Most of us are familiar with local apple bananas and the ubiquitous Central American “Chiquita” (aka Cavendish). Few of us know about or have eaten a Hawaiian banana or enjoyed bananas in a savory dish. The Waimea Valley Banana Festival is a fun exploration of the botanical and culinary history of the Hawaiian banana (maiʻa), as well as how to successfully grow and use bananas.
Banana varieties brought as canoe plants to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers include many varieties that have disappeared or are very difficult to find. These rare banana varieties include Iholenas, Maolis, Popoulus, and Fei bananas. In particular, Iholena and Maoli plants have been found growing in our forests, believed to have been planted by ancient Hawaiians and/or more recently by workers building irrigation canals. Effort has been underway to collect and preserve these unique varieties.
Ka Mai‘a ‘Ho’olaule’a (Banana Festival) will open up a world of banana flavors and colors. It will expand your notion of what a banana is and can be.
2024 Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival) at Waimea Valley
The Banana Festival was created to expand our notions of what a banana is and what it can become in our diet. Numerous activities and events will help you successfully grow and/or enjoy bananas in new ways.
- Where: Waimea Valley 59-864 Kamehameha Highway Haleiwa, HI 96712
- When: Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 10 AM
- Admission: TBA
- Ticket Discount: TBA
- More info: Home | Slow Food O’ahu (square.site) and Waimea Valley
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
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Oʻahu: Waimea Valley (Haleʻiwa)
59-864 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleʻiwa, HI 96712