Latest news with #Harold
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Kiribati's Considerable Kava Consumption
Article – RNZ Michael Louze, former chairman of the Vanuatu Kava Industry said when you break it down, it's about four kilograms of kava per person annually if half the population was the world's largest consumer of Vanuatu kava in 2024. The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that last year the country imported 280 metric tonnes of kava from Vanuatu. Michael Louze, former chairman of the Vanuatu Kava Industry and a kava exporter to the United States, said when you break it down, it's about four kilograms of kava per person annually if half the population drinks. 'Some drink more, some less. But even at that level, it's a solid figure for a country this size.' In 2023, China was the world's largest importer of raw kava, but 99 per cent of it went towards extract production for re-export. 'China was never a market for kava,' Louze said. 'It made more sense for the bulk product to go through China. But in Kiribati, it's different. They're drinking it – no processing, no re-export. Pure consumption.' But one Kiribati kava bar owner, Kantaake Robapi, said there's too many of them now. 'Each village has a kava bar. There are too many kava bars in Kiribati. 'You pay AUD$150 [approximately US$97] for a licence. The Ministry of Health checks the premises – the toilets, tools for cleaning kava. Once they approve, you pay your fee to the Tarawa council.' Kiribati's Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has raised concerns about kava's effects on society. Kwansing told the ABC the impact of high kava consumption is being felt at homes. 'If fathers aren't home with their children and their wives, then obviously they're not looking after their families and their children,' she said. 'If they're spending all the money on kava, then where's the funds that the family needs for food and basic essentials?' She said men were exhausted from late-night kava drinking and not able to cut toddy or go out fishing and were not productive at home. Meanwhile, Tonga is calling on fellow Pacific kava producers to follow its lead in restricting the export of kava for extraction – a move that has sparked strong pushback from Vanuatu and Fiji, the region's two largest kava exporters. Tonga's positioncomes from concerns over cultural erosion and potential misuse, and promotes the idea that kava should only be consumed in its traditional, drinkable form – not processed into extracts for capsules, powders, or supplements abroad. There's also worries about a shortage in Vanuatu. Louze linked the shortage to several causes: the increasing number of kava farmers joining seasonal work programmes in Australia and New Zealand, damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold on Pentecost in 2020, and growing demand in the Port Vila market. A kava plant takes more than five years to mature before it can be harvested. 'People in Port Vila are consuming tons of kava every week, but they are not planting it,' he said. 'The population is growing rapidly, and more young men and women are drinking kava daily.' But he also said farmers cannot go wrong with planting kava with demand both locally and internationally growing, and prices have never been so high.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Kiribati's Considerable Kava Consumption
Michael Louze, former chairman of the Vanuatu Kava Industry said when you break it down, it's about four kilograms of kava per person annually if half the population was the world's largest consumer of Vanuatu kava in 2024. The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that last year the country imported 280 metric tonnes of kava from Vanuatu. Michael Louze, former chairman of the Vanuatu Kava Industry and a kava exporter to the United States, said when you break it down, it's about four kilograms of kava per person annually if half the population drinks. 'Some drink more, some less. But even at that level, it's a solid figure for a country this size.' In 2023, China was the world's largest importer of raw kava, but 99 per cent of it went towards extract production for re-export. 'China was never a market for kava,' Louze said. 'It made more sense for the bulk product to go through China. But in Kiribati, it's different. They're drinking it – no processing, no re-export. Pure consumption.' But one Kiribati kava bar owner, Kantaake Robapi, said there's too many of them now. 'Each village has a kava bar. There are too many kava bars in Kiribati. 'You pay AUD$150 [approximately US$97] for a licence. The Ministry of Health checks the premises – the toilets, tools for cleaning kava. Once they approve, you pay your fee to the Tarawa council.' Kiribati's Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has raised concerns about kava's effects on society. Kwansing told the ABC the impact of high kava consumption is being felt at homes. 'If fathers aren't home with their children and their wives, then obviously they're not looking after their families and their children,' she said. 'If they're spending all the money on kava, then where's the funds that the family needs for food and basic essentials?' She said men were exhausted from late-night kava drinking and not able to cut toddy or go out fishing and were not productive at home. Meanwhile, Tonga is calling on fellow Pacific kava producers to follow its lead in restricting the export of kava for extraction – a move that has sparked strong pushback from Vanuatu and Fiji, the region's two largest kava exporters. Tonga's positioncomes from concerns over cultural erosion and potential misuse, and promotes the idea that kava should only be consumed in its traditional, drinkable form – not processed into extracts for capsules, powders, or supplements abroad. There's also worries about a shortage in Vanuatu. Louze linked the shortage to several causes: the increasing number of kava farmers joining seasonal work programmes in Australia and New Zealand, damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold on Pentecost in 2020, and growing demand in the Port Vila market. A kava plant takes more than five years to mature before it can be harvested. 'People in Port Vila are consuming tons of kava every week, but they are not planting it,' he said. 'The population is growing rapidly, and more young men and women are drinking kava daily.' But he also said farmers cannot go wrong with planting kava with demand both locally and internationally growing, and prices have never been so high.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Kiribati's Considerable Kava Consumption
