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CAPTAIN COOK, BIG ISLAND—It’s technically a berry, yet related to cinnamon. Nicknamed an “alligator pear,” the avocado is native to the Caribbean and Mexico. It arrived to Hawai‘i in the early 1800s, brought by Don Marin, Kamehameha the Great’s horticulturist. By 1901, research was underway for its local propagation.
Learn all about the avocado—which is known to lower bad cholesterol while packing potassium, B vitamins and fiber— at the fourth annual Hawai‘i Avocado Festival 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. The free community, Zero Waste event is at the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden on Hwy. 11 and offers a wealth of activities for attendees of all ages. Opening Pule by Kumu Keala Ching.
Festival fun includes a chic green fashion show, a living Eco Village pavilion, a silent auction presented by Innovations Public Charter School, arts and crafts, healing arts, sustainable living displays and exciting keiki games.
Experts with UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers Assoc. will host demonstrations on avocado culture, including growing varieties suited to Hawai‘i, plus grafting techniques organic management, Bee keeping and pollination and a panel discussion, “putting the culture back into agriculture.”
New to this year’s festival is a demonstration of “figure casting” by Josef Hadley AKA Brudajo, teacher, sculptor, poet, writer and published author. His unique “FIGURECASTING” art “uses humans” to create sculpture—in this case a six-foot avocado. Also on display will be original festival art by Shirley Pu Wills, a Chinese brush painting titled “Avocados in the Breeze.” The art will be sold on prints and T-shirts and Wills will be available to sign prints.
The community is invited to vie in the festival’s fourth annual recipe contest, with competition in three categories: guacamole, savory and desserts. The top winner in each category takes home $100 gift certificates and prizes will be awarded for second and third place.
Contest entries will be accepted at 10 a.m. with judging at noon. Entry fee is $20. (Each entry must consist of a minimum 10 servings). Culinary instructors at Hawai‘i Community College and local high schools will serve as contest judges.
Attendees can enjoy free guacamole samples and sushi rolls. Healthful organic foods and beverage booths serving refreshing smoothies, juices and kava drinks will be available.
Hawai‘i Avocado Festival Sponsors
Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens, South Kona Green Market, Hawaii Island Green Initiative (HIGI), Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Hawai‘i Community College-West Hawai‘i Culinary Arts Program, UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers-West Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Health Guide, recyclehawaii.org, Zero Waste, Divine Goods, Keep It Green Hawai‘i, Kona Business Center, Hawaiian Springs Water, Island Naturals, Innovations Public Charter School, Friends of NELHA, Green Collar Technologies, Earth Matters,One Island Sustainability, Choice Mart, Kealakekua Ranch Center, Ace Hardware, creatingha.com, E Ola Mau Ke Ola Pono
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