Kailua-Kona Farmers Market Guide: Fresh Produce, Local Food & Island-Made Goods
Farmers markets are one of the easiest ways to taste Hawaiʻi Island beyond restaurants and resort dining.
Depending on the market, visitors may find tropical fruit, vegetables, flowers, lei, Kona coffee, honey, macadamia nuts, baked goods, prepared food, art, jewellery, clothing, and other island-made products. Some markets are strongly focused on food grown or produced on Hawaiʻi Island. Others combine a smaller produce section with crafts, gifts, and visitor-oriented shopping.
The best market therefore depends on what you want. Guests staying at Kona Vista Paradise have a major advantage: the Kona Farmers Market on Aliʻi Drive is only a short walk from the condo and operates five days each week. For a more farm-focused Saturday market, Keauhou is usually the strongest choice. For a Sunday outing into South Kona, the Pure Kona Green Market offers a smaller community atmosphere centred on Kona-grown and Kona-made products.
This guide focuses on markets that recur at least weekly or monthly. Hours, vendors, parking arrangements, and holiday schedules can change, so confirm the current details before making a special trip.
Kona-Area Markets at a Glance
Kona Farmers Market
Typical schedule: Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Best for: the closest and easiest market from Kona Vista Paradise
Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll
Typical schedule: one Sunday each month, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Best for: a large pedestrian market with local makers, food, music, and downtown atmosphere
Keauhou Farmers Market
Typical schedule: Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon
Best for: produce and food grown, caught, raised, or produced on Hawaiʻi Island
Hoʻoulu Community Farmers and Artisans Market
Typical schedule: Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Best for: produce, local food, crafts, live music, and a relaxed resort-lawn setting
Pure Kona Green Market
Typical schedule: Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Best for: a South Kona community market limited to products grown or made in Kona
1. Kona Farmers Market: The Closest Market to Kona Vista Paradise
Best for: convenience, tropical fruit, flowers, Kona coffee, crafts, and casual browsing
Location: Aliʻi Drive at Hualālai Road, across from Hale Hālāwai
Typical schedule: Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Kona Farmers Market, also called the Kailua Village Farmers Market or Kona Farmers and Crafts Market, is the natural starting point for guests at Kona Vista Paradise.
The market sits in the centre of Historic Kailua Village, only a short walk south along Aliʻi Drive from the condo’s pedestrian shortcut. For many guests, it is roughly a five-minute walk, depending on pace and route. That makes it easy to visit without planning a special excursion, searching for parking, or carrying purchases through a hot car.
The market advertises more than forty vendors and mixes food with visitor shopping. Offerings commonly include:
• Tropical fruit and vegetables
• Flowers and lei
• 100% Kona coffee
• Local honey
• Macadamia nuts
• Herbal tea and seasonings
• Shave ice and refreshments
• Jewellery and woodwork
• Photography and art
• Clothing, bags, soaps, and souvenirs
The produce selection changes with the season and the vendors attending that day. You may encounter papaya, pineapple, avocado, bananas, citrus, mango, rambutan, lychee, dragon fruit, lilikoi, vegetables, herbs, and other island-grown items, but no specific product is guaranteed.
Why this market deserves the most attention
Its biggest advantage is not that it is the purest agricultural market. It is that guests can walk over, browse for twenty minutes, return another day, or pick up fruit without reorganizing the itinerary.
It also works well on an arrival day. After checking in, guests can walk through Historic Kailua Village, stop at the market, buy fruit or coffee, and become familiar with the waterfront without driving anywhere.
What to understand before visiting
This is a farmers-and-crafts market, not a strict producer-only agricultural market. Some booths focus on local food and farm products, while others sell general gifts and visitor merchandise.
When the origin of an item matters, ask directly:
• Was this fruit grown on Hawaiʻi Island?
• Is this coffee 100% Kona or a Kona blend?
• Was this product made by the person selling it?
• Is the honey produced locally?
• Is the craft made in Hawaiʻi or imported?
Most vendors are happy to explain what they sell. Asking is more reliable than judging only by packaging or tropical imagery.
Best time to go
Go in the morning for cooler temperatures, better produce selection, and a quieter walk. Late afternoon can be convenient when combining the market with Hale Hālāwai, Kona Inn, shopping, dinner, or sunset, but some food vendors may have sold out.
