First baseline HPLC enantioseparation of kavain is described. Complete enantiodiscrimination was achieved on the immobilised-type Chiralpak IA chiral stationary phase (CSP) using pure methanol and simple methanol-water and ethanol-water mixtures as eluents. A water-dependent enantioselectivity was clearly demonstrated. Performance of the Chiralpak IA CSP in polar organic and RP conditions was compared with that of five coated polysaccharide-derived CSPs used in normal-phase mode.