ʻAwa
ʻAwa
Names
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: ʻAwa
- Other names: Kava
- Scientific: Piper methysticum
Growing Needs
- Partial shade
- High need for moisture
- Can grow 4-12 feet tall
Species Information
‘Awa is a perennial shrub with heart-shaped leaves and small flowers, historically cultivated for its roots, which are used to make a traditional ceremonial and medicinal drink. The plant is deeply connected to Hawaiian culture and rituals.
It grows best in partial shade with moist soils and tolerates warm, humid conditions. Propagation is typically done through cuttings. ‘Awa is valuable in home gardens for cultural use, attracts insects, and supports biodiversity in shaded understories.
Distribution
Polynesian introduction to Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island (Flora of the Hawaiian Islands).
Habitat
Lowland to mid-elevation wet forests, coastal valleys, and shaded moist areas
Threats
- Shot hole of ʻAwa (2009), Scott Nelson, University of Hawaiʻi
References & Additional Resources
- Hawaiian ʻAwa, Piper Methysticum, A Study in Ethnobotany (2004) Kāwika Winter, Master’s Thesis, University of Hawaiʻi
- Piper Methysticum: Flora of the Hawaiian Islands – Species Page/ Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
- Generally Recognized as Safe Determination for ʻAwa (2024), Hawaiʻi Department of Health
