Experience the best farmers markets on Hawaii Island now (updated)
I love going to our local farmers markets in Hawaii, it’s so much nicer to enjoy the day outside and shop for your produce from local purveyors that grow direction from the land or distribute from local sources. Plus your guaranteed to eat cheap in Hawaii when you visit the local farmers markets in the area. There are many daily markets that happen around the island but my favorite is the Sunday market is just down the block from where I live in Orchidland, it’s the Maku’u farmers market along highway 130. Outside of Maku’u the farmers market in Hilo is open 7 days again and usually a big draw on the popular days each Wednesday and Saturday in Hilo.
Exploring the farmers market at Makuu market
Fresh coconuts and fruits
 Maku’u farmers market in Big Island
Part of the fun in exploring the farmers markets here are trying all the samples of products made with local Hawaiian tropical fruits like pineapples, avocados, mangoes, lychees, Lilikoi fruit or other fresh fruit or  or produce sourced locally. Here’s one of my favorites – the Puna goat cheese samples that are made by this vendor up in Kurtistown….ah yes their cheese are creamy smooth and they offer interesting flavor mixes, would you like to try a mixed peppers with goat cheese … I know you would!
Locally made goat cheese
Locally made products
One of the best things to do on the Big Island is shop the farmers markets for locally made food, crafts and other products for you to try and bring home as souvenirs. IÂ love getting local produced goods like local honey direct from the source – here the vendor just uses recycled glass ware to bottle up his home-made honey. Isn’t it nice to support a local business like this and enjoy the delicious home-made goodness of locally made honey.
Locally made honey
Going to the local farmers market at Maku’u is one of the best ways to support local growers and get some exotic fruits that are just starting to come into season, now we are getting so many different types of mangoes in all shapes and taste. If your into Hawaiian snacks or delicious desserts made in Hawaii you’ll find this in the various foodie booths at the market. The next photo shows three large jackfruit that easily weigh over ten pounds each, have you ever tried a sweet and juicy jack fruit when its fresh?
A colorful produce stand
Giant Jackfruit for sale at Maku’u market
Extra large jackfruits
You can almost smell these huli-huli local style chicken grilling from all over the market. I never go home without bringing one of these chickens home for a meal and they are huge – one can easily last me 3.4 meals alone.
Huli Huli chicken on the grill
It’s always fun stopping by the vendors selling tropical flowers and plants, I love chit-chatting with all the vendors I know and peppering them with how-to and maintenance questions along with finding out what their newest offerings are on display. One of my favorites is the vendor who sells exotic tropical rhododendrons or vireyas, don’t they all look amazing you just want to bring home one of each variety of flower.
Colorful tropical rhododendrons
Ah yes, one of the best parts of going is to pick up lunch from the many international food booths….there’s too many to choose from here from traditional Hawaiian food to more popular Hawaii dishes that everyone loves . It’s also nice to just pick up a seat in a shared table and enjoy some live music and performance happening all day in the picnic areas.
Mexican and tamale stand
Who doesn’t like to try some crepes, maybe with some tropical fruits and sauce?
Crepes with Hawaiian flare
Great local food at the market
Did you want the fresh chicken with your tamales sir?
Next, who wanted the chicken order?
Even though I don’t really need any souvenirs and crafts, I still love to walk down the aisles of the vendors that make quality products to sell. It’s fun to see how creative people are with making finished products and crafts that you know are made locally and with locally sourced materials. If I have some free time I just might drop in for a quick massage, lomi-lomi anyone?
Massage per minute
Or maybe I’ll just settle for something sweet like some cotton candy…..
Cotton candy at the market
I couldn’t stop smiling at this vendor, who wouldn’t want to try some of her hot dog?
Hot dog queen
Well that was a nice morning visiting the local farmers market here in Hawaii, I think I got all the produce and goodies for the week. Thanks for joining me on this excursion, hope you had a good time exploring our local farmers market with me today.
Birds eye view of Maku’u market
Other farmers markets on the Big Island
There are many other popular weekly markets that you can also visit around the island including the well known Hilo farmers market, Waimea farmers market, Volcano farmers market and the Keaauhou farmers market in Kona. For an update list of markets and where to go, check out this site here for more details on visiting the Big Island Farmers markets.
Fruits in season and what to try – check out my tropical fruit guide here for more details on what to look out for in season around the markets on the Big Island.
Do you love visiting farmers markets in Hawaii?
Any favorite farmers markets you love and the types of foods to try there? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Does anybody know where I can buy Lanzones in Hawaii?
I’m not sure when lanzones are in season, this is definitely not a big production fruit on the islands
Toto, I think we landed in Hawaii.
Totally a Hawaii farmers market. It’s amazing how much of a view of the culture you can get by just going to the local farmers market!
Oh yummie! I love Farmer’s Markets and you’ve captured the essence of both the food and the island in this post, Noel. Makes me hungry!!
I guess it should be no surprise that this is what a farmers market in paradise looks like. I don’t think I’ve ever had a jackfruit. Now, crepes are a different story and these crepes look spectacular!
I’ve never heard of Dinosaur Kale but that’s the best part about going to Farmers’ Markets, discovering new foods.
We recycle bottles here as well with honey, pepper sauces, jams, jellies, etc.
I could get a few minutes’ massage right now.
Thanks for linking up this week, Noel!
I love the vibrant colors as always, Noel!! And my mouth was salivating at those crepes! 🙂
Very interesting I really enjoyed all the photos made me feel like I was there. Thanks!
I love the “dinosaur kale”! I always visit farmers’ markets when I travel. Besides the obvious deliciousness and economy of this, it’s a fun way to get in touch with the pulse of the local community.
Looks like a fun day–we love going to farmers markets! We recently tried jackfruit and it was pretty good! It’s always fun to try new fruits and eat local 🙂
My mouth is watering! I am totally with you on the love of visiting local markets when I travel. I love watching the people as much as exploring the stalls of exotic foods and jams. Always worth a stop in my books! Have stopped at many and will continue! Love your photos…can almost smell the chickens roasting on the spit!
I love farmer’s markets! This looks like a great one to visit.
Best, Irene
I love all of the colors at farmers markets. Looks like a really wonderful place. And your pictures are fantastic.
Thanks for making me hungry! 🙂 It looks like a great market! I want to try to mexican food!
I’m with Ruth, those crepes look delicious! I’m going to have check out the farmers markets the next time I’m in Hawaii.
Delicious! I’ve yet to try jackfruit because I’m wary that it looks too much like durian, which I hate, and in China I can’t be sure I’m getting the right one!
Love farmers markets too – the colours here are brilliant!
You are making me hungry. I have never seen one of the fruits you showed, is it the jack fruit? Very unusual looking. My mouth is watering for crepes, now.
Yes the Jackfruit is the large nubby fruit, its delicious!
WOW! Photographer extraordinaire! Great photos – powerful images! Well done. Loved the post but the pictures really stuck out!! 🙂
Bravo! You’ve captured the essence of these wonderful marketplaces on the Big Island. Your photography is stunning. Aloha, Stephanie