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.
2023 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: Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10 AM – 2 PM
- Admission: $12. Includes admission to Waimea Valley (regularly GA $25, Kamaʻāina $10). Children under 12 are free.
- Ticket Discount: Save on advance purchase: Banana Festival at Waimea Valley / Ka Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a Tickets, Sat, Oct 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
- More info: Waimea Valley
Check out the list of highlights detailing some of the other fun activities available during this one-day banana festival at Waimea Valley.
2023 Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival) highlights
A special lecture will be given from 9-10AM by Gabe Sacher-Smith, co-sponsor and owner of the Banana Source. Gabe talk about mai’a culinary lore, botanical history, and best growing practices.
This event will happen before the official opening of the Fest at 10am. Fairgoers who want to attend this very informative talk & slide show should be at Waimea Valley no later than 8:45 a.m. with your Eventbrite tickets in hand (or purchase tickets at the door). For more details or further information Laurie Carlson 808-330-5049.
- Chefs will provide samples of banana dishes for your enjoyment and edification.
- Banana samples featuring numerous varieties of bananas.
- Bring your own t-shirt or purchase a blank t-shirt and decorate it at the banana fiber printing booth.
- Dye a piece of kapa with purple fe‘i banana sap.
- Demonstration of lauhala and banana fiber weaving.
- Banana merchandise, books, and other mai‘a paraphernalia for sale.
- Plants and fruits for sale.
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Calendar of free and cheap events
Listed below are upcoming events from our calendar.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
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