Don’t miss out on a visit to an outdoor farmers market for the best local produce on Kauai.
As you’d imagine from an island nicknamed The Garden Isle, there is plenty of opportunity during your vacation at Ali’i Kai to purchase amazing, super fresh, and tasty produce.
One of the best ways to do this is a visit to one of the many farmers’ markets on the island. Open year-round and known locally as Sunshine Markets, all the markets are outdoors, and many are in amazing locations with mountains, valleys or oceans as backdrops.
To ensure that you are buying Kauai-grown produce, look for the Kauai Grown and Kauai Made logos.
The most popular farmers market in Kauai is on the North Shore in Hanalei, just a short distance from the Ali’i Kai Resort in Princeville. In fact, the Hanalei farmers market was voted one of the top five farmers markets in Hawaii magazine’s Readers Choice Awards.
Also on the North Shore is Kilauea which hosts several markets. Kilauea farmers market is held every Thursday and is sponsored by the County of Kauai. Namahana farmers market is located near Kauai Mini Golf and runs two days a week.
On the East Side, the Kapaa farmers market is very popular. The market is filled with nearly 100 farmers, and residents flock to buy produce that was harvested that morning.
On the South Shore, the Koloa farmers market is popular for residents and visitors. Like the Kapaa farmers market, this market’s vendors are only farmers, so only fresh produce is available.
The best Lihue farmers market is every Saturday at the Kauai Community College. This privately run market hosts more than 100 vendors that offer fruit, vegetables, plants, and a variety of hot foods made with Kauai-grown produce!
North Shore Markets
Monday:
Namahana Farmers Market between the miniature golf and Banana Joe’s, 3 p.m. to dusk. Strictly local produce, as well as a few food artisans.
Tuesday:
Past Hanalei at Waipa Ranch, 2 p.m. This market is nestled in a lush valley surrounded by towering mountains. Shoppers can buy locally made gourmet goat and feta cheese, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, organic produce, coconuts, handmade crafts, and clothes.
Thursday:
Kilauea Neighborhood Center Ball Park / Gym Parking Lot, 4:30 p.m. Produce only.
Saturday:
Namahana Farmers Market in Kilauea by Banana Joe’s. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Strictly local produce as well as a few food artisans.
The Hanalei Farmers Market is at the Hanalei Community Centre. Its hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon. The market offers produce, food artisans, and handmade crafts.
East Side Markets
Monday:
Kukui Grove Shopping Center by Kmart, 3 p.m
Kealia Farm Market, across the highway from Kealia Beach, 3 to 6 p.m. Kauai honey, jams, bee products, Kealia Farm indigo-dyed women’s attire, poi, taro treats, baked goods, and produce.
Tuesday:
Coconut Market Place, Kapaa, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh leis and coconuts, a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, Moloaa Bay Coffee, anthiriums and cut flowers.
Wednesday:
Kapaa Sunshine Market, New Town Ball Park Parking Lot by Bypass Road, 3 to 4 p.m. Produce only, including a large choice of organic produce.
Thursday:
Coconut Market Place, Kapaa, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh leis and coconuts, a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, Moloaa Bay Coffee, anthiriums and cut flowers.
Friday:
Kealia Farm Market across the highway from Kealia Beach, 3 to 7 p.m.
Vidinha Stadium parking lot, 3 p.m. Produce only.
Anahola, all day. This market features grilled pork and huli-huli chicken plate lunches with sides of roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.
Saturday:
Kauai Community Market at Kauai Community College, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides fruit and vegetables, this gourmet market features locally made goat and feta cheese, tropical flowers, local honey, coffee, kimchi, tropical pies and jams, and European-style bread. Meals include kalua pig and poi, authentic Thai and Puerto Rican-style tacos and sandwiches made to order.
Anahola, all day. This market features huli-huli chicken and grilled pork plate lunch with sides of roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.
Sunday:
Anahola, all day. This market features huli-huli chicken and grilled pork plate lunches with sides of roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.
South Shore Markets
Monday:
Koloa Sunshine Market, Koloa Ball Park (Knudsen) Maluhia Road, noon. Produce only.
Kauai Open Aire Markets is set on a 5,000-square-foot lot just off Weliweli Road, behind the main stores on Koloa Road. It offers 12 covered booth spaces, complete with tables and chairs. The market is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Wednesday:
Kauai Culinary Market at Kukuiula Shopping Village, 3:30 to 6 p.m. This is a beautiful outdoor market, with vendors spread along the outdoor mall. Shoppers can buy local honey, coffee, gourmet salt blends, kimchee, tropical pies and jams, tropical flowers and produce. Live music, a beer and wine garden, and cooking demonstrations make it especially fun.
Friday:
Warehouse 3540 is a new Kauai farmers market that’s more like a popup. Only open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West Side Markets
Tuesday:
Kalaheo Sunshine Market, Neighborhood Center, 3 to 4 p.m. Produce only.
Thursday:
Hanapepe Sunshine Market, Hanapepe Park in Old Hanapepe Town, 3 to 4 p.m. Produce only.
Saturday:
Kekaha Sunshine Market, Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m. Produce only.
