Video by David Corrigan, voice of Stephanie Salazar

KEAUHOU, Hawaii – The eighth annual Hawaii Avocado Festival was held Saturday at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. This year the Zero-Waste event was held on the scenic Bayfront Lawn.

The free fun offered two stages of entertainment, culinary and agricultural activities, craft booths, and a University of Hawaii nutrition display. Guest speakers touted the benefits of organic farming methods.

The event is the brainchild of Randyl Rupar, who we interviewed during the festival in 2009.

The avocado has come a long way since that time. The ban on shipping untreated, Hawaii-grown Sharwil avocados to the mainland ended in October of last year. Growers of the green fruit are now able to send their harvest off to 32 states – mostly northern – without the required fumigation that is said to ruin the quality of the product.

Fruit expert Ken Love said at the time that its a step in the right direction. Love, who was present for Saturday’s festival, was recently recognized by The American Culinary Federation Western Region at the ACF conference in Oakland, California.

Love received the Cutting Edge Award, which taps members who provide exemplary leadership and service to the culinary profession. The Captain Cook resident is a long-time, outspoken advocate for the use of locally grown food.

Kona resident Jean Hull was also given the President’s Medallion, which is awarded to members who exemplify culinary excellence and leadership and have contributed their expertise to the advancement of the culinary profession.