Lihue Farmers Market
 

Can anyone recommend this market for a stop? Our plane is scheduled to land in Lihue @ 2:30 pm. I noticed the farmers market in Lihue starts that day at 3 pm. I would love to pick up some fresh pineapples, papayas and bananas before heading to our condo in Poipu. Any other suggestions for popular & tasty items to pick up along the way? I don't want to do major shopping but I would like a few items for breakfast the following day.

Thanks for any input.

I've never done Lihue, but really enjoyed the one on Maui at Honakawai! So, what do you have to lose to stop and check it out?

I probably don't have anything to lose, but I know we will be tired and hungry after the flight, so I just want to find out if there is a good selection of produce and any must have items. Thanks.

I've not been to that one, but have been to the one in Hanalei twice and the one in Hanapepe once.

The selection in Hanalei was amazing. All the things you mentioned and more. Apple bananas! Great flowers to freshen up that condo!

I can tell you that the one in Hanalei was a mob scene at the beginning and then it mellowed out a bit as everything began to sell out. It did not take long for the vendors to run out of things. The one in Lihue may be different.

It would be worth a stop by, but keep your expectations low if you are going to be there much later after it opens.

Hopefully auntie will chime in here.

-Bill

Thanks Bill - I'll keep my fingers crossed that our arrival goes smoothly so we get to the market close to opening time. I've added the flowers and apple bananas to my list!

We went to a farmers market in Lihue this summer and can recommend it. There were a lot of vendors, a wide selection of produce and some, but not many, flowers.

It was located in a back parking lot at the mall, so right on your way to Poipu.

Thanks daydreamin!

wtm003, a couple of things. First, we went to the Farmers market in Hanalei, thinking we'd get bargains on produce relative to Foodland. But that wasn't our experience. Nor was the quality of any noticeable difference. (BTW, the food stores sell pineapples by the pound--$.69 when we were there last week.) I'm not sure the Lihue market would be that different. Second, there's a Wally World very close to the airport and they have about 6 aisles of foodstuffs (including wine, liquor, OJ, milk, butter, eggs, chips, and soda) that was much cheaper than the stores. I didn't see any produce, however.

wtm003, p.s. Word to the wise. Don't leave your produce out in the open where you're staying unless (a) you've got AC or (b) you want a bunch of fruit flies buzzing around........ Keep it in the frig if you've got one.

Thanks for the tips, dcd. Now I know where to get my mai tai supplies!

wtm003:

Are you arriving on a Friday, or a Monday? Both Lihu`e markets start at 3pm -- but each is in a different location:

Mondays the Farmers Market is in the Sears Parking Lot (Kukui Grove Shopping Center)

Fridays the Farmers Market is in the parking lot of Vidinha Stadium (near the airport).

And since you'll be staying in Po`ipu, be sure to attend the Monday one in Koloa, too. As mentioned, each market attracts different vendors, offering a wide variety of produce, flowers, etc.

Word to the wise -- these markets are small; get there too late after the opening "bell", and there is little or nothing from which to choose.

Hi Auntie -

We arrive on a Friday - 11 days from now! I can hardly focus on anything else.

What would you consider "too late" after opening at the Lihue market? We are planning to hit the market in Koloa and will be there at opening.

Thanks so much.

The Friday Lihu`e market is the largest one -- lots of vendors, bearing lots of product. So if you can be there by 3:30, you should still have a good selection from which to choose.

The Koloa market is much smaller -- you'll want to be there as soon as they open (and be eco-friendly, by bringing your own bags).

Thanks Auntie for the very helpful information!

We have done this very thing. We stock up on papayas and limes at the Lihue Farmers' Market. For breakfast, just cut the papaya in half, remove the seeds, squeeze some lime juice on the papaya and enjoy!

Meo - Yum! I am now craving papayas. Thanks.