KAILUA-KONA — Mango tree branches are hanging low, weighted down by the red, green and yellow jewels ripening in the warm sun as the smell of the luscious fruit fills the air in Kona.
These sights and that sweet smell can only mean one thing: Mango season is here and it’s time to celebrate the juicy stone fruit with the annual Mango Festival, now in its 11th year.
The free, zero-waste event, presented by Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens, takes over Hale Halawai in Kailua Village today. Themed, “Mangoes From Mars: You’ll Eat, You’ll Learn, You’ll Enjoy,” the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.-and-later event features an array of mango, demonstrations, presentations, vendors, experts, chefs, scientists, enthusiasts and more.
“We want people to know Hawaiian mangoes are out of this world,” said Randyl Rupar, president of the nonprofit Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens, about this year’s space-based theme. “The mangoes here are just absolutely remarkable. They are just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.”
But you can only enjoy them here.
Hawaii-grown mango can’t be shipped to the U.S. mainland because of U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, Rupar said. Earlier this year, the USDA permitted shipping Sharwil avocados to 32 northern states and the District of Columbia during the winter months, the first time Hawaii-grown avos have reached the mainland since 1992.
“Unfortunately, we still can’t sell our mangoes to the mainland, so if you want to a good Hawaiian mango, you got to come here,” he said.
Commercially shipped mangoes found in some stores in Hawaii and across the mainland, Rupar explained, most often come from Central America. They are picked green and are also irradiated and heated before they can get into the U.S.
“Most people aren’t aware of the industry itself and that most of the mangoes come from Guatemala and they are Tommy Atkins (variety) grown basically to be picked green,” he said. “They’re picked at least a month before they are ready, so there’s no way they have the brix – the sugar content — that a Hawaiian mango would have.”
To show the difference, Rupar said he plans to purchase some of the imported mango to put alongside local varietals such as Haden and Rapoza.
“I’m just going to let people taste and sample and see how fortunate we are,” he said.
The first chunk of the day is devoted to the agricultural topics on mango, Rupar said, with demonstrations, presentations and more starting at 10:15 a.m. following an opening pule.
Harold Moody will take the stage first discussing mango grafting followed by Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association executive director Ken Love, who will discuss at 11:15 a.m. the history of mango in Hawaii, grove management and how to find the best variety for your property’s growing conditions. At 12:15 p.m., Jana Bogs, Ph.D., will present a piece on soil regeneration. Grafted mango trees will be available for purchase.
At 1 p.m. is mango food preparation and sampling of various types of “mango cuisine.” Rupar said four chefs will be serving their creations to attendees, including executive chef Steven Roulelle, a Mango Festival and Avocado Festival regular.
“I keep on telling people to come as hungry as they can be because they will really enjoy this,” Rupar added, “they don’t want to miss this one, not at all.”
At 2 p.m., the festival transitions to music and entertainment with an array of talents taking the stage keeping festivities going late into the evening, Rupar said.
“I have Hale Halawai until 10 o’clock on Sunday, so I’m going to keep the entertainment going as long as I can,” he added.
Headlining the afternoon is Dr. Tim’s Medicine Band, which will be performing songs from a variety of genre including blues, classic rock, folk, jazz, country and rock standards.
Performances by Maka Ukulele, Mr. Neill Mango Rap, Overtime and Native Record Bands will take the party until the doors must close.
Though the festival is an alcohol-free event, Rupar will also be serving up his Hawaiian Alii Mango Kava.
“If you’ve never had Alii Mango Kava, this will blow your mind,” he said. “You will absolutely love it.”
Info: visit www.mangofest.org.
