[It is equally true that the Kanakas will go for a long time without much food, and it can not be said they are a race of gluttons.] (14.) Awa (_Piper methysticum_) grows spontaneously in the mountains of the Hawaiian group.

The natives formerly cultivated it largely [and since the removal of the strict prohibition on its culture fields are not uncommon].

From the roots the natives prepare a very warm and slightly narcotic intoxicating drink.

It is made thus: women chew the roots, and having well masticated them, spit them, well charged with saliva, into a calabash used for the purpose.

They add a small portion of water, and press the juice from the chewed roots by squeezing them in their hands.
This done, the liquid is strained through cocoa-nut fibres to separate all the woody particles it may contain, and the awa is in a drinkable state.
The quantity drunk by each person varies from a quarter to half a litre (two to four gills).