Kaua'i

With the recent push in Hawai'i to move away from our dependence on imported food and return to the smart and self-sufficient model of local food production, farmers' markets are popping up in parking lots across the state in support of this goal. But not all farmers' markets operate with local farmers in mind as some vendors buy from bulk-item grocery stores and try to pass off imported produce to island residents at inflated prices. GREEN has sifted through the open-air market hodgepodge and found the real farmersƒ markets, the collectives that promote local farmers and the freshest, locally grown produce, bridging the gap between farmer, consumer and table.

Waipa Farmers' Market
On the mauka side of the road about a half-mile north of Hanalei town
Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

It doesn't get any more local than the Waipa Farmers' Market. Nestled up to verdant mountains in the Halele'a district on Kaua'i's north shore, more than 20 island-based vendors spread out across a grassy field on the Waipa ahupua'a, selling locally-grown produce and an assortment of finished products you won't find at the County-run markets on the island.

The market opens at 2:00 p.m. sharp every Tuesday and they have a strict "no early birds, no poachers" policy. You'll find the usual assortment of both organic and regular produce at a great price. But the real score is the hodgepodge of prepared goods: Kaua'i-grown chocolate, hand-crafted ice cream, salsa, goat cheese from the Kaua'i Kunana Dairy and other foods that come from certified kitchens. Tropical fresh-cut flowers are available and you can even pick up taro root to slice chips, deep fry or pound your own poi.

In addition to managing the weekly farmers' market, the Waipa Foundation also manages the 1,600-acre ahupua'a. Stop by the Waipa tent and ask about some of their ongoing programs like the fishpond restoration, the native plant nursery and organic garden.

There is plenty of parking, but arrive early to nab the choice goods. Anywhere from 400 to 600 people visit the market every Tuesday, so have your list ready and keep your eyes peeled like bananas for the best culinary finds.

Kapa'a Sunshine Market
Kapa'a New Town Park, corner of Kahau Road and Olohena Road
Wednesday, 3:00 p.m.

On Kaua'i, seven Sunshine Markets dot the island. The County-run program was initiated to prop up local farmers and give them an outlet to offer fresh local produce to residents at a reduced cost. The Kapa'a market is by far the biggest of all the Sunshine Markets, with nearly 40 vendors offering a mind-bending medley of fruits and vegetables. Only produce can be sold at Sunshine Markets.

Local knowledge is the key to scoring the pick of the litter at the Kapa'a market. There is no purchasing of produce until the whistle blows promptly at 3:00 p.m. People in the know shop around just before the whistle and bag up their produce picks, leaving them with the vendors. Once the whistle blows, the monetary exchange can be made.

The first 15 to 20 minutes after the whistle can be extremely busy at the market: shoulder to shoulder, people running from vendor to vendor to select the best produce like an extreme sport, money changing hands faster than at a Vegas casino. But don't let the initial melee deter you. Being the largest market on the island, the selection is incredible. You name itÐsweet potato, kale, sprouts, sweet corn, garbanzo beans, green onions, avocado, limesÐit's available. And if one vendor is out, just try another. And make sure to pick up some fresh cut flowers for the house or a potted plant to add a little greenery to the yard.

Check out these markets if you're in the area:

Kekaha Sunshine Market
Kekaha Neighborhood Center, Elepaio Road
Saturday, 9:00 a.m.

Hanalei Saturday Market
5-5299 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei Community Center
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Hanapepe Sunshine Market
Hanapepe Park, Old Hanapepe Town
Thursday, 3:00 p.m.

Kalaheo Sunshine Market
Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Papalina Road off Kaumualii
Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.

Kaua'i Community Market
Kaua'i Community College
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Kilauea Sunshine Market
Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Keneke off Lighthouse Road
Thursday, 4:30 p.m.

Koloa Sunshine Market
Koloa Ball Park, Maluhia Road
Monday, Noon

Lihue Sunshine Market
Vidinha Stadium, Hoolako Road
Friday, 3:00 p.m.

Maui

Farmers' Market of Maui, Kihei
61 South Kihei Road, across from Kihei Canoe Club
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Just like apple bananas, papayas and Japanese cucumbers are a staple at almost every farmers' market, the Farmers' Market of Maui in Kihei has been a staple of the south shore community for 35 years, making it the longest running farmers' market still operating on Maui. But instead of finding individual vendors selling their produce under makeshift pop-up tents, this market is an open-air outlet where farmers drop off their fruits, vegetables and homemade goods and the Farmers' Market of Maui takes care of the rest. Because the market operates as a sole entity, they also offer non-Maui grown items like russet potatoes in addition to the majority of the local, farm-fresh produce.

What really has people talking about the market are all the delicious and fresh prepared items. The market features local dressings, salsas, cream cheese and baked goods. If you're into banana bread, check out all three flavors including the sought-after banana pineapple pumpkin loaf. Their guacamole is a top seller and the shelves are stocked with an assortment of dips and prepared salads, including their famous mach-chicken tofu salad. And don't forget to pick up some Kula sweet corn, touted as the best corn ever.

