opening kava bar in florida need help
thematthatter	[?]after experiencing a kava bar in west palm beach called lotus i was absolutely floored by the idea, especially that it was owned by a former bartender. after doing extensive research i still have issues ordering the product from just anyone. i am seeking reputable dealers with quality product and the lab tests to back it. i know i can have the product tested by hawiian agriculture research center to ensure quality but would rather avoid that...i know that this is a GREAT idea and that it will work....please help or e-mail to thematthatter@hotmail.com[?]
Jeremy	How is the establishment of the Florida Kava bar going these days? I'm stuck over here on the East coast, Pinellas county, and would love to see a bar opened up in my area.
artvandolay	I'm betting that Kava bars in continental U.S would ultimately be bad for an already shaky industry. Governmental scrutiny would inevitably follow were these things to proliferate...we all know what that leads to..
yee	On a lighter note if government scrutiny were involved perhaps they'd be converts too to the lovey-dovey [:X] atmosphere and consequence of the kava bars. Now if this became a political movement or cause then government action might be tempted.. As far as I'm aware, the experiences thus far of the kava bars in Honolulu, Kona and Hilo, have seemed just this way: there have been no bar fights, no DUI arrests (and HPD is always looking for an "issue"), and no problem with under-age (actually impossible) drinking. If anything, the kava bars are considered as social assets. Friendships are made and renewed, these bars, perhaps better to use "nakamals," provide a way to unwind in a relaxing atmosphere, and peace at home expectantly follows. [:)] Perhaps one question is there a way for kava nakamals to be deployed without the hysteria or is this unavoidable? I think in the long run kava will pan out and countries, e.g. recently Wales, will rescind their bans or be happy to welcome a sort of Hawaiian "Starbucks" as another social asset. Aloha, Jonathan Hawaiian Kava Center, LLC http://hawaiiankava.com
artvandolay	Since dashing off my first comment on this, I've been wondering if I was a little hasty. My knee-jerk reaction is to be very leery of governmental response to anybody having too good a time. Something else at work too I think...I kind of like the idea that not too many people in my part of the world..New England.. drink Kava...I know it's selfish, but I enjoy things like showing up to my Friday night poker game with a suppply of Kava while everyone else is drinking beer. I worry that if the rest of society catches on, the whole experience might be cheapened somehow. K mart brand Kava and the like. I can also easily see a time when some poor teenager wraps his car around a tree and it happens that he had been drinking kava. Next thing you know, hysteria breaks out...can some sort of repressive and wrong-headed legislation be far behind? And there is no question in my mind that kava, like any psychoactive substance would be abused by some. ButI'm a pessimist. Bottome line...the world would be a far better place were people to drink kava instead of alcohol. So in that spirit, were I given some hypothetical vote concerning these establishments, I would vote yes...
nakamal	I will have to agree with Jonathans perspective. I own the Nakamal in Boca Raton, Florida and after 2 years I have not had one fight, no DUI's and no problems from any government agencies. As long as no health claims are made in the sale of kava the FDA is not going to bother anyone. I'll take my chances. [;)]
Jeremy	A very interesting discussion indeed! But it has done little to bring a respectable kava bar to my neck of the woods! [:)] I see good points for both the expansion and the continued 'secrecy' of kava but I think I would most likely prefer the expansion. Good kava drinking buddies are hard to come by! Oh, and why I'm at it, Jonathan, your's is by far the most phenomenal kava I have ever enjoyed out of the dozens of merchants I have purchased from. Keep up the good growning!
Jeremy	Another thing that may hinder the expansion of 'nakamals' accross North America and beyond is climate. I've noticed that kava drinking in cooler weather is not quite as pleasant as drinking it during warm and muggy weather. This could be due to the cooling affect kava has on the body. Or is this just a preference of mine? Does anyone else find kava less enjoyable when the thermometer dips below 70?
artvandolay	I hadn't realized that this was a documented effect. I had always assumed it was just some sort of idiosyncratic reaction when my hands get cold after drinking kava...
Purple Lotus	Kava root... make ya relax, not give a hoot. a fresh rhyme from an american kava room. I own Purple Lotus in West Palm Beach FLA. I am thanked daily for opening. Each island of Oceania has their interpretation of what Kava is and how they want to represent it. Here in America I feel that we too must represent kava and are entitled to come up with our own customs and traditions. The absorption of Hawaii as part of the US gives us that honor. Anyone who drinks kava represents it well. The day the Government casts it's gaze negatively on Kava is the day I officially become a politician.[}:)]
Kava_d	After reading what everybody above had to say it really feels good to know that there are people here in the US that seem to truly respect the 'idea' behind Kava Kava. I dont know too much about the interaction between Kava and politics but I agree it's something to keep our eye on before it heads in the wrong direction. As for a 'Nakamal' opening up here (New England), that would be cool but I'd rather take my 'shell' in a place a bit warmer, that's why I'm planning a trip to FL just to hit up the 'Nakamal' there with some good kava buddies (they are hard to find[:D]). Untill then I'll be having my 'ceremonies' (get-to-gethers) using nothing but fresh root and one very large 'TANOA'! Good luck with with the Nakamals and may we all learn more from really 'listening' to the Kava or by asking the natives with their 3,000-years of experience[:)]! Your Kava friend Bryan
Nakamal Pimp	im also gonna be headin down to florida this summer to check out the scene and maybe indulge at the nakamal. im also looking to check out another kava type of place that i heard about called the Purple Lotus which i cant wait to see. I hope to see some og you guys while im down there. Kava'd we should get in touch and maybe we can meet up in florida of possible this summer cause its so hard to find good kava drinkin buddies. See you all soon "GET KAVA'ED UP"