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View Full Version : Visit to Kepler & Rust property-authors of Bananas in Hawaii book


robguz24
10-23-2015, 12:29 PM
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet Angela Kepler and Frank Rust at their property on Maui. They were such wonderful people and were very generous with providing rare Hawaiian Mai'a keiki to me, knowing that I'm trying to make them more available within Hawaii. Many of these cultivars are at risk of extinction. Some of the ones they shared with me grow in only 1-2 places in Hawaii. A few types I am very excited to now have are 'Eke'ula, a type that seems to be in between a Maoli and Popoulu type, Manai Ula, a Maoli type with fruit that starts out red, and Ele Ele subvariety Polua, which is quite black.

Having lunch. Dr. Kepler made some delicious Saba Dippig sauteed in coconut oil. Delicious!
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/robguz24/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7896_zpsj0nbfapb.jpg (http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/robguz24/media/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7896_zpsj0nbfapb.jpg.html)

Manini water sucker with amazing variegation.
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/robguz24/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7874_zpsgi0awphz.jpg (http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/robguz24/media/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7874_zpsgi0awphz.jpg.html)

Dr. Kepler amongst her mat of Mysore.
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/robguz24/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7872_zpsfegkfwti.jpg (http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/robguz24/media/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7872_zpsfegkfwti.jpg.html)

Ele Ele, Polua subvariety.
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/robguz24/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7871_zpspjlhjtbl.jpg (http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/robguz24/media/Robs%20bananas/IMG_7871_zpspjlhjtbl.jpg.html)

Rmplmnz
10-23-2015, 01:14 PM
Awesome!

geosulcata
10-23-2015, 02:30 PM
What a great opportunity! Thank you for sharing the pictures.

mushtaq86
10-23-2015, 04:02 PM
Thanks for sharing Rob, so how many cultivars have they got on the property, if you also get a chance to go back, could you ask them from me how much money they made selling those books :ha::ha:only kidding: bananas_b

crazy banana
10-23-2015, 04:30 PM
Beautiful property and what a chance to meet this couple. Thanks for sharing all the nice photos.
And I noticed that Angela did not cut the inflorescence of her Mysore but still has this humongous bunch. Lovely.

@ mushtaq86: that book is worth every penny. I highly recommend it.

mushtaq86
10-23-2015, 04:39 PM
Beautiful property and what a chance to meet this couple. Thanks for sharing all the nice photos.
And I noticed that Angela did not cut the inflorescence of her Mysore but still has this humongous bunch. Lovely.

@ mushtaq86: that book is worth every penny. I highly recommend it.

Hi crazy

I have the book, its an incredible book, hope they do another one because I would buy that one as well.

robguz24
10-23-2015, 09:03 PM
I think she mentioned 31 cultivars. A dozen or so are Hawaiian Mai'a. They had some namwah, mysore, green red, Saba Dippig, a couple Tongan types, Sucrier, Giant Plantain, and of course DB that I saw.

Rmplmnz
10-24-2015, 09:59 AM
At the risk of appearing obtuse, what book are you referring to?

When I google "Bio for Dr. Angela Kay Kepler & Francis G. Rust", I get:

Dr. Angela Kay Kepler is an energetic old-fashioned naturalist, meticulous researcher, author (18 books), and experimental cook.

Bio for Dr (http://www.pacificwideconsulting.com/bio.htm)

Thanks in advance.

mushtaq86
10-24-2015, 11:11 AM
At the risk of appearing obtuse, what book are you referring to?

When I google "Bio for Dr. Angela Kay Kepler & Francis G. Rust", I get:

Dr. Angela Kay Kepler is an energetic old-fashioned naturalist, meticulous researcher, author (18 books), and experimental cook.

Bio for Dr (http://www.pacificwideconsulting.com/bio.htm)

Thanks in advance.

Hi Chris

The book is "world of bananas in Hawaii"

robguz24
10-24-2015, 11:40 AM
This book. http://smile.amazon.com/World-Bananas-Hawaii-Traditional-Ornamentals/dp/0983726604/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445704774&sr=8-2&keywords=kepler+rust

I can't recommend it enough. Though it largely focuses on Hawaiian types, it covers many others and has some good basic info on nutrition, pests, and diseases.