Maui Swap Meet
Maui Community College on Kaahumanu Avenue
Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Maui Swap Meet is one of the best venues on Maui to stock up on all types of locally grown and crafted goodies for the kitchen, but also a great place to support the local community and who knows, maybe even pick up a garage sale item while you're at it. The swap meet brings together 50 to 60 vendors selling produce, plants, cut flowers and prepared items. The farmers' market portion of the swap meet is grouped together for the most part, so if you're coming strictly for produce, you can skip the souvenirs.

Maui doesn't have a lot of farmers' markets to choose from and the vast gathering of local farmers is otherwise unheard of. In addition to fruits and veggies, the market is a great place to pick up cut flowers, including the myriad of colorful and unique proteas. Woody Goble, owner of Goble's Protea Farm in Kula is the go-to guy for proteas, famous for his varieties and hybrids. One of Maui Community College's graduates started up his own business creating a sweet assortment of jams and jellies, and now Jeff's Jams & Jellies is one of the most talked about vendors at the market, selling all sorts of jams, jellies, chutneys and butters.

The Maui Swap Meet also prides itself on its commitment to supporting the local community and offers free vendor booths to Maui Community College clubs and organizations and non-profit groups. Wandering the swap meet, you'll find these organizations selling baked goods and other items to raise money for their particular campaigns. There's nothing like a bake sale to keep the donations coming.

Check out these markets if you're in the area:

Farmers' Market of Maui, Honokowai
3636 Lower Honoapiilani Road, across from Honokowai Park
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Maui's Fresh Produce Farmers' Market
Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center, center stage area
Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Maui Mall Farmers' Market & Craft Fair
Maui Mall, Kahului
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Oahu

Hale'iwa Farmers' Market
On the corner of Highway 83 and Highway 99, on the Waimea side of Hale'iwa town
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

While the North Shore is most notable for its world-class waves and the non-conventional community that has evolved around the sport of surfing, Country farmers are also becoming more sought after and popular, thanks to the Hale'iwa Farmers' Market. With the beautiful and verdant Wai'anae Mountains in the distance, the market has become a gathering place where local farmers, artists and craftsmen interact with people hungry for fresh produce and all sorts of locally produced goods.

The Waialua Sugar Mill welcomes all patrons at the entrance to the market with locally grown coffee and shave ice. Purchase fresh meats from the North Shore Cattle Company and stop by the Naked Cow Dairy booth to sample a wide array of butters and cream cheese made fresh on Mt. Ka'ala on the leeward coast. The dairy is one of three remaining in the entire state. From on-site boiled Cajun peanuts from Taste Deez Nutz to the infamous Big Wave Tomato pesto pizza made fresh from the portable North Shore Farms' oven, there is plenty to eat as you stroll. A handful of organic and traditional local farms display fresh produce and you can even pick up a bag of local poi, pounded on a long, dug out swath of koa at the market. But the assortment of local goods doesn't stop there: all-natural candles made by the Aloha Soy Candle Company, gourmet salts, photographs and paintings from local artists, even pottery and jewelry. The Hale'iwa Farmers Market has done more than provide an outlet for residents to find local produce at great prices, they've created a community of their own, where fresh, delicious, hand-made and local are the talk of the town.

KCC Farmers' Market
Kapiolani Community College Campus, Parking Lot C
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

The KCC Farmers' Market is more than just a farmers' market, it's an event. With roughly 5,000 people visiting 65 vendors over three-and-a-half hours, you can rightly assume that the parking lot is crazy and the ready-to-eat food and locally grown produce is worth the leg work of waiting for a spot on campus or walking up the hill from lower Monsarrat Avenue.

One of eight farmers' markets run by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation in Hawai'i, the KCC Farmers' Market holds true to the group's mission: economic viability of Hawai'i's farmers and ranchers. All produce available at the market must be farmed in Hawai'i. At KCC, the primary importance is placed on farmers and their produce. The featured prepared foods are merely an added bonus, stimulating local business and salivary glands.

As apparent by the throngs of residents and visitors flocking to the market, it has everything the people want. Nalo Farms, Kahuku Farms, North Shore Farms, Maunawili Greens, MA'O Organic Farm, you name it, they are selling the best produce in Hawai'i. In addition, Blue Lotus Farms sells free-range chicken eggs and Gourmet Island has several varieties of Hamakua mushrooms. From the ocean you'll find Big Island farm-raised abalone and Marine AgriFuture's Kahuku sea asparagus. Cut flowers, tropical plants, orchids and hibiscus are available throughout the market and the array of jam, jellies, spreads, snack foods, plate lunches and baked goods is staggering.

For shoppers on a mission, the Farm Bureau has an updated list of the scheduled vendors for the week posted on their website. You can also pick up a map of the market and list of vendors when you arrive at the Farm Bureau's tent at the entrance of the market.

