Inspired by kava bars across the US, William Hazell has opened Canberra’s first mobile van serving the traditional drink from Vanuatu.

“The influence is from Vanuatu, that’s the style of how to serve the kava, it’s a traditional Vanuatu way, but there’s kava bars in America,” Mr Hazell told CD.

“Knowing that, I thought if it’s working in a Western society like America, then why not Australia.”

The van has popped up across several locations in Canberra since mid-August, with some people already having returned for more.

Mr Hazell said for anyone who hadn’t tried it, kava has a bitter but earthy taste.

While he is originally from Australia, he said it felt good to share a part of his culture and heritage with the Canberra community.

“I enjoy explaining to some people about kava and all the stories behind it,” Mr Hazell said.

“I think mostly, I’m doing a little bit for my family in Vanuatu.”

His mother runs the company that processes the kava powder in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Mr Hazell said by sourcing the plant from rural farmers from the Vanuatu island of Pentecost, where his mother was born and raised, they supported hundreds of farmers and their families. He said kava was the biggest economic driver in Pentecost.

“We buy like a football field from one farmer which gives them enough money to build a small house or buy a truck, so it’s a lot of money that we’re putting back into the rural area,” Mr Hazell said.

He said kava meant many things to the people of Vanuatu.

“Depending on where you come from, it can mean something a little bit different,” he said.

“It is definitely drunk (consumed) for customs in Vanuatu, my custom is during mostly the kind of ceremonies where it brings two groups together to fix disputes.

“It is drunk regularly, not just in these cultural and customs settings, pretty much every day to relax the body as the lifestyle there is quite physical – I think it assists with that.”

To check out where to visit the van, head to capitalkava.com.au

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