Practical tips
• Bring a reusable bag.
• Carry some cash, even though individual vendors may accept cards.
• Compare fruit prices and quality before buying a large amount.
• Ask how to tell when unfamiliar fruit is ripe.
• Buy only what your group can refrigerate or eat during the stay.
• Walk from Kona Vista Paradise rather than paying for nearby parking.
Best for: a large monthly outdoor marketplace, local crafts, food, music, and a car-free Aliʻi Drive
Location: Kailua Pier through Historic Kailua Village to Hualālai Road
Typical schedule: one Sunday each month, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Kōkua Kailua is not a traditional farmers market, but it is too significant, and too close to Kona Vista Paradise, to leave out of a Kona market guide.
One Sunday each month, sections of Aliʻi Drive close to vehicles and become a pedestrian-only outdoor marketplace. More than one hundred booths may feature local artists, crafters, merchants, food vendors, community organizations, and musicians.
The event stretches from Kailua Pier through the historic village to Hualālai Road, placing Kona Vista Paradise near the centre of the activity.
Why choose Kōkua Kailua
• It is walkable from the condo.
• Aliʻi Drive becomes far more pleasant without traffic.
• The scale is larger than the regular Kona Farmers Market.
• Visitors can combine shopping with dinner, historic landmarks, and the waterfront.
• Each month can feature different vendors and entertainment.
The emphasis is broader than farming. Expect art, jewellery, clothing, crafts, prepared food, music, shops, and restaurant activity. Some agricultural or food products may appear, but this should be treated as a major community market rather than the place to buy the week’s best vegetables.
Planning tip
Check the official 2026 schedule before your trip because the event occurs on a selected Sunday rather than automatically on the same numbered date every month. Arrive before the busiest part of the afternoon, wear sun protection, and expect central parking to be difficult.
Guests at Kona Vista Paradise can avoid the parking problem entirely by walking.
Best for: serious produce shopping and products grown or produced on Hawaiʻi Island
Location: Keauhou Shopping Center, Phase Two parking area
Typical schedule: Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon
Keauhou Farmers Market is the strongest choice for visitors whose priority is local food rather than souvenirs.
The market is operated by the Kona County Farm Bureau and requires products to be grown, caught, raised, or produced on Hawaiʻi Island. The official market describes its offerings as 100% Big Island grown and made.
Visitors may find:
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Herbs and plants
• Kona coffee
• Honey
• Macadamia nuts
• Eggs
• Locally raised meat
• Handmade bread and baked goods
• Jams and preserves
• Flowers
• Prepared foods
Live music is also a regular part of the Saturday-morning atmosphere.
Why choose Keauhou
• It has the clearest agricultural focus.
• Visitors meet farmers and food producers directly.
• The market prohibits generic imported craft merchandise.
• Parking is easier than in downtown Kona.
• The shopping centre provides additional food, shops, restrooms, and services.
Best time to go
Arrive close to opening for the best produce selection and cooler weather. Popular fruit, baked goods, eggs, and prepared items may sell out well before noon.
What to combine with it
Keauhou Farmers Market fits naturally with:
• Kahaluʻu Beach Park
• Keauhou Bay
• A South Kona drive
• Grocery shopping at Keauhou Shopping Center
• Lunch or coffee before returning to Kailua-Kona
Practical tips
• Bring cash and reusable bags.
• Use a cooler bag for meat, eggs, cheese, or temperature-sensitive food.
• Ask farmers what is best that week rather than shopping from a fixed list.
• Do not arrive at 11:45 a.m. expecting the full selection.
Best for: a relaxed market with food, crafts, coffee, live music, and shaded seating
Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Typical schedule: Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hoʻoulu combines a farmers market, artisan fair, and social gathering on the grounds of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa.
The market’s stated emphasis is on products grown, made, or created on Hawaiʻi Island. Vendors may include farmers, coffee growers, bakers, food producers, artists, jewellers, and craftspeople.
Offerings commonly include:
• Seasonal produce and tropical fruit
• Estate coffee
• Local food and snacks
• Nuts, jams, and value-added farm products
• Art and photography
• Jewellery and handmade crafts
• Live music
Shaded tables and chairs make it easier to eat, listen to music, and spend time at the market rather than moving quickly from booth to booth.
Why choose Hoʻoulu
• It occurs twice each week.
