DUI CHARGE DISMISSED IN KAVA ROOT TEA CASE

San Mateo County prosecutors dismissed a charge of driving under the
influence Wednesday against a 60-year-old Menlo Park man arrested
after drinking several cups of tea made from kava root.

Kalisi Finau, a Tongan native, was arrested March 17, 2002, after a
police officer thought he was driving erratically. Finau admitted
drinking about 10 cups of kava at his church earlier that night,
according to his attorney, Mara Feiger.

On May 14, a jury deadlocked on his guilt, leading to a mistrial. On
Wednesday, the San Mateo County district attorney's office dismissed
the charge rather than pursue a new trial.