Check out these markets if you're in the area:

Honolulu Farmers' Market
Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Ward Avenue and Kapiolani Blvd.
Wednesday, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The Kailua Thursday Night Farmers' Market
Kailua Road, Kailua Parking Garage behind Longs
Thursday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

The Mililani Sunday Farmers' Market
95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani High School parking lot
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - Noon

The Waianae Farmers' Market
86-260 Farrington Highway, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Big Island

Waimea Town Market
65-1224 Lindsey Road, Parker School Campus
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - Noon

Waimea Town Market, located on the Parker School Campus in the heart of Waimea, is new on the block. It opened in 2008 with a handful of vendors and has quickly grown to a total of 28 vendors selling items ranging from Laupahoehoe honey to artesian breads and Mexican tamales. The volunteer-run market requires that produce sold must be grown in Hawai'i and value-added products should contain local ingredients. The market is unique in that vendor rents are donated to Parker School. How's that for bolstering the community?

The small gathering place at the market's center provides a family-friendly atmosphere where children run barefoot in the grass while their parents relax at the picnic tables to sample their delectable acquisitions. Purchase a loaf of the rustic pugliese or olive herb bread made in a portable oven at the market by Kevin and Kay Cabrera of the Sandwich Isle Bread Company, but get there early because they typically sell out by 11:00 a.m. Another market favorite is Kekela Farms, a 20-acre farm in Waimea. Kekela provides fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, including crisp baby romaine lettuce. If you're a coffee connoisseur, don't pass up a cup of Javaloha coffee, grown by David Steiner along the Hamakua Coast. Shade grown under koa and ohi'a lehua trees at a 2000-foot elevation, this joe has a smooth, rich and less bitter taste than other Big Island coffees. Hawaiian B Natural Farms sells beefsteak tomatoes, round eggplant and sweet peppers, all hydroponically grown in greenhouses in the Kalopa Mauka area and if your sweet tooth aches, check out Nicole Tergeoglou's "Let it Bee" honey from Manowaiopae Homestead Farm in Laupahoehoe. Island Thyme Gourmet corners the market offering several types of hand-packed sausage including chorizo, bratwurst and a spicy Italian sausage. The spicy Italian and bratwurst sausages contain humanely raised Hawaiian red veal, a local product made available through the Hawaii Cattle Producers Cooperative. —Nicole Milne

Kino'ole Farmers' Market
1990 Kinoole Street, Hilo, two blocks mauka of Puainako Town Center on Kinoole Street
7:00 a.m. - Noon

This market's friendly, local atmosphere and convenient location make Kino'ole Street Market a popular choice for many Hilo residents. As a Hawai'i Farm Bureau market, all vendors at Kino'ole Street Market must sell locally grown products and ingredients in value-added items should be sourced locally. The first stop at the Kino'ole Market should be at Lynette and Frank Valdez's Andagi booth while the doughnuts are still warm. This popular Okinawan doughnut is made with local eggs and sells for $4.75 a half dozen. Jerome Sasaki of Honomu Aquatics and Plant Nursery is a local artist, ornamental plant grower, and catfish breeder. Jerome offers a unique product: with the purchase of $100 in ornamental plants, you can have one of Jerome's plein air oil paintings of Hawai'i Island locales. Yoshiyama Farms is very popular for one item in particular, araimo root. It is difficult to find fresh, locally grown araimo, also known as Japanese taro, a common ingredient in the Japanese stew nishime. Hearts of palm, longan, lilikoi, citrus and coffee are all on offer at OK Farms from Wainaku and taro chips abound with different vendors offering a wealth of varieties.

Other popular value-added items include Hawaiian chili pepper croutons and the lilikoi and lemon tarts sold by Miriam's cookies. If you are in the market for native plants and trees, stop by Ho'oluana Ranch's booth where you can find dwarf and yellow ohi'a trees. On your way back to the car make sure to pick up some anthuriums from Green Point Nursery or bouquets from Aguinalvo Farm. Green Point Nursery is well known for their wide variety of anthuriums, developed through work with the University of Hawai'i; popular choices include Leilani Reds, Tropic Fire and a new all white variety. —Nicole Milne

Check out these markets if you're in the area:

Keauhou Farmers' Market
Keauhou Shopping Center, fronting Ace Hardware
8:00 a.m. - Noon

The South Kona Green Market
Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Volcano Farmers' Market
1000 Wright Road, Cooper Center
Sunday, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Waikoloa Village Farmers Market
68-3625 Paniolo Avenue, Waikoloa Community Church Parking Lot
Saturday, 7:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Akebono Farmers' Market
Akebono Parking Lot, Pahoa
Sunday, 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Fern Forest Town Market
Second Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Honoka'a Farmers' Market
Old Botelho Building, Downtown Honokaa
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Ka'u Farmers' Market
In Front of Ace Hardware, Kau
Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - Noon

Laupahoehoe Farmers' Market
Laupahoehoe, next to the Minit Stop on Highway 19
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.