Tina Marie Garcia (RA) RS 78939, eXp Realty

Tag: food

Oahu’s Favorite Farmers Markets

When it comes to grocery shopping on the island, nothing compares to picking up produce from your local farmers market. Not only is it a great way to support the community, it is also more cost effective, and guarantees you the freshest of product.

Since Hawaii is a culture that thrives off of local agriculture, farmers markets are a staple within the growing communities. It doesn’t matter if you need to pick up some papaya and pineapple, or looking to get your hands on a little Hawaiian honey, we’ve got you covered! 

Here are 15 of Oahu’s favorite Farmers Markets. Each title is complete with a link to their Yelp page for more information. Happy shopping!

KCC Farmers Market
Saturdays, 7:30 am – 11:00 am

Since KCC is one of the most popular markets on island, you are able to choose from a wide variety of farmers and vendors. Everything from fresh squeezed lemonade, vegan grindz and even handmade soaps you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for and more at this farmers market.    

Honolulu Farmers Market

Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Located inside the Neil Blaisdell Center, The Honolulu Farmers Market is the ultimate spot for a little taste testing action. Local vendors include Vida Farms, Mochi Lab and No Ka Oi Cookie Company.  

Hyatt’s Farmers Market

Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

You can find local artists crafting koi wood sculptures and farms making fresh cane juice, right in the heart of Waikiki. It’s the perfect place to pick up some handmade gifts or hand-picked produce.

King’s Village Farmers Market

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

This one stop shop is a great way for visitors to sample local sweets & snacks like poke, malasadas, and tapioca pudding. Set up right in the entrance off Kaiulani St, you can’t miss it.

Manoa Farmers Market

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, 7:00 am – 11:00 am

Although this market is more on the smaller side, it can be paired with a trip to Manoa falls, making for the perfect adventure day. Since it’s held in the Manoa Marketplace shopping center, there’s plenty more to see once you’re finished browsing the market.

Kakaako Farmers Market

Saturdays, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

The layout is just as large as KCC’s, minus the crowd. The less crowded atmosphere allows locals more time to talk with vendors here, so the experience is more engaging. If you like to talk story about where your food comes from, this is the market for you!

Fort Street Mall

Tuesday & Friday, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm

Catered to the working crowd this downtown market was a wider selection of produce than most farmers markets. The market is set up on the pedestrian mall and makes for a great spot to spend your lunch break.

Waialua Farmers Market

Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

If you’re not a fan of crafts and food booths in your farmer’s markets, this Co-Op is a good one for you. Almost exclusively produce, the farmers and vendors are happy to give you tips on cooking & preparing your purchases, for a true farm to table experience. 

Mahiku Farmers Market

Wednesdays, 3:00 -7:00 pm

Mahiku runs the markets at King’s Village & Hyatt in Waikiki (see above). This is their Ewa Beach Farmers Market on the West side of Oahu. However, there is typically 7 or 8 vendors total, making it one of the smallest markets on island.

Pearlridge Farmers Market

Saturdays, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

If you could only visit one market on this list, Pearlridge is a must-see! This is one of the only markets where you’ll find organic meats for sale. It has consistently grown, without getting too crowded, so locals love it. There’s even live Hawaiian music to enjoy as you browse! 

Makeke Kapolei 

Thursdays, 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Famous for the friendliness of its vendors, this market showcases the essence of aloha. It is also known for having fun activities for the keiki (kids) so they can enjoy themselves while you look around.

Winward Mall Farmers Market

Sundays, 10:00 -2:00 pm

A little different since the booths set up indoors, so you’re out of the heat and in the AC. Some are sceptical about whether most produce is grown locally, but most love the food offerings and the comfortable setting. Maybe not as authentic, but still a good time in the largest mall on the Windward Side.

