The Best Farmers Markets on Oʻahu: A Complete Guide
Oʻahu has more than a dozen farmers markets across the island. Some are huge, such as the award-winning Kakaʻako Farmers Market or the KCC Farmers Market, which welcomes tour buses of visitors every Saturday morning. Some are tiny, with just a table or two, such as the weekly market at Kaiser Hospital. This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every single market on island, but instead the ones I think would be the most fun and interesting for visitors. After revealing my top picks, I have organized each market by day, so you can find one that fits your itinerary.
At a Glance
- How many markets
- 20+
- Flagship markets
- KCC Farmers Market — Saturdays 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Kapiʻolani Community College and Kakaʻako Farmers Market — Saturdays 8 to noon on Ala Moana Blvd.
- Best local favorite
- Kakaʻako Farmers Market
- Best windward market
- Kailua Farmers Market — Sundays 8 a.m. to noon
- Best weekday market
- Blaisdell Farmers Market — Wednesdays 4 to 7 p.m.
- Best daily market
- Hōʻiliʻili Market by Farm Link
- Cash
- Most vendors take cards but some are cash-only. Come prepared.
- Come early
- Best produce goes fast. Arrive within the first hour for full selection.
- Parking
- Free or cheap at most markets. Take TheBus or Rideshare to KCC and Kakaʻako Farmers Market where parking is difficult.
Which Oʻahu farmers market should I go to?
If it's Saturday morning: Kakaʻako Farmers Market is my top pick for not only Saturday but the whole week. If you want to know what is produced on Oʻahu, you come here.
If it's Sunday morning: KailuaTown Farmers Market. This is a sister market to the Kakaʻako Farmers Market. It has the best selection of local produce and goods on the windward side. It's right at the end of the Pali Highway, just as you are entering Kailua.
If it's Wednesday evening: Blaisdell Farmers Market. I used to live across the street from this market and came every week (in addition to the Kakaʻako Farmers Market). It's the best weekday and evening option, conveniently located in the middle of town.
If you're stuck in Waikīkī without a car: Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa hosts an evening farmers market twice a week on the first floor.
Oʻahu Farmers Markets by Day
Saturday markets
KCC Farmers Market — 7:30 to 11 a.m. One of the largest on island and most popular with tourists. Run by Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. Kapiʻolani Community College (at the base of Lēʻahi, or Diamond Head), Parking Lot B, 4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu.
Kakaʻako Farmers Market — 8 a.m. to noon. My top pick on Oʻahu. Run by FarmLovers. 919 and 1011 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu.
Waialua Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Small, vendor-owned market behind the Waialua Sugar Mill. Best if you're already going to the North Shore. 67-106 Kealohanui St., Waialua.
Pearlridge Farmers Market — 8 a.m. to noon. Wide selection of prepared foods, some produce. Run by FarmLovers. Located on the top floor parking lot of Pearlridge Shopping Center, Wai Makai, 98-180 Kamehameha Highway, ʻAiea.
Sunday markets
KailuaTown Farmers Market — 8 a.m. to noon. Windward Oʻahu's best. Run by FarmLovers. Located on Pali Highway next to Adventist Health Castle, 640 Ulukahiki St., Kailua.
Mililani Farmers Market — 8 to 11 a.m. Central Oʻahu, popular with locals, fewer tourists. Free parking. Mililani High School, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani.
Mānoa Farmers Market — Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Neighborhood market near shops and restaurants with a children's playground. Mānoa Marketplace, 2851 E. Mānoa Road, Honolulu.
Aloha Market Waikīkī — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. One block from Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, across from the zoo, 324 Kapahulu Ave., Waikīkī. [Note: the FAQ below lists this market as Saturday, not Sunday. Please confirm the day.]
Windward Mall Farmers Market — Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday, 2 to 6 p.m. Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe.
Lōkahi Kailua Market — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Artisan market with crafts, apparel and prepared foods. 340 Uluniu St., Kailua.
Monday markets
Waikīkī Farmers Market — Monday and Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m. First floor of Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 2424 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu.
Tuesday markets
Mānoa Farmers Market — Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Neighborhood market near shops and restaurants with a children's playground. Mānoa Marketplace, 2851 E. Mānoa Road, Honolulu.
Wednesday markets
Blaisdell Farmers Market — 4 to 7 p.m. The best weekday option. Run by Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. Neal S. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu.
Windward Mall Farmers Market — Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday, 2 to 6 p.m. Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe.
Waikīkī Farmers Market — Monday and Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m. First floor of Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 2424 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu.
Thursday markets
Mānoa Farmers Market — Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Neighborhood market near shops and restaurants with a children's playground. Mānoa Marketplace, 2851 E. Mānoa Road, Honolulu.
Kailua Farmers Market — 4 to 7 p.m. Live music, prepared food, produce, free parking. Run by Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. Kailua Town Center, 609 Kailua Road, Kailua.
Daily markets
Looking for local produce and can't get to a farmers market? These markets are open seven days a week and offer a wide selection.
Hōʻiliʻili Market by Farm Link — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Small market carrying local meat, fish, eggs, produce, grocery items, alcohol, prepared foods and baked goods. 2065 S. Beretania St., Honolulu.
Kekaulike Market — 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wet market in Chinatown. 1039 Kekaulike St., Honolulu.
