Aporosa, S. 'Apo'2017-05-1520172017-05-152017Aporosa, S.A. (2017). Kava: Untangling fact from fiction. Paper presented at the Kava: A workshop for kava researchers and enthusiasts, Anthropology and Pacific Studies Seminar Series, The University of Waikato, April 21.https://hdl.handle.net/10289/11047Kava, in both its plant and drink form, is Pasifika’s ‘cultural keystone species’ and a potent icon of identity with some of its medicinal efficacy legitimised within Western pharmacology and research. However, for every positive concerning kava there appears to be a counterpoint: kava is being ‘abused’; kava causes liver damage; kava encourages men to stay away from home for lengthy periods negatively impacting the family; kava turns it’s drinkers into Zombies incapable of functioning the next day, etc. This presentation addresses these claims while also seeking reasons as to what motivates kava criticism.video/mp4en© 2017 copyright with the presenterKavaPasifikaWestern pharmacology and researchConference Contribution