Waikiki is an extremely popular place to visit, and is getting busier everyday. There’s amazing restaurants all over the island city, but very few people know about the amazing farmers market in Waikiki. When you think vacation, you may not think about going to the market. The farmer’s market in Waikiki is actually an amazing place to visit with friends or family, whether you live in Oahu or not.
Although there are multiple markets, i’m going to focus on a few that I love. If you’re looking for some delicious ripe fruit, a healthy snack, beautiful flowers, and everything in between, the market is a perfect mid-morning stop for your day. You can try the freshest tropical treats in season, and support local while doing so!
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Where and When – Farmers Market in Waikiki
Kaka’ako is a lush and thriving market in the heart of Waikiki in Ward Village. It runs on Saturdays from 8am-12pm. You can read more about this beautiful market here.
Even though this is a guide to farmers markets in Waikiki, I am including one market that is slightly outside (13 mins) because it’s the biggest market in Honolulu.
The KCC farmers market is held in the Kapiolani Community College parking lot, every Saturday from 7:30 am to 11:00 am. There is also a smaller version of this market on Tuesdays, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The Hyatt Farmers’ Market is on Thursdays from 4:00- 8:00 pm in Waikiki. This market takes place on Kalakaua Avenue at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa on Kalakaua Avenue. You can have a snack on the beach and enjoy this market in the afternoon.
What to Buy at the Market
Remember that every market is different, and the farmers often times have different surprises every week. I highly recommend asking the locals about what fruit is fresh and in season, and trying that fruit. As I write this, it’s lychee season here in Hawai’i. It may sound silly but truly, if you haven’t tried a fruit that you see at the market, try it! Hawai’i has incredible fruit and some of it looks very nonchalant and bland from the outside. Click here or here to read about incredible tasting fruits to try at the farmers markets in Hawai’i. If you’d prefer to watch me eat them on video, click here for my fruit reviews on my Youtube channel.
Nuts, fresh herbs, local eggs, honey, greens, chocolate, cheese, and local homemade meals are usually available at the markets. Let me put it this way.. there is nothing i’ve ever taken home or bought from a market that I didn’t enjoy.
At the Kaka‘ako Farmers Market there is a kind Italian man who makes his own pasta, fresh from the night before. I love being in Italy and eating pasta there, and this took me right back to Roma! His pasta is so fresh and tastes amazing, and you simply boil it for just a few minutes. Bonus points if you order in Italian to him. You can say, “posso avere una scatola di pasta per favore”. You will not be disappointed. I also recommend buying a cone of fresh gardenias here. They are incredible and will smell up your room or hotel in the best way. I also love getting the fresh coconuts, they taste amazing and are so rejuvenating and good for your body.
There is so much to try at the KCC market, I don’t even know where to begin. You can buy local fresh meat raised on the islands, and bring it home to cook a meal. If you’re just visiting and want some delicious breakfast, you can have some of the brilliant crepes from Kai’s, or have a burger for lunch from the Honolulu Burger company. At the KCC market you can get honey, fresh tea, delicious vegetables, and pretty much everything you can think of. Be open minded and try some new veggies! Ask the farmers how to prepare them, they love to share what they’ve grown and how to use it.
At the Hyatt market you can try some fresh baked bagels and bread for breakfast! I recommend the fresh hot malasada donuts, the sugarcane juice, and a fresh coconut. They also sell cut up fruit and veggies, which are so yummy and helpful for tourists who don’t have a kitchen in their hotel or air bnb. They also sell local goodies like mac nuts and honey that you can bring home to your family.
Benefits of the Market
Simply put, it’s easy to smile when you go to the markets. You’ll meet happy, kind farmers, and lovers of all things tasty and beautiful. It’s a great place to get out, get fresh air, meet great people and be a part of the community.
When you buy your food at the market, it holds a lot more nutrients. Most farmer’s pick their food the morning of the market or the night before. This means you’re getting a lot more out of the food then you would with store bought, which loses freshness when it’s shipped. You also directly support a local family when you shop small business and support the markets.
It is often times also cheaper, and a much better experience then shopping indoors at a grocery store. The markets are an incredibly family friendly place to go, with pets and children of all ages.
It can be hot in the summertime, so bring some reef-safe sunscreen and a sun hat if you need to. There is often times a nice breeze from the trade-winds to keep you comfortable.
I couldn’t love going to the farmer’s market more, and you never know what you’re going to find. As always, I hope this was helpful! Let me know what market you want to stop by, or what you love to get from these delicious local community gatherings.
All my love,