Moana salutes mangoes with contests, menus

Saturday is devoted to all things mango at Moana Surfrider’s fifth annual “Mangoes at the Moana.” The celebration runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features recipe contests, cooking demonstrations, a farmers market, special lunch and tea menus, and gardening seminars. Call the hotel concierge at 922-3111 or go to goo.gl/A0jaO. The lineup includes:

» Mango recipe contest (8 to 11 a.m., Lani Kai room): Home cooks and chefs are welcome to bring their creations; registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Celebrity judges will pick their favorites.

» Best mango contest (8 to 10 a.m., Lani Kai room): Growers can enter two homegrown backyard mangoes for a chance to win "Best Mango of the Year" honors. Judges will base picks on flavor, skin, flesh, aroma and texture. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

» Farmers market (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Banyan Courtyard and Lani Kai room): Farmers will share samples of various mango varieties alongside products both edible and inedible, art and prepared dishes.

» Mango throwdown (Noon to 4 p.m., Banyan Courtyard): Ten celebrity chefs, including Chai Chaowasaree (Chef Chai), Hardy Kirschner (Michel’s) and Ed Kenney (town), whip up mango-centric dishes. Celebrity judges include "Top Chef" finalist Sheldon Simeon. Tastings are $6 per plate or $65 for all-you-can-taste through Friday; $75 at the door. Part of the proceeds benefits the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association.

» Mango-cooking demo (Grand Salon): Hector Wong, a self-taught pastry chef, will hold two workshops: Triple Mango Cheesecake (noon); mango roses and Hawaiian chocolate rose leaves for decorating cakes (1:15 p.m.).

» Cocktail Mixdown (4 to 5 p.m., Banyan Courtyard): Competition between cocktail enthusiasts and professional mixologists using Ketel One vodka.

» Seminars and workshops (11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lani Kai room): Sessions cover introduction to mangoes, pruning, grafting and how to keep a tree productive.

» Lunch and afternoon tea (Noon to 3 p.m., the Veranda): Mango-filled menu includes mango tea, mango scones, sorbet and mousse. Various prices.