’s the real question: Can studies done on kava tablets in laboratories truly represent the reality of Pacific Island men drinking bowl after bowl every night? I also share real testimonies from wives in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, women whose hus...
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Episode Description: In this episode, I analyze Dr. Apo Aporosa’s article of the University of Waikato, "De-mythologizing and Re-branding of Kava as the New ‘World Drug’ of Choice” - a paper that defends kava as safe and culturally misunderstood. But here’s the real question: Can studies done on kava tablets in laboratories truly represent the reality of Pacific Island men drinking bowl after bowl every night? I also share real testimonies from wives in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, women whose hus...
Episode 14 - TOU'A: Women’s Testimonies from the Faikava
Pacific Empowerment
1 hour 1 minute
1 month ago
Episode 14 - TOU'A: Women’s Testimonies from the Faikava
In this episode, we dive into the history and role of the tou‘a - women who serve kava in Tongan faikava circles, and why Tonga’s practice is different from other Pacific regions. We explore how the role connects to kinship, culture, and power, and how it has shifted over time with church influence, migration, and modern kava clubs. Most importantly, we share real testimonies from women who have served as tou‘a, bringing to light their lived experiences of dignity, pressure, and in some ...
Pacific Empowerment
Episode Description: In this episode, I analyze Dr. Apo Aporosa’s article of the University of Waikato, "De-mythologizing and Re-branding of Kava as the New ‘World Drug’ of Choice” - a paper that defends kava as safe and culturally misunderstood. But here’s the real question: Can studies done on kava tablets in laboratories truly represent the reality of Pacific Island men drinking bowl after bowl every night? I also share real testimonies from wives in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, women whose hus...
