Get Your Fix for Everything Mango at Mangoes at the Moana

Mango lovers and growers celebrate the 7th annual Mangoes at the Moana on July 18.

July 16, 2015

Robbie Dingeman,

Photos: Courtesy of MOANA SURFRIDER

From mango ceviche and sorbet to a mojito, mango season offers a chance to take one of Hawai‘i’s favorite fruits to new places. And this week’s mango mecca promises to be at the Moana Surfrider.

Mango Pancakes served at The Veranda restaurant in Moana Surfrider.

The seventh annual Mangoes at the Moana takes place July 18 in the Moana Surfrider hotel’s Banyan Courtyard. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event features seminars, workshops, demonstrations, a farmers market, the Best Mango Contest and the Mango Throw Down—a popular showdown between award-winning Island chefs.

Moana executive chef Ryan Loo, 38, says he looks forward to the mango fest for the camaraderie of the chefs’ competition and because it shows off the many ways people can prepare mangoes. And it’s a sweet spot for both local residents and visitors who come from far away.

“It really expands the horizon of what you can do,” Loo says. Here in Hawai‘i, we tend to fall back on such traditional preparations as auntie’s pickled mango or fundraiser chutney, while not exploring all the possibilities, he adds.

Originally from Nu‘uanu, Loo says he appreciate mangoes and this event more after living in Seattle for several years before returning home a little more than a year ago. “It’s pretty much a whole day of mangoes.”

The event include a chance for backyard mangoes to shine in a contest for “Best Mango of the Year.” A panel of judges will look for the best flavor, skin, flesh, aroma and texture. There’s a farmers market all day for a chance the talk to some of the best growers, as well as mango cooking demonstrations of scones and mango curd.

From noon to 4 p.m. the throwdown competition features eight local celebrity chefs preparing creative dishes featuring mango as the main ingredient. And there’s a cocktail mixdown next door.

There are tips on “How to Make My Mango Tree Productive.” And a chance to learn about different varieties of mango, best practices in growing a healthy fruit-bearing mango tree, pruning techniques, production, how to maintain a tree and disease prevention.

Loo says those who can’t make it to Mangoes at the Moana can still check out a variety of mango offerings at the Moana Surfrider as the restaurants include mango chicken sausage, mango bread, mango kaffir lime panna cotta, mango mousse cake and mango curd during the Moana’s Afternoon Tea.

For information about Mangoes at the Moana festivities, call the Moana Surfrider at 922-3111 and ask for the concierge desk. Self-parking is available at the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani and is complimentary for four hours with validation. Validation given at the Mangoes at the Moana event with ticket purchase.

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