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View Full Version : Hawaii was not as Musa diverse as I thought it would be


Nicolas Naranja
03-05-2019, 09:10 AM
I was on the Big Island for 10 days and drove all around the island. I stayed in Waikaloa and on the west side drove from Hawi in the north to Southpoint in the south, I went to Hilo and Puna and covered a good part of the Hamakua coast. Probably my biggest surprise was Cherry blossoms in Waimea. Anyways, I saw lots of Brazillian bananas, both tall and dwarf and a fair amount of Cavendish. I saw a fair amount of Saba. The most exotic banana I ran across was an Ice Cream. I was expecting to see a lot more Iholena and Popoulu types. I even went to the Farmer's Market in Hilo and saw lots of exotic fruit, but not much in the way in exotic bananas, although foot long Cavendish bananas are quite a sight to see. The avocados of Kona were far more interesting to me.

This is what you find in the stores
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7866/47237004412_aa6e2e1e57_c.jpg

Some excellent looking Cavendish
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/46417759514_af8fe28612_c.jpg

Some Ice Cream
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/46417759224_d1508710c9_c.jpg

robguz24
03-05-2019, 02:48 PM
Ah shoot, I would have loved for you to contact me. I would have been happy to show you my collection, connect you with others with collections, and let you know where else you may find some unusual ones for sale. Popoulu and Iholena types remain a rarity here. Few grow them and they're some of the most difficult to grow. I can't keep them alive without digging up and replanting in virgin spots every year or less.

Nicolas Naranja
03-05-2019, 11:06 PM
Where on the island are you at? We went on an adventure trying to figure out where Ohana banana farms is. I met Mr. Young Tarring about 8 years ago and wanted to see his farm.

Ah shoot, I would have loved for you to contact me. I would have been happy to show you my collection, connect you with others with collections, and let you know where else you may find some unusual ones for sale. Popoulu and Iholena types remain a rarity here. Few grow them and they're some of the most difficult to grow. I can't keep them alive without digging up and replanting in virgin spots every year or less.

robguz24
03-06-2019, 12:56 PM
I'm past Pahoa near Kalapana, about 45 minutes from Hilo.

Nicolas Naranja
03-06-2019, 03:17 PM
We were actually in Pahoa and were going down the road to see the lava trees and turned around because it said the roads were closed. I guess I need to go back :)

robguz24
03-06-2019, 05:11 PM
Oh yeah, the other road remains open. Nothing past that closed road except 700 homes under lava. Let me know if you return!