Banana Belt (Hilo, Waipio, Mountain View: sales, real estate, subdivision)

[838454]

The research continues, I saw something about the banana belt and was wondering what area that is. I couldn't find much info about it. It made reference to it being dryer than Hilo and even had the sun shining when it was raining in Hilo. I guess its north of Hilo? Can anyone give me more info on the towns of the "banana belt" and is that statement true. Maybe Hotzcatz is perusing the forum and has an idea I believe she's up on the north-northeast side of the island. Mahalo

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Half of the island is sunnier and drier than Hilo. I assume from your post, however, that you are interested in staying on the Hilo side? How close to Hilo do you want to be?

[terracore]

The island is full of microclimates. Virtually every subdivision has it's own "banana belt".

[Due]

Originally Posted by terracore

The island is full of microclimates. Virtually every subdivision has it's own "banana belt".

This is true:
we have apple bananas (4 bunches on now) frequently in Kohala. Our "banana belt" is assisted with drip irrigation...
also have oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, coconut, mango, okra.

[hawaiian by heart]

Originally Posted by Due

This is true:
we have apple bananas (4 bunches on now) frequently in Kohala. Our "banana belt" is assisted with drip irrigation...
also have oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, coconut, mango, okra.

Dang due that has got to be a blessing, but hard work too?

[Due]

Originally Posted by hawaiian by heart

Dang due that has got to be a blessing, but hard work too?

Not hard: working with our landscape, flower, fruit and vegetable gardens is very satisfying plus great stress reliever, and exercise.

[838454]

I had not heard of it before and thought I would put it out there to see from someone in the know. I thought it might have been an author taking liberty with the expression.

[hotzcatz]

The "banana belt" is the area that bananas like to grow in. Which is usually an area people find comfortable, too. Bananas like warm, moist areas. Usually up to about 2,000 foot elevation to maybe 2,500 foot elevation and then it gets too cool for bananas to be happy. The Realtors use the term "banana belt" usually to signify a warmer and sunnier than the surrounding non-banana belt areas. But bananas will grow in lots of places outside of their designated "banana belt".

There's an area below Volcano - around Mountain View/Kurtistown/Keaau which could be a banana belt. There's a swath through Paradise Park with that designation, although why one part of that subdivision would be better than the other for growing bananas, I don't quite know. Most of lower Puna - Pahoa/Ainaloa/Nanawale/Lelani Estates/Kapoho, etc. are great for bananas and papayas. They will also grow in not too much soil, which works well in the Puna district which is known for more rocks than soil in some places. And in some places the rocks are very fresh, too.

Laupahoehoe has a "banana belt" area according to some Realtors as well as Paauhau and parts of Honokaa. Once you get above the highway in Honokaa and you're in the Ahualoa area, there's less bananas. Mostly because it's a higher elevation and cooler weather. But, you can still grow bananas if you really want, they just won't do as well. Loads of bananas in Waipio, but Realtors don't call that a "banana belt". Maybe because there's more taro, do you think?

Well, they're Realtors and not gardeners, I guess. But "banana belt" isn't a designated geographic area, it's sort of a real estate sales person's term. Kinda in there with "rustic", "cozy", "has loads of potential", etc.

[838454]

Hotcatz aloha and I appreciate your very informative input, much mahalo

[Mark.ca]

Some of the areas you mentioned are well below 2000ft. From my personal experience, on BI areas above 2000ft are usually cooler and darker but the temps are indeed comfortable for humans since they tend to stay in mid 70's. I noticed bananas actually have a pretty wide range.