Haleiwa Farmers Market

Thursdays, 2:00 pm -6:00 pm

You might have known this local market from it’s old location right in Haleiwa town itself. It’s the same community event, just moved over to Waimea Valley. You are sure to find goodies and treats made exclusively on the North Shore of Oahu Keep in mind that a lot of people come to see the waterfalls here, so parking can be hard.

Kailua Farmers Market

Thursdays, 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Recommended as one of the must-do’s while in Kailua, visitors are able to eat a wide selection of local foods and shop some of the freshest produce. With decent prices and variety of vendors to choose from, you won’t leave this market disappointed or empty handed. 

5 Hottest Happy Hours in Honolulu

There is a sacred moment in time when islanders clock out of the work grind and slow down to celebrate the end of another day. Now, if you are thinking this honorable hour I’m referring to is golden hour— think again. Although I am a sucker for a good sunset, nothing compares to that special occasion where food is half off and drinks specials are priceless. 

That’s right, I’m talking about happy hour, or “Pau Hana” as the locals like to call it. 

(Pronounced Pow-Ha-Nah) This island term translates to “finished work” which is typically a time to relax, decompress, and enjoy a well-deserved drink. Whether you are looking for a place to gather with your girlfriends, grab some beers with the boys, or even take your next tinder date, we’ve got you covered!

Amp up your afternoon with some of Honolulu’s hottest happy hours. 

 

1. Moku Kitchen: If you are a longtime fan of Monkeypod, then you are sure to love its sister store Moku Kitchen. Found in the heart of Downtown Honolulu this chef-driven concept stays true to its island roots, by using fresh ingredients sourced by local farmers. Happy hour deals include 50% off their Small Plates, $10 brick oven pizzas, and discounted signature cocktails. If the farm-to-table concept isn’t enough to get you going, I’m sure the live music will! 

Experience their uptown country vibes, downtown from 3:00 to 5:30 PM and late night from 10:00 to 11:00 PM


2. Herringbone: Catered to the seafood lover, Herringbone offers its award-winning bites at discounted prices during their two buck shuck Oyster Hour. That’s right! Just $2 for half-shell oysters served with Maui sweet onion mignonette, chili pepper water, and wasabi cocktail sauce. But if you could care less about the fancy cocktail sauce, and are just looking to get sauced, allow me to suggest their Rye Old Fashions for only $7 a pop! 

Stop in the bar and lounge from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and again at 9:00 PM to close. 

3. Doraku Sushi: I love sushi, but I love sushi even more when it is priced at $6 a roll. Doraku’s menu is a mix of popular Japanese cuisine and more inventive fusion dishes, making it one of the best happy hour menus on island. Come in for the discounted sake or signature lychee martini, and stay for the tempura brownies (Disclaimer: the brownies are excluded from happy hour, but I promise they are worth every penny).   

Served in the sushi bar from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

4. Hula Grill: Happy hour in Honolulu doesn’t get more local than the ono grindz found at Hula Grill. After munching on the Crab Mac Nut Wontons, Coconut Crusted Calamari, and Kalua Pork Tacos you will understand why they refer to their happy hour as “Aloha Hour”. Located on the second level in the Outrigger Hotel, their ocean view makes the perfect place to grab a Mai Tai at sunset and play tourist!

Taste the aloha daily from 3:00 to 6:00 PM

5. Yard House: After hustling half yards for 5+ years I might sound biased on this one, but Yard House is more than a place with a solid happy hour, it’s a place that brings people together. I know from experience because this Honolulu hotspot is actually the place Tina and I met way before her real estate days! With the largest selection of craft beer on island, an epic playlist of classic rock, and a legendary waitstaff that is always happy to help don’t act surprised if you feel the urge to ask for an application!

Join the #YardieParty Monday-Friday from 2:00 to 5:30 PM or late night Sunday-Wednesday 10:00 PM to close.

 

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you choose to get your pau hana on because Honolulu is home to some of the best happy hours on Oahu. So really, the only thing that matters is enjoying yourself, being in good company and getting your order in before last call! 

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