Markets Worth Going Out of Your Way For
KCC Farmers Market (Kapiʻolani Community College) Saturdays, 7:30 to 11 a.m. 4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu
Kapiʻolani Community College hosts the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau's flagship market in the college's parking lot at the base of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head). Each week locals and tour buses of visitors arrive to shop among dozens of vendors (the number fluctuates from 60 to 80). Most visitors come for the prepared foods, such as poke, açaí bowls, pho, smoked meat, mochi, kettle corn, burgers, lobster rolls and local coffee. My top pick is The Pig and The Lady for a banh mi sandwich.
Locals usually arrive right at 7:30 a.m. to get first dibs on produce. By 10 a.m., the prepared-food lines can run 15 minutes or longer. Parking is free, or you can take TheBus Route 2 from Waikīkī. A rideshare from Waikīkī takes about 10 minutes and will cost around $10 each way.
Combine your visit with a Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) hike before the market. Start at 6 a.m. and be back by 8 a.m. for breakfast at the market.
Kakaʻako Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. 919 and 1011 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
My personal favorite. Run by FarmLovers, this is the largest on island and has one of the biggest selections of local produce, meat, coffee, chocolate and other artisan products. There is also an extensive selection of prepared foods, apparel and crafts. It's located in the middle of town right on the water, making it a beautiful and convenient place to shop, eat and hang out. Free parking. I recommend taking TheBus Route 20 or a rideshare.
KailuaTown Farmers Market Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon. 640 Ulukahiki St., Kailua
The windward side's flagship, run by FarmLovers. Roughly 40 to 60 vendors — smaller than Kakaʻako but the same quality guarantee.
Blaisdell Farmers Market Wednesdays, 4 to 7 p.m. Neal S. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu
The best weekday farmers market on Oʻahu. Come here if you are not a morning person. Mostly prepared foods and often live music. Lots of grass to spread out and picnic on. Bring beach towels or a blanket. Free parking.
What should I buy at Oʻahu farmers markets?
Local bananas — Varieties include Apple, Namwah and Ice Cream. They are smaller than grocery store bananas, denser, tangier and much more flavorful. They are the everyday bananas of Hawaiʻi.
Mangoes — Hawaiʻi has dozens of varieties. This is a favorite local summertime treat. Ask the farmer to help you choose one that is ripe.
Papaya — One of the most abundant and least expensive tropical fruits in Hawaiʻi.
Lilikoʻi (passion fruit) — Usually in season from summer through fall. Cut them in half and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Amazing over yogurt, ice cream and cheese.
Dragon fruit (pitaya) — Comes in pink, red or white flesh. Usually in season during the summer months.
Rambutan and lychee — Pick up during the summer season. Purchase by the bag for snacking. Sweet and delicious.
Local coffee — Hawaiʻi is the only U.S. state that grows and produces bean-to-cup coffee. Many vendors sell direct, but a handful of vendors, such as Grok at the Kakaʻako Farmers Market, have a variety on hand.
Local honey — Vendors sell a variety of honey, including macadamia blossom, ʻōhiʻa lehua and kiawe. These are distinctive honeys you won't find on the U.S. mainland.
Prepared foods — Fresh-cut tropical fruit, poke bowls, açaí bowls, malasadas, burgers, noodles, mochi, chocolate, coffee, you name it — this is why most visitors go.
Flowers — Tropical bouquets and potted plants.
Macadamia nuts — Big Island growers, more affordable than at airport gift shops and grocery stores.
How to shop a farmers market on Oʻahu
Come early. The best produce goes in the first hour.
Bring cash. Most vendors take cards now, but some are cash-only.
Bring reusable bags. Most vendors no longer provide single-use plastic bags, as they are banned throughout Hawaiʻi.
Ask questions. Vendors and farmers love to talk. Ask what's in season, what is ripe right now, how to eat something you've never seen, etc.
Bring water in a reusable water bottle. It can be difficult to find.
Skip the tourist markets if you really want to know what is grown and produced on Oʻahu. The best markets for this are Kakaʻako, KailuaTown and Hōʻiliʻili Market by Farm Link.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best farmers market on Oʻahu?
Kakaʻako on Saturdays and KailuaTown on Sundays, if you're on the windward side.
What's the largest farmers market on Oʻahu?
KCC (60 to 80 vendors) and Kakaʻako (more than 140 vendors).
What day is KCC Farmers Market?
Saturday, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Get there early to beat the lines.
Is there a farmers market in Waikīkī?
Yes. Waikīkī Farmers Market is every Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. on the first floor of Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa at 2424 Kalākaua Ave. Aloha Market Waikīkī is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located one block from Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, across from the zoo, at 324 Kapahulu Ave.
What farmers markets are open on Sunday?
KailuaTown Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon and Lōkahi Kailua Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Kailua; Mililani Farmers Market from 8 to 11 a.m. in Central Oʻahu; Mānoa Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Honolulu; Aloha Market Waikīkī from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Windward Mall Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kāneʻohe.
Are the markets free?
Yes. There is no admission fee; you pay only for what you buy.
Are farmers markets cash-only?
Most vendors take cards now, but bring $20 to $40 in cash for cash-only vendors.
Are dogs allowed?
Most farmers markets allow service animals only.
What produce is in season now?
Tomatoes, papaya and bananas year-round. Lilikoʻi, rambutan, lychee, dragon fruit and mangoes in summer. Citrus (oranges, Meyer lemons) in winter.
Can you buy Hawaiian coffee at farmers markets?
Yes, there is usually a vendor selling Hawaiʻi-grown or Hawaiʻi-roasted coffee.
Editor · Oʻahu
Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine.
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