Food
Hawaii Farmers Markets: Best Markets by Island
Hawaii farmers markets are among the best in the country for tropical fruit, local food, and direct-from-farm produce. This guide covers the top markets on each island.
Hawaii farmers markets offer some of the best produce in the country: tropical fruit that was on the tree days or hours before you buy it, freshly roasted Kona coffee, local honey, farm-direct macadamia nuts, and prepared foods from every culinary tradition in the islands. They are also one of the best ways to support local farmers and small food producers directly. Here are the best markets on each island.
KCC Farmers Market (Oahu)
The KCC Farmers Market at Kapiʻolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Road in Honolulu, operates Saturday mornings from 7:30 am to 11:00 am. It is the most popular farmers market in the state, drawing both locals and visitors with a mix of certified farms, prepared food vendors, and local makers. The prepared food section is excellent: poke, pastries, tamales, Indonesian food, and much more. Produce vendors sell island-grown vegetables, fresh herbs, honey, and seasonal tropical fruit. Arrive early; parking fills quickly and the best vendors sell out before 10 am.
There is also a KCC market on Tuesday afternoons (2:00-6:00 pm) that is less crowded and more locally oriented. The Saturday market is the main event for visitors.
Hilo Farmers Market (Big Island)
The Hilo Farmers Market on Mamo Street in downtown Hilo operates Wednesday and Saturday from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. Wednesday is smaller; Saturday is the full market with 200+ vendors. It is one of the best farmers markets in the country for tropical fruit: rambutan, lychee, longan, starfruit, dragon fruit, apple bananas, and whatever is in season are sold by the bag at very reasonable prices. Local orchid growers sell cut stems and plants. The surrounding area has excellent local restaurants for breakfast and lunch after the market.
Maui farmers markets
Maui has several good markets. The Upcountry Farmers Market in Kula operates Saturday mornings from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and features produce from the cooler upcountry elevations: strawberries, lavender, heirloom tomatoes, and potatoes alongside tropical items. The Central Maui Marketplace in Kahului (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday) is the most accessible from the main visitor areas. The Napili Farmers Market on the west coast (Tuesday evenings) is convenient for visitors based in Kā'anapali.
Kauai farmers markets
The Kauaʻi Community Market at Vidinha Stadium in Līhuʻe operates Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. It is the largest on the island with a strong prepared food section and local produce. The Hanalei Farmers Market (Saturday mornings, 9:30 am) serves the north shore with local organic produce and artisan products. The Kōloa market on Wednesday mornings is convenient for visitors based in Pōʻipū.
What to look for
The best farmers market buys in Hawaii include: Kona or Ka'u coffee (ask for single-farm roasts, more distinctive than blends); tropical fruit in season (rambutan, lychee, and longan are only available in Hawaii for short windows and are worth seeking); fresh-cut tropical flowers (anthuriums, protea, heliconia) that travel well as gifts; local honey; and freshly made food for immediate eating. See our tropical fruit guide for what to look for by season. For Kona coffee, buying directly at a farmers market from a farm you can talk to is one of the best ways to ensure you are getting genuine single-origin coffee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.