Two festivals celebrating locally grown mangoes are planned for this summer.
The Moana hotel in Waikïkï will sponsor a mango festival July 11 with cooking demonstrations, tasting, farmer appearances and other events, plus special mango items on its restaurant menus and at its celebrated tea through July. Details are still being worked out for this event, co-sponsored by Share Your Table, the culinary Web site. Watch The Advertiser for more details in June.
In Keauhou on the Big Island, Mango Festival 2009 is set for Aug. 1 at the Keauhou Farmers' Market at Keauhou Shopping Center and at the Keauhouse Beach Resort. The farmers' market is open from 8 a.m. to noon with free farmer-chef presentations on mangoes. Events continue from 2 to 6 p.m. with the Kona Mango Experience at the Keauhou Beach Resort's Royal Garden where attendees can learn how to grow and prepare mango for eating, vote for the best mango-inspired art and shop for mango-themed gifts. At 6:30 p.m., the Resort will host a Mango-Inspired Dinner.
Information: 808-769-0672 or e-mail nkona@hawaii.rr.com.