Summer in Hawaii means mango season is in full swing and there is nothing more refreshing than a juicy mango grown right here on our farm. Their sweet aroma fills the air of our gardens and our kitchen, where Crystal highlights them on our breakfast fruit plates. Enjoy them in a smoothie after a private yoga lesson or in Crystal’s Tropical Salsa, which is served as a complement to her famous Big Island Huevos Rancheros (pictured here) and with her Lunches To-Go. However you eat them, you’re sure to find them in abundance this summer at all the local farmer’s markets and here, at Holualoa Inn.
Summer on the Big Island of Hawaii also marks the return of the 56th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament August 8th through 15th. The Opening Ceremony is open to the public and offers fun, food, local craft vendors and live music at the Kailua Pier on Sunday, August 9th. At 5:00 p.m., teams from around the world parade onto the pier and are officially welcomed to the tournament. Don’t miss the Kona Daifukuji Taiko drummers who close the ceremony. The competition itself begins on Monday, August 10th and each afternoon at 4:30 p.m. the day’s tremendous catches are weighed and points added to the scoreboard. Try Crystal’s Tropical Salsa with a grilled filet of freshly caught marlin!
If you’re looking for liquid refreshment for the summer sun, try the 7th Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival on August 15th at the Royal Kona Resort. The festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Battle of the BBQ as local chefs compete for the title. Enjoy a taster plate (or five) and cast your vote before perusing the Mai Tai Marketplace filled with local craft vendors and produce such as – you guessed it – fresh mangos. Local music legend Henry Kapono and his band will play for you poolside before the Mai Tai Mix-Off begins at 4:30 p.m., where bartenders from around the world compete for the title of Best Mai Tai.
Here’s Crystal’s Tropical Salsa recipe for you to enjoy with breakfast, lunch or dinner. For cocktails, just use the mango!
- Crystal’s Tropical Salsa
1/2 cup red onions, diced
4 small sweet peppers, diced
2 small tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup mango, diced
1/4 cup papaya, diced
1/4 cup pineapple, diced
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 small lime
In a bowl, combine the onions, sweet peppers, tomatoes, mango, papaya, pineapple, garlic and cumin. Season with salt, white pepper, cilantro and lime juice. Toss and refrigerate. Serves 4.