Is kava alcohol?: The myths and the facts

This paper addresses the misconception that kava is an alcoholic substance. After a brief introduction as to what prompted the writing of this, I follow by discussing kava's cultural importance to Pacific peoples, and then compare kava 'intoxication' with alcohol intoxication. The paper concludes with a discussion of the historical influences that have promoted some of the misconceptions surrounding kava. Ultimately the paper demonstrates that kava and alcohol are entirely different kinds of beverages with different effects, and that lingering misconceptions can be seen as a 'colonial hangover'.