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Waking up to a beautiful Saturday morning in Waikiki? We have some great news! Saturday is Kaka’ako Farmers Market (KFM) day! The market is open every Saturday from 8am to 12pm. Take our advice and don’t sleep in and arrive too late. Many popular offerings seem to be sold out by 10:30am, and you don’t want to miss out on anything!
The farmer’s market is located right in the heart of the Kaka’ako neighborhood. It’s one of a handful of farmers markets offered by the FarmLovers group. FarmLovers’ mission is to support and nurture local farmers and their businesses and build economic growth, community health, and cultural awareness. That’s a mission we can get behind! And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, FarmLovers provided a home for over 200 small local businesses allowing them to keep thriving!
When you visit this neighborhood, you are visiting an important part of Honolulu’s history. Native Hawaaiins once fished, grew food on the wetlands, and produced pa‘akai (salt) here. In the 1800’s it became a center of industrial and residential community. Today, it is the home of a hip and bustling commercial neighborhood. Kaka’ako Farmers Market taps into the roots of the Kaka’ako area and offers an abundance of fresh locally grown produce, artisan foods booths, and local wares.
What exactly will you discover at the KFM? Right away, your eye will be caught by over 110 open air booths across 2 large lots! Where would you like to start? Well, did you make it bright and early and you’re a coffee kind of person? Make your first stop a Hawaiin roasted coffee. Rise and Grind or Nic’s Island Coffee are favorites!
If you want a smaller breakfast or a snack, you will be able to choose from a vast amount of fresh baked goods, including gluten-free options! Then, when you get really hungry, head on over to the food trucks to fill your belly with all the delicious offerings. You’re able to choose from such items as a breakfast burger or a Sunrise Sammy and taters at Journey Hawaii or french toast from Chef Arnaud’s. You will also be able to find fresh dim sum, Thai food, pizza, and plenty of seafood! There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options! Thirsty? At KFM you can try some really thirst quenching local beverages like sugarcane juice or Hawaiian honey slushies. How about a Boba Tea at Boba Bros? Yumm, this paragraph has us drooling.
On the island for a little longer? Well, this is the place to do your grocery shopping. All produce on offer is lovingly provided by local farmers, fishers, and butchers. You can find everything you need to cook up a fresh, delicious, healthy meal that’s honoring the island’s very important local farmers! Get your staples like eggs, fresh caught fish from the morning nets, and grass-fed beef. Don’t forget to pick up your in-season veggies and fruits too. Depending on when you’re visiting, get lettuce, chard, avocados, tomatoes, squash, kale, carrots, cucumbers, and herbs to add a kick to your cooking. Add a centerpiece to your table by purchasing some stunning fresh-cut tropical flowers.
A really great perk of the KFM is the chance you will have to meet local artisans and artists. You will get the story behind every unique, quality item you buy! And you can retell it to the lucky person you’re gifting it to. Whatever you buy here, you can guarantee it was crafted or created with love. Some treasures you might find range from handcrafted jewelry (check out JSY Designs 808) to organic essential oils. Browse through booths offering home decor, textiles, and unique wood decor such as Hawaiin cutting boards. A favorite for Hawaii-themed gifts is HZ Designs. Their skill with creating astonishing and beautiful resin designs that captures the spirit of Hawaii is unparalleled. Another great vendor to check out is Little Hands Hawaii. They offer locally-made, reef-safe mineral sunscreen! That’s amazing!
Get a preview of Kaka’ako Farmers Market by visiting their Facebook page.
How to get there:
KFM is a little less than a 20 min drive from Best Western Plaza Hotel. Enjoy convenient and easy free parking across the street at 1050 Ala Moana and at Fisherman’s Wharf. If parking seems a bit challenging on the day you go, no problem, people are always coming and going from the market and you’ll get a spot!
Don’t want to park? No problem. Use a ride-share app to get there and back!
KFM is also easily accessed by public transportation!
