How to get to the Festival
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Mahalo to Our Great Banana Cook-Off Sponsors
Banana 101
Bananas grow from a herbaceous plant, not a tree, making them the largest herb flowering plant.
Banana Stamping
Great for kids of all ages. Use the paints and banana plant parts to make art! Bring your own shirt or tote (or buy a blank) and stamp a banana-inspired design.
The Great Banana Cook-Off
Bring your banana dish to the cook-off for the judges to evaluate and taste. Great prizes from Farm Link Hawaiʻi, Patagonia, Kualoa Ranch & Hoʻokuaʻāina.
Submit your entry
Banana Talk by Gabe Sachter-Smith
Hawai‘i banana expert shares knowledge on biodiversity, botanical history, horticultural tips and culinary uses. Starts at 1:00 PM sharp. Have your wristband ready and get your seat. Lecture hall opens at 12:30 PM.
Banana 101
There are over 1,000 different varieties of bananas in the world, subdivided into 50 groups.
Ornamental Banana Trees Are Exotic
Banana T-shirts and Totes
Check out t-shirts, stickers, books, cards, and totes featuring unique banana and island designs by local artists. Fun souvenirs.
Banana Tasting
Expand your banana horizons. Sample from a dozen unusual varieties of island-grown bananas.
Banana Sap Dyeing
Watch Wesley Sen demonstrate dyeing on kapa using rich purple feʻi banana sap — a technique unique to Samoa.
Banana Fibers Fashion Show
Iris Viacrusis will display his latest designs and the use of banana fibers to make both traditional and contemporary clothing at 11 AM.
Banana 101
The Latin name for bananas is “musa sapientum” which translates into “fruit of the wise men.”
Lots to See and Do at the Banana Fest
5th Annual Ka Ho‘olaule‘a Mai‘a / Banana Festival 2026
Eat them. Weave them. Grow them.
Bananas are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert in Hawaiʻi. Brought here as key canoe plants more than a thousand years ago, they now thrive in home gardens and island plantations—essential sustenance and so much more.
Banana 101
You can polish leather with the inside of a banana peel—polish your shoes or handbags with them and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Banana Weaving
Mahina Pukahi shows how to weave black (ele ele) banana fibers with lau hala.
Banana Plants
Unique varieties for sale — take some home — grow to eat and share something special.
Great Music All Day Long
Come on down and be amazed
There's plenty to explore at Banana Fest for everyone.
Banana 101
The Philippines uses bananas instead of tomatoes to make ketchup.
Be a Part of Banana Festival 2026
Eat a banana today. Trust me.