The Big Island grows fruit you simply cannot find in most grocery stores, from apple bananas to lilikoi to rambutan. The best way to try them is at a local farmers market, where growers bring their harvest straight from the field.
Some of these markets are small and open just one morning a week, while others run several days and stretch for blocks. Here are eight markets across the island that are worth the gas money for the tropical fruit alone.
1. Hilo Farmers Market, Hilo
Downtown Hilo turns busy on Wednesdays and Saturdays when this market fills the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. It has grown into one of the largest markets on the island, with well over a hundred vendors on peak days.
The fruit selection here is hard to beat. Depending on the season, you can find rambutan, longan, lychee, dragon fruit, star fruit, and several kinds of banana that never make it to mainland stores.
Vendors also sell fresh flowers, macadamia nuts, and local honey, so it is easy to fill a bag. The market runs daily on a smaller scale, but the two big market days give you the widest choice.
Parking downtown can get tight by mid-morning, so arriving early helps. It sits within walking distance of shops and cafes, which makes it a natural first stop on a Hilo trip.
2. Maku’u Farmers Market, Pahoa
Out in the Puna district along Highway 130, this Sunday-only market has a laid-back, community feel that draws a big crowd every week. It runs on Sunday mornings and packs in a wide mix of produce, plants, crafts, and prepared food.
Fruit lovers come for the unusual finds. Puna is a strong growing region, so you will often spot abiu, soursop, jackfruit, and mountain apple alongside the more familiar papaya and pineapple.
The market also has a lively section of live music and local makers, which gives it more of an event feel than a quick shopping run. Plan to wander a while.
Since it is a bit of a drive from Hilo, many people treat it as a morning outing. Bring cash and a reusable bag, and get there early before the best fruit sells out.
3. Keauhou Farmers Market, Kailua-Kona
On the Kona side, Saturday mornings belong to this market at the Keauhou Shopping Center. It has a reputation for being a true producer market, meaning the people selling are usually the ones who grew the food.
Because west Hawaii has a drier climate, the fruit lineup leans toward Kona-grown avocados, papaya, citrus, and bananas, plus local coffee that the region is famous for.
The setting is easy for visitors, with shaded parking at the shopping center and clear walkways between stalls. It wraps up by early afternoon, so mornings are the move.
I like this stop because it feels manageable rather than overwhelming, which makes it a good pick if you want to actually talk to growers about what is in season.
4. Waimea Town Market, Waimea
Up in cattle country at higher elevation, Waimea feels cooler and greener than the coast, and its Saturday market reflects that. Held on the grounds of Parker School, it brings together farmers, bakers, and food vendors in one tidy spot.
The elevation changes what grows here, so alongside tropical staples you can find items suited to a cooler climate, like strawberries and a strong showing of leafy vegetables. It is a nice contrast to the lowland markets.
Prepared food and baked goods are a big draw, making it easy to grab breakfast while you shop. The grassy setting gives it a relaxed pace.
Waimea sits at a crossroads between Kona, Hilo, and the Kohala coast, so this market fits neatly into a longer island drive.
5. Kino’ole Farmers Market, Hilo
Not everyone wants the crowds of the big downtown market, and that is where this smaller Hilo option shines. Located at the Kino’ole Farmers Market site on Kino’ole Street, it keeps things simple and local.
The scale is friendlier here, so it is easier to browse without bumping elbows. You still get the Hilo-side fruit bounty, including bananas, papaya, citrus, and seasonal specialties from nearby farms.
Because it is more compact, it tends to be a quick and pleasant stop rather than an all-morning affair. Regulars appreciate that.
If the downtown market feels like a lot, this is a calmer way to get the same rain-fed east Hawaii produce. Come early for the freshest picks and easy parking.
6. Ho’oulu Community Farmers Market, Kailua-Kona
Set on the grounds of a resort along Ali’i Drive, this Kona market has one of the prettiest locations of any on the island. It runs on Wednesday and Sunday mornings with an ocean backdrop.
The focus leans strongly toward locally grown and made products, so you will find Kona coffee, tropical fruit, macadamia nuts, honey, and prepared island foods. The vendors are chosen with a community and sustainability angle in mind.
Because it sits along the resort corridor, it is an easy add-on for anyone staying on the Kona coast. The setting alone makes it a nice morning walk.
Parking is straightforward at the resort, and the market keeps a manageable size that is easy to browse before the day heats up.
7. Volcano Farmers Market, Volcano
Right near the edge of the national park, the tiny village of Volcano hosts an early Sunday market at Cooper Center that has a devoted local following. It starts early, sometimes before dawn light fully arrives, and the good stuff goes fast.
Sitting at high elevation, the fruit and produce here reflect the cooler, misty climate. Alongside island fruit you will find garden vegetables, baked goods, and homemade foods from Volcano-area residents.
The market doubles as a community gathering spot, so it has more of a neighborhood feel than a tourist stop. That is part of the charm.
If you are heading to see the national park, timing an early visit here makes for a smart start to the day. Bring layers, since mornings up here run chilly.
8. Kamuela Farmers Market, Waimea
A second Waimea option gives the upcountry crowd another Saturday choice, this one held at Pukalani Stables. The ranch-country setting fits the area’s paniolo history.
Vendors here bring a mix of produce, plants, coffee, and prepared foods. Thanks to the elevation, expect a blend of cooler-climate crops and lower-elevation tropical fruit hauled up from surrounding farms.
The relaxed pace and green pasture surroundings make it a pleasant place to linger over a coffee while you shop. It feels rooted in the local farming community.
Since Waimea connects several major routes, pairing this market with a coastal drive is easy. Get there in the morning when selection is at its best and the weather is cool.
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