It first became apparent about a month back when I drove through Lahaina. The mango trees along the Honopi’ilani Highway were draped with mangos. At the time, the mangos were bright green, but I knew it would not be long before the Mangos started to ripen. Mango season is one of the true treats of living on Maui. . While I always loved mangos, there is a significant difference between the imported store bought mangos and those that are grown locally. The flesh is less stringy, each bite a little more tasty and they are infinitely more juicy. The Mango tree was originally imported from Asia. They are now ubiquitous throughout much of Maui. The good news for Maui is that its geographic diversity makes for a prolonged season. Mangos in the warmest parts of the island are ripe now. In places like Lahaina, Kihei and Kahului , mangos have turned from green to shades of crimson, orange and gold. Paia mangos are a little further behind in the ripening process while Upcountry mangos likely won’t be ready for another month or two.

Pete Jalbert