Grown with Aloha: Farmers' Markets

Grown with Aloha: Farmers' Markets

The Big Island is home to more farmers' markets than most cities, each offering a different range of goods, but all providing at the very least a good place to pick up fresh produce while you're in town (especially helpful if you're staying in a condo). Not surprisingly, locally grown mango, papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, coconut, and guava are available in abundance at great prices, but you can also find delicious avocados, organic peppers, fantastic goat cheese, and, of course, coffee.

Hawaii's farmers are experimenting with hundreds of varieties of avocados and citrus, and with exotic fruits such as poha berries, bilimbi, and mamey sapoy. If you come across unfamiliar fruits, try them -- particularly the sweet, fluffy pulp inside the yard-long ice cream bean. Because of government restrictions, these fruits generally can't leave the island, so this is your chance to sample them.

The markets located in Kailua-Kona and Hilo are listed under the corresponding shopping sections; the following markets are scattered about the Big Island. You might happily stumble upon them as you explore the coasts.

On the Kona Side

Hawaiian Homesteaders Assn. Farmers' Market. Check out the crafts sold here in the Kuhio Hale Building before you head to Waimea's more expensive stores. Produce, flowers, plants, and baked goods are also available. Open 7 AM to noon every Saturday.

Kau Farmers' Market. On a trip to the South Point, stock up on local produce and handmade baked goods at this market held at the Naalehu Theater every Saturday, 8 AM to noon.

Under the Banyans Farmers' Market. Fresh produce, seasonal fruit, plants, and craft items are sold at this market way up north in the village of Hawi. It's open Saturdays from 7:30 AM until 1 PM.

On the Hilo Side

Downtown Honoka Farmers' Market. This good old-fashioned farmers' market in the midst of a charming old plantation town is a good stop during a drive up the Hamakua Coast. It begins at 8 AM on Saturdays.

The following markets are all south of Hilo.

Keaau Village Farmers' Market. Fresh local farm produce featuring super sweet corn and flowers daily from 7 AM to 5 PM; on Fridays, vendors also sell handmade Hawaiian arts and crafts.

Makuu Farmers' Market. There's food and produce here, but what differentiates it from the rest are the Hawaiian crafts, plants, jewelry, shells, ethnic and recycled clothing, records/CDs, and books. It's along the Keaau/Pahoa Highway, Sundays 8 AM to noon.

Pahoa Village Farmers' Market. A great market, held in a large, covered outdoor space with local produce, prepared foods, coffee, clothing, and live music 9 AM to 3 PM every Sunday.

Volcano Village Farmers Market. A favorite on the east side of the island. Local produce, flowers, prepared foods, baked goods, and an occasional clothing swap, in the Cooper Center, every Sunday 8:30-11 AM.