I almost didn’t go thinking ‘oh, it’s just another farmers market.” I was only on Big Island for five days and there is so much to do, so much to see, and I’ve been to farmers markets before. I am so very glad I decided to dedicate some of my morning to the Hilo Farmers Market [Kamehameha Ave & Mamo Street, Hilo, HI 96721] which is truly a gem of a market.
Held every Wednesday and Saturday “from dawn till it’s gone” us early birds got there as the venders were setting up. Once the whole situation was up and rolling we walked up and down the aisles checking out the produce, sampling the yummy local fruit, and eying up the food. Everything looked tasty, but we had breakfast at home as we often do when traveling, and it wasn’t quite lunch yet. The fresh flowers were most excellent, epic protea blooms native to South Africa, that grow happily in Hawaii.
The craft selection at this market was big, maybe even bigger, than the food portion. Sure there were the cookie-cutter souvenirs, but hey, I needed another sarong and a plumeria hair clip.
What was really impressive were all of the unique and thoughtful artisanal crafts by the local vendors.
I found the coolest glass humuhumunukunukuapua’a fish (state fish of Hawaii) for my nature-loving dad.
I loved the one of kind specially cured ‘velvet’ or mgambo seed earrings I found for my cool trendy mom.
I really love finding meaningful local gifts to bring back home and a trip to the farmers market in Hilo provided me that opportunity, all while having a relaxing morning.