Outdoor and Farmers Markets in Hawaii

Outdoor and farmer’s markets in Hawaii are popular with both tourists and local residents. An abundance of organic produce, locally grown fruits and veggies, and even handmade crafts and products are found at nearly any of the countless outdoor and farmer’s markets found in Hawaii.

Every Hawaiian island has outdoor and farmer’s markets of various sizes, but Hawaii and Kauai are known for their large and unique outdoor and farmer’s markets.

Outdoor and Farmer’s Markets in Hawaii: Hilo Farmer’s Markets

Outdoor and farmer’s markers can be found throughout The Big Island, but Hilo’s farmer’s markets are legendary.

Hilo’s markets attract large crowds of people and feature a wide variety of produce, flowers, and crafts. Shoppers searching for organic produce are rewarded with a large selection of organic lettuce, spinach, strawberries, pineapple, coconut, and papaya. Organic produce sells quickly, so only early bird shoppers get a good selection.

Some of the popular fruits and vegetables found at Hilo’s outdoor and farmer’s markets are:

Baby Ginger

Bitter Melon

Bok Choy

Cherimoya

Jaboticaba

Jack Fruit

Lychee

Mango

Papaya

Pineapple

Rambutan

Soursop

Spinach

Strawberries

Sweet Corn

Warabi

White Pineapple

Popular Hawaiian flowers such as orchids, protea, bonsai and other tropical plants can be found at the Hilo markets as well. Fresh seafood, pastries, baked goods, and prepared foods are local favorites. Some sellers are open to haggling a lower price, while others stick firmly to an original asking price, so be sure to ask before opening your wallet.

Outdoor and Farmer’s Markets in Hawaii: Kauai Markets

Outdoor and farmer’s markets in Kauai have a uniquely competitive nature. Most markets begin sales at a preset time. A verbal announcement or the honking of a car horn signals the opening of the market. Once open, shoppers race to snatch up the best selections and haggle a good price.

Kauai outdoor and farmer’s markets are found in various cities throughout the island, and an outdoor market is available somewhere on Kauai every day of the week except Sunday. Organic produce is a little scarcer on Kauai than on the Big Island, but careful shoppers can find a good selection of organic produce if they arrive early.

Kilauea, Kapaa, Lihue, and Koloa all host public farmer’s markets. Privately owned outdoor markets can be found in Hanalei, Poipu, Lihue, Koloa, and Kilauea. Many of these outdoor markets are interspersed with a wide variety of crafts and even second hand items of interest.

Visiting outdoor and farmer’s markets in Hawaii is a great way to meet a few locals and get a taste of the real Hawaii. Be sure to get there early, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a big bag to haul all of your outdoor and farmer’s market purchases back home. Happy Shopping!

This entry was posted on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am by Rocco and is filed under Featured, Hawaii Travel Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.