• The resort setting is attractive and comfortable.
• It balances food with local art and crafts.
• Live music adds atmosphere.
• It is easy to combine with Keauhou Bay or a southern beach day.
What to know
This is smaller and more relaxed than Kōkua Kailua. Vendor attendance can vary, so go for the overall experience rather than expecting a specific product.
The market is farther from Kona Vista Paradise than the downtown market and requires a drive, rideshare, or bus trip. Confirm the resort’s current parking directions before visiting.
Best for: a Sunday community market centred on products grown or made in Kona
Location: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook
Typical schedule: Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pure Kona Green Market is the strongest choice for visitors who want a smaller market with strict local-origin expectations.
The Sunday market operates under the idea “from the land, by our hand.” Participating vendors are expected to offer products grown or made in Kona rather than imported merchandise.
Depending on the season and vendor lineup, visitors may find:
• Tropical fruit and vegetables
• Plants and flowers
• Kona coffee
• Baked goods
• Local honey and preserves
• Prepared food
• Art and handmade goods
• Natural or body-care products
The location at the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden gives the market a greener, more rural atmosphere than the markets along Aliʻi Drive.
Why choose Pure Kona Green Market
• The local-origin rules are central to the market.
• It supports small South Kona growers and makers.
• Sunday hours fit naturally into a Captain Cook itinerary.
• The botanical-garden setting feels removed from the resort corridor.
• It pairs well with coffee farms and historical sites.
What to combine with it
A Sunday market trip can be paired with:
• Kona Coffee Living History Farm
• Greenwell Farms or another South Kona coffee farm
• Kealakekua and Captain Cook
• Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
• Lunch in Captain Cook or Kealakekua
What to know
The drive from downtown Kona takes time, and the market is best treated as part of a South Kona day rather than a quick shopping stop.
Arrive in the morning for the best selection. Confirm the garden entrance, parking, and any holiday changes before leaving.
Which Market Should You Choose?
Choose Kona Farmers Market when:
• You are staying at Kona Vista Paradise.
• You want to walk rather than drive.
• You want fruit, coffee, flowers, crafts, and souvenirs in one stop.
• You prefer flexible hours over a narrow weekly schedule.
Choose Kōkua Kailua when:
• Your trip overlaps the monthly Sunday event.
• You want the largest downtown market atmosphere.
• Local crafts, food, music, and a pedestrian Aliʻi Drive matter more than produce.
• You want an event directly outside your downtown home base.
Choose Keauhou Farmers Market when:
• Fresh local food is the priority.
• You want to meet farmers and food producers.
• You are free on Saturday morning.
• You want easy parking and a strict Hawaiʻi Island focus.
Choose Hoʻoulu when:
• You want live music, food, art, and shaded seating.
• Wednesday or Friday fits your schedule.
• You are already visiting Keauhou.
• Your group has mixed interests.
Choose Pure Kona Green Market when:
• You are exploring South Kona on Sunday.
• You care about products grown or made in Kona.
• You prefer a smaller community market.
• You want to combine the visit with coffee farms or historic sites.
A Simple Market Schedule by Day
Wednesday:
Kona Farmers Market, Hoʻoulu Community Market
Thursday:
Kona Farmers Market
Friday:
Kona Farmers Market, Hoʻoulu Community Market
Saturday:
Kona Farmers Market, Keauhou Farmers Market
Sunday:
Kona Farmers Market, Pure Kona Green Market, and Kōkua Kailua on its selected monthly date
Monday and Tuesday:
The primary recurring farmers markets in this guide are generally closed. Use those days for grocery shopping, farm stands, coffee farms, or Aliʻi Gardens Marketplace, which is a permanent local-vendor marketplace rather than a conventional farmers market.
What Is in Season?
Hawaiʻi Island’s climate allows something to grow throughout the year, but individual crops still have seasons and vary by elevation, rainfall, and farm.
Possible market finds include:
• Papaya and banana through much of the year
• Avocado in several varieties and seasons
• Mango during warmer seasonal periods
• Lychee, rambutan, and longan during limited windows
• Citrus and pomelo
• Pineapple
• Dragon fruit
• Lilikoi
• Breadfruit
• Sweet potato, leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables
• Coffee, cacao, honey, macadamia nuts, and preserves
Ask vendors what is especially good that week. The most interesting purchase may be a fruit you did not plan to buy.
