robguz24
09-30-2012, 02:57 AM
On the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii there was a Breadfruit Goes Banana Festival early today (9/29). It was most bananaest thing I've ever done. Dozens of varieties of banana plants for sale, and many to buy and taste which are pictured here. Many varieties I have never seen for sale on this island, both fruit and plants. I scored one labeled as a "likely" High Noon (SH3610), a real Ele Ele (as opposed to the maybe mislabeled one I already have), and some type of Fe'i banana. I was shocked to see the Fei available, and by the end of the day, I think the one I bought was the only one sold. Average person here would have no idea what a Fe'i is, just as I wouldn't have a year or so ago.
Also had the pleasure of meeting Gabe15, attending a talk and cooking demo by Dr. Angela Kay Kepler, and met her and her husband co-author of the Hawaiian Banana book, Francis Rust.
In the 5 years I've been on this island, I'm not aware of anything comparable to this, and it's quite rare to get to sample so many types of bananas. I purchased to eat, some Mysore, Maia Lele, 2 Maia Maoli types, Hua Moa, High Noon, Monkey Fingers, and Namwah. First taste of High Noon, which I was very excited about. Can't wait to try the Monkey Fingers since I have a plant but have never tasted the fruit. All in all a great day and worth 6 hours of driving. Thought some might enjoy the pictures.
Dr. Keplers talk, less blurry in real life. Perhaps I couldn't contain my excitement enough to hold my phone steady.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50732&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50732)
Her cooking demo, she prepared 4 dishes using a few types of Hawaiian Bananas, Iholenas, A'ea'e, & Hua Moa.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50734&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50734)
The rest see the sign in the picture, where it's semi-readable.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50733&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50733)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50731&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50731)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50730&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50730)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50729&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50729)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50728&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50728)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50727&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50727)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50726&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50726)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50725&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50725)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50724&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50724)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50723&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50723)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50722&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50722)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50720&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50720)
Also had the pleasure of meeting Gabe15, attending a talk and cooking demo by Dr. Angela Kay Kepler, and met her and her husband co-author of the Hawaiian Banana book, Francis Rust.
In the 5 years I've been on this island, I'm not aware of anything comparable to this, and it's quite rare to get to sample so many types of bananas. I purchased to eat, some Mysore, Maia Lele, 2 Maia Maoli types, Hua Moa, High Noon, Monkey Fingers, and Namwah. First taste of High Noon, which I was very excited about. Can't wait to try the Monkey Fingers since I have a plant but have never tasted the fruit. All in all a great day and worth 6 hours of driving. Thought some might enjoy the pictures.
Dr. Keplers talk, less blurry in real life. Perhaps I couldn't contain my excitement enough to hold my phone steady.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50732&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50732)
Her cooking demo, she prepared 4 dishes using a few types of Hawaiian Bananas, Iholenas, A'ea'e, & Hua Moa.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50734&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50734)
The rest see the sign in the picture, where it's semi-readable.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50733&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50733)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50731&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50731)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50730&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50730)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50729&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50729)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50728&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50728)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50727&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50727)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50726&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50726)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50725&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50725)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50724&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50724)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50723&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50723)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50722&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50722)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50720&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50720)