The preparation from what I could tell is done from shredded, dried kava root. It looks like a dried herb and someone said it is related to pepper. The dry kava goes into a cheesecloth bag that is "kneaded" by hand in a large bowl called a tonoa (not Hawaiian, but from the South Pacific) of water. This produces what looks much like muddy water which is then scooped up (in the hand-made cups shown in the bowl) and repeatedly poured back into the bowl, I presume to dissolve any sediment.
Starting with the eldest (kupuna) and working down to youngest in order, the kava is served by the cup. Before receiving a cup you clap once, and after drinking clap twice and the server claps a few times - these rules I deduced from observation; I don't really know at all the proper etiquette. The drinking cups are made from coconut shells, hand carved, and between drinks the cups go into a water dish.
Kava has a delicate taste with a peppery touch and afterward your mouth may feel a little numb. It was pretty good, certainly compared to how it looked. I had 7 or 8 cups of about a half measuring cup each over a couple of hours as we nibbled on pupus (appetizers).
Kava is said to relax you and to loosen your joints. I am getting sleepy - not surprising at 10pm after a full work day - but do not note any particular effects.
It was great to sit around and talk story (chat) while drinking together with zero alcohol involved.
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