The Kava Coalition announced a series of major developments this month as it continues to expand international partnerships, strengthen kava research, and promote responsible trade and cultural recognition for kava worldwide.
The Kava Coalition strengthened Pacific partnerships, advanced scientific validation, and expanded global policy recognition for kava through new government agreements, research initiatives, and international collaborations. The coalition plans to provide future updates on trips to other Pacific Island kava-producing countries.
On-the-Ground Actions in Fiji
Kava Coalition Executive Director Douglas LaRose traveled to Fiji to meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade, the University of the South Pacific, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to brief them on the Kava Coalition’s work and explore new collaboration opportunities. Meetings were also held with leading private-sector exporters, including Lami Kava, to discuss export constraints, quality standards, and farmer training initiatives.
Memorandum of Understanding with Fiji Ministries
The Kava Coalition is also finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fiji’s Ministries of Agriculture and Trade to create a formal framework to share kava testing data, improve post-harvest handling, and develop training materials for farmers addressing dieback disease and quality control.
The agreement will enable government agencies to identify problematic exporters, strengthen regulatory consistency, and provide new extension materials, including manuals and videos, to support sustainable kava production and inspire new generations of farmers. The initiative also includes competitions and incentive programs for kava growers, supported by Fiji’s Ministry of Trade.
Regional Outreach and Video Documentation
Following meetings in Fiji, the Kava Coalition continued regional outreach with visits to Vanuatu’s Santo region and the Solomon Islands (Malaita) to document on-the-ground perspectives from farmers, government leaders, and exporters. These video projects will spotlight the challenges and opportunities facing kava production and are part of Kava Coalition’s broader effort to elevate Pacific voices in the global kava conversation.
The footage will contribute to a series of five to six new videos, set for release in November, complementing Kava Coalition’s Inside the Tanoa series, which recently featured kava bar stories from Kava & Kettlebells in Florida and Root City Kava Bar in Maryland.
Advancing Kava Science and Safety
The Kava Coalition’s research partnership with Cambium Analytica is nearing completion of its second market survey, with results expected in early November. The Kava Coalition is also working closely with Roy Upton on next steps for the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) Kava Monograph, including publication of a public executive summary and production of an educational video summarizing key findings on kava safety and composition.
At the same time, the Kava Coalition is coordinating with the University of the South Pacific to engage regional researchers conducting toxicology studies and planning a scientific dialogue with the U.S. National Toxicology Program. Additional studies on kava flavor profiles are underway to reinforce the cultural framing of kava as a food consumed for its aroma and flavor.
UK Kava Coalition Expands Influence
Across the Atlantic, the UK Kava Coalition, KC’s regional partner, is making major progress on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) novel food submission. The UK Kava Coalition is now collaborating directly with the Fiji High Commission, with support from the Tongan High Commission and Pacific diaspora leaders, to formalize the safety dossier and integrate scientific data from the AHP Monograph and Cambium Analytica testing framework.
The Kava Coalition and UK Kava Coalition are also partnering with the Centre for Evidence-Based Drug Policy (CEBDP) and Members of Parliament through upcoming All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) engagements to raise awareness of kava’s cultural and economic value. A Pacific endorsement and signature campaign led by Fijian and Tongan communities will launch in November to showcase regional unity and public support.
Building Toward a Global Kava Conference
Following this period of consolidation, the Kava Coalition plans to convene the first Kava Coalition Global Conference in mid-to-late 2026. The event will bring together Pacific government representatives, scientists, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of kava trade, science, and cultural preservation.
Strengthening the Kava Movement
“This has been a pivotal month for the Kava Coalition,” said LaRose. “We are deepening our Pacific partnerships, advancing scientific credibility, and ensuring that kava’s cultural heritage and future are both protected and promoted through responsible, evidence-based collaboration.”
About Kava Coalition
The Kava Coalition is an alliance of noble kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice. By promoting responsible consumption, market transparency, and cultural respect, the Coalition works to ensure that noble kava is widely recognized, accessible, and valued as a safe, pro-social beverage. For more information, visit www.kavacoalition.org.
Media Contact
Meagan Luevano
info@kavacoalition.org
+1 916-603-1839
