MEDIA RELEASE

In season from April through September, mango gets its due during an inaugural festival Saturday, Aug. 1 during Mango Festival 2009. The all-day mango mania showcases Big Isle growers and chefs and begins with a cooking presentation and free sampling at the Keauhou Farmers’ Market, continues at the Kona Mango Experience and culminates at a Mango-Inspired Dinner.

KEAUHOU FARMERS’ MARKET

Mango mania kicks off 8 a.m.-noon at the Keauhou Farmers’ Market at Keauhou Shopping Center.

In addition to browsing for locally grown and produced food, check out a free farmer-chef presentation showcasing mango at 10 a.m.

Chef William Kaluakini Trask will demonstrate how to use mango in recipes and orchard manager Stuart Johnson will share growing and harvesting tips for backyard gardeners.

KONA MANGO EXPERIENCE

Geared for families, the Kona Mango Experience is 2-6 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort’s Royal Garden.

Vote for the best mango-inspired art, enjoy live entertainment and shop for mango-themed gifts and snacks: jams and chutneys, art, wood crafts, smoothies and shave ice.

While parents browse, children can enjoy the festival’s coloring book in the Keikiland area. In addition, families can take a guided walking tour of the resort’s historical heiau and grounds.

Got mango at home? Learn how to cultivate Mangifera indica with the guidance of several local experts who will detail growing, grafting and natural pest control.

Sharing their know-how will be Ken Love of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association, Marla and Pete Hunter of Eke Nui Farm and staff from the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Extension Office.

In addition, the Mango Experience will offer info on ways to use the nutrient-rich fruit.

Trask will lead Konawaena High School Culinary Arts students and instructor Chef Patti Kimball in demonstrating fresh fruit cutting and preparation techniques. Randyl Rupar of Mana Kea Gardens will delve into mango’s medicinal benefits.

Admission to the Kona Mango Experience is $10 and includes a bottle of Hawaiian Springs Water, a chance to win a host of prizes and your choice of a Kona Brewing Company beverage or the festival’s mango coloring book and crayons.

Tickets are available at the Kailua Village Artists Gallery at the Keauhou Beach Resort, Divine Goods in Holualoa, the Keauhou Farmers’ Market, the South Kona Green Market and at the door.

MANGO-INSPIRED DINNER

The juicy jive culminates with a Mango-Inspired Dinner 6:30 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

The menu is Thai Style Big Island Beef Salad with Mapulehu Mango Vinaigrette and South Kona Mango Scented Grilled Mahi Mahi with jasmine rice, asparagus and Rapoza Mango Relish. The magnificent mango meal finishes with Warm Haden Mango Sweet Bread Pudding with Mango Cream Anglaze.

Cost is $39.95. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available two ways: at Brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006.

MANGO FEST PACKAGE

The Keauhou Beach Resort is offering a Mango Fest Package. It includes tickets to the Kona Mango Experience and Mango-Inspired Dinner, a one-night stay at the hotel and complimentary self-service breakfast buffet the following day.

The package price is $149 for single and $199 for double, plus tax. In addition, the hotel’s Verandah Lounge celebrates the Mango Festival with a refreshing tropical libation, the Mangorita, priced at $6. It will be served during the day and at the dinner.

For reservations, phone 324-2515 or 1-866-326-6803 and ask for the Mango Fest Package.

The Mango Festival 2009 is a zero-waste event and presented by the non-profit Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens. Sponsors include the Kona County Farm Bureau, 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission, Keauhou Beach Resort, Kona Brewing Company, Keauhou Resort, Complete Art Service Hawaii, Produce to Product, Inc, and Kareeza Design Company,

For information, call 769-0672, send an e-mail to nkona@hawaii.rr.com or visit www.keauhoufarmersmarket.com and www.konafarmbureau.org.