Taro - Kalo
Poi Pounding
The Kilauea Lava Combo
Rain and mudslides threatened to bring this years East Maui Taro Festival to a screeching halt. Consistent heavy rain the day before the event caused mud, rocks and debris to fall and block multiple sections of the Hana Highway. The roadways were cleared with the help of the county and state road crews, traffic got moving just in time for the big day.
The festival brought farmers, visitors, crafters, and local residents from around the island together for the annual celebration of Taro, a native Hawaiian dietary staple. There was lot's to eat, see and hear throughout the entire day. Poi pounding demonstrations and information on all aspects of taro were featured and shared with people old and young. Taro farmers sold common products such as poi and kulolo, which is a slow cooked desert comprised of raw taro pieces, brown sugar and coconut milk.
Mauna Kea Snow Shaved Ice was one of many food vendors offering a gourmet and customizable twist on the already popular shave ice treat. Fine ice shaved thin set the foundation for a coat of sweet syrup. Azuki beans, tahitian vanilla ice cream, condensed cream, coconut candy and li hing mui powder were among the available toppings that made choosing a combination an even more difficult task. The Kilauea Lava combination offered a tahitian vanilla center, pina colada syrup with a splash of strawberry and red hot cinnamon candies on top. The classic rainbow was just as vibrant to the tastebuds as it was to the eyes and these flavor combinations soon turned to favorite combinations for all. Check out Mauna Kea Snow's website to view their impressive and deluxe shave ice menu.
Shave ice kept the temperature perfect and everyone was in high spirits with the beautiful music and hula that continued on throughout the day. Two Hana high school students serve as the lead singers for the band Simply Solid, which finished strong as the final entertainment act for the day. Overall it was an educational experience delivered in such a pleasant manner thanks to the beautiful host town of Hana, Maui.
www.tarofestival.org
www.maunakeasnow.com
