Kava (Piper methysticum) is cultivated not only for ordinary use but as an essential element in social usage and ceremonial. It grows best in stony around and is to be seen planted close to the houses where such conditions exist. Different varieties are recognized. The Samoan form of the kava name is 'ava.

The Tutuilans maintain that the first kava was found at Fanga-fue on the north coast of Tutuila. Manuan legends are full of references to the use of kava in the Tangaloa period. Kava drinking occurs in the passages between Tangaloa-ui and Pava whence is derived the expression "Liunga lua le taeao" of which a free translation is, "The second bowl of kava is the better." One of the trials to which Le Lafonga, the younger brother of Tae-o-Tangaloa, was subjected was obtaining the 'ava va'ai (wild kava), which joined together again immediately it was cut. The medical use of kava has been summarized by Churchill (7, pp. 57-58).

The plant was suitable for use after four or five years growth. The whole plant was dug up and the tops removed leaving part of the stems attached to the roots. The mass of roots was split up into convenient portions. Two internodes of stem were left attached to large pieces of root to form the tungase for presentation to visitors of rank. (See Plate VIII A, 1.) The stem part formed a handle for carrying the tungase. The earth was beaten off and the roots washed, scraped, and dried in the sun. Roots not suitable for tungase had the stems cut off, and were divided up into short lengths to form the fasi 'ava for ordinary use. The chiefs' name for this form was 'ava fele fo'e. The long liner roots made the best kava and were not scraped. (See Plate VIII A, 3.) They were also used in the 'ava uso ceremony (uso, brother). A chief had to have a stock of dried kava always on hand not only for his own use, but for the innumerable calls made upon him by ceremonial custom. Those below the rank of matai (head of a small family group) were exempt from such calls. On election to the rank of matai, one of the first things to be done was to lay in a stock of kava. Failure to comply with the customary presentation of kava led to loss of prestige and probably deposition from a position which the holder failed to maintain with dignity.