Kiribati was the world's largest consumer of Vanuatu kava in 2024. The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that last year the country imported 280 metric tonnes of kava from Vanuatu. Michael Louze, former chairman of the Vanuatu Kava Industry and a kava exporter to the United States, said when you break it down, it's about four kilograms of kava per person annually if half the population drinks. "Some drink more, some less. But even at that level, it's a solid figure for a country this size." In 2023, China was the world's largest importer of raw kava, but 99 per cent of it went towards extract production for re-export. "China was never a market for kava," Louze said. "It made more sense for the bulk product to go through China. But in Kiribati, it's different. They're drinking it - no processing, no re-export. Pure consumption." But one Kiribati kava bar owner, Kantaake Robapi, said there's too many of them now. "Each village has a kava bar. There are too many kava bars in Kiribati. "You pay AUD$150 [approximately US$97] for a licence. The Ministry of Health checks the premises - the toilets, tools for cleaning kava. Once they approve, you pay your fee to the Tarawa council." Kiribati's Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has raised concerns about kava's effects on society. Kwansing told the ABC the impact of high kava consumption is being felt at homes. "If fathers aren't home with their children and their wives, then obviously they're not looking after their families and their children," she said. "If they're spending all the money on kava, then where's the funds that the family needs for food and basic essentials?" She said men were exhausted from late-night kava drinking and not able to cut toddy or go out fishing and were not productive at home. Meanwhile, Tonga is calling on fellow Pacific kava producers to follow its lead in restricting the export of kava for extraction - a move that has sparked strong pushback from Vanuatu and Fiji, the region's two largest kava exporters. Tonga's positioncomes from concerns over cultural erosion and potential misuse, and promotes the idea that kava should only be consumed in its traditional, drinkable form - not processed into extracts for capsules, powders, or supplements abroad. There's also worries about a shortage in Vanuatu. Louze linked the shortage to several causes: the increasing number of kava farmers joining seasonal work programmes in Australia and New Zealand, damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold on Pentecost in 2020, and growing demand in the Port Vila market. A kava plant takes more than five years to mature before it can be harvested. "People in Port Vila are consuming tons of kava every week, but they are not planting it," he said. "The population is growing rapidly, and more young men and women are drinking kava daily." But he also said farmers cannot go wrong with planting kava with demand both locally and internationally growing, and prices have never been so high.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘It's the small details', says emotional Amy Huberman as she shares touching tribute to late dad on anniversary of death
AMY Huberman has paid a touching tribute to her late dad on the anniversary of his death. The Finding Joy star's beloved dad Harold Huberman passed away in 2022 after living with Parkinson's disease. 2 Amy's beloved dad Harold passed away three years ago Credit: Instagram 2 The actress shared a touching tribute to her dad Credit: Instagram Harold was 84-years-old when he passed away, leaving behind a mighty legacy. The actress shared a touching poem written by Pip O'Neill titled, Tell Me Their Name. The poem highlights the importance of keeping memories alive by speaking about loved ones and recalls small details and stories that made them who they are. read more on amy huberman In the caption of her post, Amy reflected on some of the things she remembers most about her dad. She wrote: "It's the small detail of things and bits and ways of who we are, who we were, the things that both hurt and sooth us to remember when they are gone. "But remember we will, to keep their memory. My Dad's tea; teabag in and out in less than .5 of a second, slice of lemon. "Saying 'good news' anytime he ate something he liked. Calling you a 'daft git', accompanied by a wry smile being his convivial greeting to anyone in his inner circle. most read in the irish sun "The dog sitting at his feet in the evening by his chair. His calling out 'bring me back a parrot!' whenever you left the house. His tweed flat cap. "Laughing at every episode of Only Fools And Horses like he hadn't already watched it a thousand times." Inside Amy Huberman's birthday celebrations as she enjoys boozy night out with hubby Brian O'Driscoll Amy's fans and friends flocked to the comment section to share their love. Jillian said: "This is just gorgeous. Sounds like your Dad was the best fun." Theresa commented: " Love this @amy_huberman . Good to remember our loved ones who have left this earth but not our hearts. " POUR DECISION Amy recently announced a "versatile" The Irish actress has added another string to her bow after becoming a business owner with the launch of her own branded wine. Taking to The mum-of-three wrote: "Ah… here! An absolute pinch-me moment to be just days away from launching @ah_wines. "Ah, a versatile phrase expressing surprise, understanding, pleasure, excitement, wonderment or eureka moments!"
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Your Forma Episode 9 To Reveal Tosti Creator—Recap, Release Date, Where To Stream And More
The eighth episode of Your Forma, 'Fiction,' featured Echika and Harold deceiving Raissa into thinking her brother was in danger. When Raissa rushed home and a message from E was sent, her identity as E was confirmed. She attempted to attack but was stopped by her brother Hugues. Echika later performed a Brain Dive on Hugues and discovered he disliked being a Cyber Inspector and had received the E AI Profiler from someone else. However, the CID learned the creator had used a false identity under the name 'Alan Jack Lascelles' to remain hidden. Your Forma Episode 9 will likely see Echika and Harold pursue the hidden developer of the AI Profiler and Tosti programs. Since the creator's true identity remains concealed, uncovering their location will be the investigators' next challenge. With Echika's data processing abilities fully restored, she will resume her duties as Cyber Inspector and continue working with Harold. The episode may also explore more about Harold's undisclosed circumstances, hinting at secrets tied to his existence. According to the official website, Your Forma Episode 9 is set to air on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:45 pm JST. Depending on time zones and simulcast schedules, viewers in some regions may see the episode a day later. Your Forma Episode 9 will first premiere on TV Asahi's 'IMAnimation W' programming block, with additional broadcasts on BS Asahi and CS Teletext Channel 1. In Japan, it will also be available for streaming on platforms such as ABEMA, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more shortly after its television debut. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates on the Your Forma anime.