How to Shop for Tropical Fruit
Ask When It Will Be Ready
Some fruit should be eaten immediately. Other fruit may need several days on the counter.
Ask:
• Is this ready today?
• Should it be refrigerated?
• What colour or softness indicates ripeness?
• How should it be cut?
• Are the seeds or skin edible?
Buy a Small Amount First
A large fruit can produce more food than expected. Try one before buying several.
Check the Condo Kitchen
Kona Vista Paradise has a full kitchen and refrigerator, making market purchases practical. Still, consider how many meals remain and whether your group will actually prepare the food.
Wash Produce
Rinse fruit and vegetables before eating or cutting them, even when the skin will be removed.
Cash, Cards and Bags
Payment methods differ by vendor.
Some sellers accept cards or phone payments, while others prefer cash. Carry small bills so a minor purchase does not require a vendor to break a large note early in the morning.
Bring:
• Reusable shopping bags
• A small insulated bag for perishable food
• Water
• Sun protection
• Cash in small denominations
• A phone for digital payments and directions
Avoid leaving fresh food, chocolate, flowers, or produce in a hot vehicle while continuing a full day of sightseeing.
Local Does Not Always Mean the Same Thing
Market descriptions can use several different standards:
Locally sold:
The product is sold by a local business, but the ingredients or merchandise may come from elsewhere.
Made on Hawaiʻi Island:
The product was created or processed on the island, though some ingredients may be imported.
Grown on Hawaiʻi Island:
The agricultural product was grown on the island.
Grown in Kona:
The crop came from the Kona region.
100% Kona coffee:
The coffee is entirely from the recognized Kona growing origin, rather than a blend containing some Kona coffee.
When origin matters, ask. Clear questions support honest producers and help visitors understand what they are purchasing.
Market Etiquette
• Do not handle delicate fruit repeatedly without asking.
• Keep children close in crowded aisles.
• Ask before photographing a vendor or artisan at close range.
• Do not block a booth while holding a long conversation.
• Dispose of samples and food waste properly.
• Be patient when a farmer is serving several people.
• Respect posted prices; bargaining is not expected at every booth.
• Thank vendors who explain unfamiliar products, even when you decide not to buy.
Building a Farmers-Market Morning from Kona Vista Paradise
Easy Downtown Morning
7:30 a.m.
Walk to Kona Farmers Market while the day is cool.
8:15 a.m.
Return purchases to the condo refrigerator.
8:30 a.m.
Have breakfast or coffee along Aliʻi Drive.
9:30 a.m.
Continue to Kailua Pier, Kamakahonu, Huliheʻe Palace, or the waterfront.
This is the simplest option because no car is required and perishable purchases can be returned to the condo immediately.
Saturday Food Morning
7:30 a.m.
Drive south toward Keauhou.
8:00 a.m.
Shop at Keauhou Farmers Market.
9:30 a.m.
Have breakfast or coffee nearby.
10:30 a.m.
Continue to Kahaluʻu, Keauhou Bay, or South Kona.
Bring a cooler if food will remain in the vehicle.
Sunday South Kona Day
9:00 a.m.
Visit Pure Kona Green Market.
10:30 a.m.
Tour a nearby coffee farm or historical site.
12:30 p.m.
Have lunch in Captain Cook or Kealakekua.
Afternoon:
Continue to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau or return toward Kona.
Make Kona Vista Paradise Your Home Base
Farmers markets are easiest to enjoy when fresh purchases do not have to remain in a vehicle all day.
Kona Vista Paradise gives guests a major advantage: the closest market is only a short walk away, and the condo’s full kitchen, refrigerator, dining areas, and spacious lanai make it practical to use what you buy.
Pick up papaya for breakfast. Try an unfamiliar tropical fruit. Bring home Kona coffee or honey. Build a simple lunch around local bread, produce, and prepared food. Then return another day when the vendor selection has changed.
For the most convenient experience, begin with the Kona Farmers Market on Aliʻi Drive. For the strongest farm-food selection, visit Keauhou on Saturday morning. For a slower Sunday in South Kona, make Pure Kona Green Market part of a coffee-and-history day.
Each market shows a different side of Kona, and together they connect visitors with the farmers, cooks, artists, and small businesses that give the region its character.
