Farmers markets Kauai/Maui

[w.bob]

I will be staying on Kauai & Maui in the fall and wanted to try and get an update on the farmer markets on both islands. I did find a few sites which give the locations and times of some markets. We will be staying in Poipu on Kauai & Kaanapali area on Maui. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of any markets in those areas? We were on the BI & Kauai 2 years ago and were not that impressed with the markets we came across. We did not have advance knowledge of where & when they were being held so and we just happened upon some so we may not have been to the best selections.

Is it possible to find fresh fruits & veg at somewhat the same prices in the supermarkets as you do at the farmers markets and stands or do you find it worth shopping at the farmers markets? Thanks

 

[JLB]

It's been awhile and I don't expect things to be the same, but there was a veggie stand on the road between Koloa and Poipu, near the Poipu end. I was checking the 14-day window yesterday and saw the Point at Poipu available!!!!

If the Farmers Markets are like they used to be, state sponsored, at designated times, they are fun. We did one of that nature in one of the larger little towns west of Koloa and Poipu, Kalaheo I believe.

We were on our way to Polihale mid afternoon and saw all the cars parked about a block off the highway. That's what it was. We found out they blow a whistle at 3:00 PM and the buying starts. You go around and do your dickering before and the merchants set their sales aside. At 3:00, the four of us split up and paid for and pick up our stuff before they sold them to someone else.

 

[aliikai2]

In Poipu, the market iirc is on Saturday at 1pm in the Koloa Park.

It lasts about 30 minutes and then everything is gone.

You need to get there about 10-20 minutes before they sound the horn, then as you find what you are looking for, pick it up and pay for it. Bring lots of 1's.

Our favorites are fresh tropical flowers for the suite, apple bananas, Maui white pineapple, corn ( sweetest anywhere), mangos, strawberry papayas, lettuce( Bibb), and if their oranges are in season, they are great.

Joyce has bought every fruit they have for sale, she liked some of the odder items, the list above are my favorites( except the flowers, those are hers,

The stores or the stands don't seem to have the same value, we find that the Markets are well worth the time, and they are quite an experience also.

fwiw,

Greg

Is it possible to find fresh fruits & veg at somewhat the same prices in the supermarkets as you do at the farmers markets and stands or do you find it worth shopping at the farmers markets? Thanks

 

[barndweller]

The farmer's markets have become quite the "in" thing on Kauai. There is an island wide push for going green including organic. We went twice on our visit last month. The first was in Hanalei on Sat. at 9am. The second was in Koloa on Tue at 2pm. Times & dates are published everywhere & at Lawaii Beach Resort we were given a printout of current schedules & locations at check-in.

There is a big deal about being there at "rope drop" and they are not kidding. The parking & crowds can be daunting! Prices are often actually higher than the supermarket. Bring your own bags & lots of $1 & $5 bills. We bought sweet potatoes, pineapple, mangos, green beans, avocados & peppers. All were ripe & ready to eat & organic (or at least claimed to be.) Even if you buy nothing, it's fun to go!

 

[barndweller]

Oh, I forgot about the great apple bananas. They are really great. Citrus is in season right now. There were lots of oranges, grapefruit & tangerines. The market up in Hanalei had a lot more fresh lettuce & tomatoes. We also bought flowers, a very good buy & they lasted over 2 weeks.

 

[Kauai Kid]

There is a farmer's market in Kihei--unfortunately I don't remember what days or times.

Can you save money? Well I refused to pay $7.99 a pound for tomatoes at Star Market. The next day at the farmers market they had Kola tomatoes $1.99 They were so big that one slice hung over the sides of a piece of bread for a bacon and tomato sandwich. About the size of a softball.

Be careful bringing flowers into the condo. I got a "good buy" and thousands of ants were hiding in the flowers.

Maui on Sunday

Sterling

 

[Hawaiibarb]

Go for the fun of it

I enjoy the farmer's markets on all the islands, but some are quite small, and I only occasionally get really good prices. The variety varies; some are quite small....on the other hand, that might be just where you find something special. Sometimes there are crafty things, too. We went to one in Waimea on the Big Island, and there were wonderful lavender items.....decent prices, too. I know there is one in Kilauea on Kauai, but it's a fairly small one; the one in Hanalei is larger. I enjoy wandering through, but I usually know what I would have to pay in the supermarket, and then make my decision.....quality is usually quite good. Pahio always includes the schedule with their welcome packet.

 

[SherryS]

We just were at the Kauai farmers' market at the ball field in Koloa, 12 noon....but get there on time or early! Tomatoes, mangos, pineapple, flowers, strawberries are much better priced than in grocery stores.

On Maui, the Maui swap meet in Kahalui, Saturday mornings, 7 a.m. to noon, has not only produce and flowers, but many other souveniers and clothing/baked goods. Admission 50 cents.

 

[barndweller]

We were on Kauai for over 3 weeks. I noticed that the posted times for farmer's markets varied depending on the source. Ask at your resort as the time or location may change. Some are county sponsored and others are just a local informal group. The quality was definitely better than the supermarkets.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Here's a good info link for Farmers Markets - All Islands

Official Website for the County of Kaua'i, Hawaii Sunshine Farmers Market schedules

Honolulu Farmers Markets sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau

Hilo Farmers Market

Hawaii Farmer's Market Cookbook

Interesting report on Big Island Farmers Markets (I didn't know there were so many banana varieties)


Richard

 

[easyrider]

The banana bread stand sells paka lolo. lol

 

[Kauai Kid]

Here's a good info link for Farmers Markets - All Islands

Official Website for the County of Kaua'i, Hawaii Sunshine Farmers Market schedules

Honolulu Farmers Markets sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau

Hilo Farmers Market

Hawaii Farmer's Market Cookbook

Interesting report on Big Island Farmers Markets (I didn't know there were so many banana varieties)


Richard

Thanks Richard for some great sites. Sure unfortunate on the mainland we can only get one type of banana. Love those apple bananas.

Maui 3 days away.

Sterling

 

[nspils]

There is the farmer's market in Lihue at The Grove (across from Costco) every Monday (I think it is Monday) ...

 

[MULTIZ321]

NSPILS,

You're right - the Kukui Grove Shopping Center Farmers Market is held on Monday's year round at 3pm.

The other Farmer's Market in Lihue is the Sunshine Markets on Friday's at 3pm
held in the Vidinha Stadium Parking Lot on Hoolako, off Queen Kapule Blvd.


I found another link that lists Hawaii Farmer's Markets
http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/Results3.asp


Richard