On Saturday morning my mom and I headed out early and went to the Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market in Honolulu, Hawaii. The market opens at 8am{I LOVE it when a market is open early!}. Anyway, we got there around 8:30 and the place was already bustling with people.
Let me just say this… I wish this was my local farmer’s market. Seriously. Not only was there an abundance of local produce, there were a TON of food vendors. The market stalls were all filled with crazy delicious items I wanted to buy/eat. No hot dogs, caramel corn, or the usual boring stuff. Also missing in action were the bizarre arts and craft booths. {Please tell me I’m not the only one who notices that some farmer’s markets are about 80% arts and crafts and only about 20% food}.
In addition to the typical baked goods {scones, bread, big cookies} and roasted coffee booths, they had stuff like stacked avocado toast {which I happily forked over $12 for} Ah-Mazing salads, pulled pork dishes, stuffed quiches, hand pies and so much more.
In a way, it reminded me of the Farmer’s Market The Girl and I went to in Burlington, Vermont. Everything was crazy fresh, super local, artisan quality and people were lining up to buy things from their favorite vendors.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a good farmer’s market. And I would totally give the Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market a 10 out of 10 if I were a judge of such things.
Lettuce bouquets wrapped in newspaper… Clever!
If you are ever in Honolulu on a Saturday… PLEASE go visit the Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market. It’s awesome! Do YOU have a favorite farmer’s market? If so, where is it and what is your favorite thing to buy there? I’d love to know.
~Mavis
Kaka’ako Farmers’ Market
1240 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Lunch Lady says
Looks amazing! I wish ours would ban dogs too. Sometimes you can’t find a place to walk without a giant dog in your path. The produce looks so good! When I was in Kona a few years ago we ate from the Market as much as possible. I never got used to the roadside stands (honor system) with pineapples for $1.00 avocados (huge!) 2/1.00 I ate as much avocado as I could hold. To say nothing of the papaya tree in the yard of the house we were renting! Such good memories. Mahalo!
Kathy Gervasio says
I am compiling my to do list for December. bakeries, farm markets, any thrifting????
Will be in Honolulu for 4 days, on the north shore for 10.
Keep the inspiration coming.
Mavis Butterfield says
There is an AMAZING Salvation Army store along the waterfront {Nimitz HWY}.
Deborah says
Mavis,
I totally agree with you on the arts and crafts crap at a farmers market. I refuse to go to most of them around my area for that reason.
My daughter lives in Madison, WI and the Dane County Farmers Market there is great. No arts and crafts and everything has to be grown/raised in Wisconsin.
Great bakeries and fresh local everything. I go as often as I can.
Laura says
I love the Sunshine markets in Kauai. A different city each day of the week so if you miss one you can just go to the next town over for the next day. All fruits, vegs, and flowers. And sooooooo cheap! I could live on apple bananas and papaya and make smoothies for breakfast each day to get my fill before I have to head back to appleland (WA). Heaven!!
Practical Parsimony says
Our markets open at 7 am. There are a few crafts. One an has beautiful pottery. I bought a tiny berry colander with its own saucer. Another sells apron and bonnets. These go along with the market atmosphere in my opinion. Other tables don’t get a second glance from me. We don’t have food like that, mostly fried pies and lemonade. I would love to go to a market in Hawaii!