Kava Coalition is an alliance of kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice.
We aim to empower individuals to make informed decisions about kava, promoting responsible and knowledgeable consumption choices. We understand the importance of preserving Kava's history and cultural heritage. Through educational initiatives and community engagement, we promote awareness and appreciation for kava's traditional practices and cultural significance. Simultaneously, we advocate for modern regulation that reflects current scientific knowledge, ensuring consumer safety and product integrity.
The Kava Coalition is dedicated to creating a future where kava is widely recognised, understood, and accessible to those who seek its benefits.
Meet the Team
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Douglas La Rose
Executive Director
Douglas La Rose is the Executive Director of the Kava Coalition, where he leads a global alliance of consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to promoting the safe, responsible use of kava and advancing public education about its cultural and economic importance. With over 15 years of experience in agriculture, trade, and development across sub-Saharan Africa, he has held leadership roles on agricultural development projects at ACDI VOCA, Corus International, Counterpart International, and Catholic Relief Services. An anthropologist by training, Douglas began his career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana and continues to bridge culture, agriculture, and markets in his work. He holds an M.A. in Applied Anthropology from San Diego State University, a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara, and is completing a Masters in Agribusiness from Doane University.
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Dr. Simon Gellar
Director of UK Kava Coalition
Dr. Simon Gellar is a lecturer in Criminology at the University of Kent, where he has worked since 2021. His research seeks to understand novel psychoactive substances and their relative benefits and harms, alongside the lived experience of consumers, to inform more precise drug policy in the U.K. and internationally. Specific to kava, his research challenges the prohibition of its sale in the U.K. and untangles misconceptions about the plant from a cross-cultural perspective.
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Mike Salem
Fellow
Mike Salem is a fellow at Kava Coalition UK and advises on its campaign operations.
He has worked on campaigns on a range of issues in the UK, with particular focus on freedom to choose, notably on sin taxes, digital markets and NHS reform.
He graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and was actively involved in promoting free speech and debate during his time there. Mike also volunteers on the governing board of a local school and enjoys activities like tennis and playing the bassoon.
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Viliami Lolohea
Diplomatic Representative:
First Secretary, Tonga High Commission in London. Visionary Leader | Diplomat | Pacific Sustainability Advocate
Viliami Lolohea is a Tongan diplomat, educator, and environmental advocate currently serving as First Secretary at the Tonga High Commission in London. With deep roots in both the Pacific Islands and Europe, he brings a rare and powerful blend of cultural fluency, diplomatic experience, and strategic foresight. Read Viliami’s full bio here.