By Hadley Catalano

It is the fruit that inspires horticulturalists, tempts gastronomists and intrigues estheticians. The avocado, a cultivar in demand due to its uncharacteristically high fat content, serves a staple in the diets of many worldwide. Commonly used in vegetarian cuisine, as a substitute for meat, avocado fills salads and sandwiches across the United States, is used to make guacamole dip in Mexico and in parts of South America and South East Asia is blended in milkshakes, ice cream and other sugary dessert drink. And in Hawai`i, it can be used in just about anything.

In celebration of this most versatile and native American fruit, the Sixth Annual Hawai`i Avocado Festival will take place February 16-18 in Kona, with the main event happening Saturday, February 18 at the Keauhou Beach Resort from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The event has grown over the years as the popularity and usage of the honorary fruit has become more widespread. What began as a small gathering on founder Randyl Rupar’s Honaunau farm, the Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens, with an attendance of 300, has ballooned into a three-day fest housed at the Keauhou resort with upwards of 3,000 passing through.

“The first one was on our land and considered to be an anniversary and birthday party,” said Rupar, who explained that the avocado was selected because he use to work on an avocado ranch in California, was tending to 44 trees on his property and absolutely loved the fruit. “Three hundred people came up here to our 15 acre farm, it was a bit overwhelming, because we didn’t have any place to park the cars.”

Seeking advise from noted South Kona agriculturalist Ken Love and partnering with Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Rupar moved his yearly festival to the roadside outdoor venue for the next four years, but still the space could not accommodate the increasing crowds and traffic.

For the first time, the Avocado Festival will be safely nestled in the lush outside grass space of the Keauhou Beach Resort (and with plenty of free parking), as Rupar explained, in an effort to accommodate the requests and answer the complaints of the limited and dangerous nature of parking at the previous venue.

With the expansion of the festival, the Saturday line-up includes tastings, avocado recipe contests, a farmer’s market, over 80 artisan and food booths, a variety of healing arts and alternative energy demonstrations, and a full lineup of musical entertainment.

The three-day event will kick-off on Thursday, February 16 with Amp Up with Avocado! The evening benefit for Kona Pacific Charter School will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Kalanikai Bar and Grill at the Keauhou Beach Resort and feature a silent auction, avocado-inspired pupus, Kona Brewery beer, and music and dancing by Nahko of Medicine for the People. There is a nominal donation at the door.

On Friday, February 17, the nightly edible festivities continue with a Farm to Fork Hawai`i Dinner at the Kealakekua Bay Bed and Breakfast. The B&B’s Emily Peacock and Mistress of Ceremonies Jean Hull will host the five-course avocado-themed meal. The featured chef will be Devin Lowder of When Pigs Fly Charcuterie and dessert chef Hector Wong of My Yellow Kitchen in Honolulu will prepare an impressive seven-tiered chocolate and avocado cake. (Seating is limited please call 328-8150 for reservations.)

The celebration of the “alligator pear,” an abundant fruit, dropping off trees in backyards and along roadsides across the Big Island, will commence on Saturday, will a free, family-friendly day of all things avocado. Manned with a staff of volunteers and providing a venue for local vendors to sell their goods, Rupar has been able to provide a free event, including entertainment, workshops and keiki events.

University of Hawai`i staff members Dr. Ted Radovich, assistant specialist, Sustainable and Organic Farming Systems Laboratory; Dr. Mark Nickum, assistant professor, Sustainable Farming Systems, Tropical Fruit and Nut Crops; and Andrea Kawabata, assistant agent, coffee and orchards with UH Manoa’s CTAHR will led the botanical lecture sessions. Informational educational workshops will be heard on how to grow a graft trees (trees will also be for sale) and Radovich will lead a deliberating panel on, “Bringing Culture Back to Agriculture.”

Adjacent to the agricultural presentations there will be free samples, tasting of avocado sushi rolls by West Hawai`i Community College culinary students and chef demos by Wong on how to make the multi-layer Chocolate Oblivion Cake, using organic Hawaii- grown chocolate and avos – in place of butter.

The highly participated event, the Avocado Recipe Contest will be taking place throughout the day. Contestants can enter Best Guacamole, Best Entrée, or Best Dessert and will be judged by Chef Matt Dulin of Denver’s Elways Restaurant, as well as a People’s Choice Award.

On stage entertainment will include headlining artists Maka, Bolo, Sahra Indio, Nahko of Medicine for the People, Anela Strings, belly dancing, and Kahikina Nahenahe’s ukulele ensemble. In addition activities for the keiki will be coordinated by Kona Pacific Charter School, and Avocado Festival logo artist Antoinette Sharfin will be available to sign Avo Fest tee shirts.

For the foreseeable future Rupar is determined to keep providing a positive outlet for the Big Island community.

“It’s my kuleana to create a venue to showcase what this island has to offer. Keeping it here, keeping it free. With all the negative programming out there, this is positive stimuli and it makes me happy I’m human,” Rupar said.

For further information visit www.avocadofestival.org

Saturday, February 18

6th Annual Hawai`i Avocado Festival

Keauhou Beach Resort

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Free