Ka Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a / Banana Festival 2023
Oct. 21 • 10AM - 2PM • Waimea Valley
Special pre-Festival banana lecture at 9AM
Free your Inner Banana!
Bananas are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert food in Hawai‘i. They were one of the key canoe plants, carried on Polynesian voyaging canoes. Today, from our home gardens to local plantations, bananas are everywhere in Hawai‘i. They are essential sustenance, and so much more. Peel on out, and learn more when you go to
Banana Fiber Weaving
Did you know, banana fibers are used like lauhala for weaving? Mahina Pukahi will show you how it’s done.
Featured Events
Bananas: Not just for smoothies! Discover their delightful versatility at the Banana Festival. Check out our events.
Banana Presentation by Gabe Sachter- Smith @ 9AM, before the Festival opens.
T-shirt & Tote Banana Fiber Printing / Bring your own / Or buy at the Fest.
Banana Tasting Table
Free Admission to Waimea Valley. If you have never been here before now is a great time to do so.
Textile Dyeing with unique trunk and leaf patterns.
Banana Fest was fun for the whole family! The kids enjoyed learning to weave with banana and tasting many different varieties. Lots of delicious banana dishes, and it was so awesome to talk story with a great collection of plant people. We’ll definitely come back again to the beautiful Waimea Valley.
Kalani Matsumura
Good People.
Good Times.
Support Slow Foods’ goal of biodiversity! Join at the Fest where it's
Banana Fest is being put on by the people at Slow Food O‘ahu, among others.
Featured Books
World of Bananas by Angela Kay Kepler, the only Hawai‘i-centric banana book, covering more than you ever thought possible about bananas and bananas in Hawai‘i. Includes 80 great recipes. $85 at the Fest compared to $100 on Ebay, if you can find it.
Slow Foods’ Ark of Taste, includes features on Kiawe Honey and Ele Ele Bananas, two of Hawai‘i’s Ark foods. | $30 for Slow Food USA’s The Ark of Taste, retails for $35.
Paniolo Wisdom
Out on the range nothin’ tastes better than a banana.
Featured Events
Bananas: Not just for smoothies! Discover their delightful versatility at the Banana Festival. Check out our events.
Banana Dish Samples from Kokohead Cafe, Nami Kaze, Michele’s, and the Aloha Culinary Group.
Banana Plants: 10 varieties of Plants For Sale
Join Slow Food during our Fall Membership Drive — It’s Pay-What-You-Want Day!
Sample & Taste: Banana Flower Adobo
The Waimea Falls Maia festival was a treat for the senses including tasting multiple exotic banana varieties that are not easily found, even in Hawai‘i.
Tina Lau, Jr Extension Agent, University of Hawai‘i
The festival engaged the senses—seeing the number of people in attendance reminded me that bananas are the most widely consumed fruit in the world; listening to the conversations at the information booths demonstrated interest in propagating and knowing more; tasting, touching and smelling the different varieties of bananas as we entered was an attention grabber!
Sharon Hurd, Chair, Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture
For the keiki…
and
the adults too.
Join with others making your own artwork using the parts of a banana and banana plant. All parts of banana plants are used for food, art, and handicrafts. Bring your own shirt or tote bag. Or buy a blank one at the Festival to dye.
A Good Time Is
Had By All
Banana plant parts make great designs
At the Banana Fest you can also create a beautiful
Be a part of
Banana Festival 2023
Spread the Word | Spread the Love | Get Tickets
Get a Booth (sends an email) |Buy Tickets (Tickets Required) | Donate Bananas
