Enough with the Haden, already.
Sure it’s a great mango, floral in scent, beautiful in color, firm of flesh and tasty whether unripe, half-ripe or fully ripe.
But the Haden is only one among dozens of mango varieties that grow in Hawaii, says Mark Suiso, CEO of Makaha Mangoes.
To spread awareness, he partners with the Moana Surfrider to produce Mangoes at the Moana, now in its eighth year. The event is purposely scheduled for the midpoint of mango season, when the Haden is in decline. This means more exposure for late-season varieties, Suiso says.
MANGO JAM
The city hosts a mango festival, 4:30 to 10 p.m. July 22 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 23 at Honolulu Hale. Buy mangoes and mango-themed food and drink (including cocktails).
Info: honolulu.gov/moca or 768-6622.
Related: Mango fares well in savory dishes
At their prime for the Moana festival will be the Gouveia and Excel mangoes, both local varieties.
Suiso hopes you will make their acquaintance, as well as that of their many cousins also in attendance at the Moana. “When a variety is at its peak, it’s going to be a good mango, no matter what variety it is.”
Suiso, a farmer and mango proselytizer, is adamant in his defense of the local fruit. “I haven’t found anybody as crazy as me yet,” he says.
High on his list is to encourage the planting of a range of mango varieties in backyards throughout the islands, for diversity’s sake but also because it would mean more mangoes spread out over more months of the year, “reducing the problem of people having too much at one time.”
Suiso will also be at the city’s Mango Jam, July 22 and 23, talking about care of mango trees.
Ask him the best place to buy local mangoes and he’ll tell you that you should be growing them yourself. But when pressed he suggests finding quality local fruit at farmers markets, Foodland stores, Down to Earth and Whole Foods Market.
What to do at Mangoes at the Moana
The event runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Moana Surfrider. Admission is free. Call 922-3111 or go to 808ne.ws/moanamangoes.
>> Eat: Eight chefs will compete in a “Mango Throwdown.” Buy tickets to taste at $6 per dish, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
>> Drink: Have a mango cocktail — use a Throwdown ticket to make a purchase, noon to 2 p.m.
>> Shop: Buy fruit or a mango tree at a farmers market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or place a bid at the silent auction.
>> Learn: Cooking demonstrations by pastry chef Nanako Perez-Nava (noon) and chef David Lukela (1:30 p.m.). Also, “Mango 101” teaches about varieties of mangoes and how to grow your own (1 p.m.)
>> Bargain: Buy eight Throwdown tickets by Friday and receive two more free (pay $48; get 10 tickets), plus free valet parking. Purchase through Honolulu Box Office, honoluluboxoffice.com.
