🔑 Quick Answer: The Hilo Farmers Market is a large open-air market in historic downtown Hilo on the east side of Hawaii’s Big Island, open daily from 7 am to 3 pm at the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Wednesdays and Saturdays are the “Big Market Days,” when most of its 200-plus vendors turn out. Come for naturally ripened tropical fruit, local plate lunches and poke, baked goods like butter mochi and kūlolo, flowers, and crafts.
For food-first travelers, a stop at the Hilo Farmers Market is practically obligatory on the Island of Hawai’i. This beloved open-air market on the Big Island’s lush east side has been going for more than 20 years, and it’s one of the best places to taste the island through naturally ripened tropical fruit, local plate lunches, and handmade treats.
If you’re visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, the Hilo Farmers Market makes an easy and delicious detour. Below is how to make the most of it: when to go, where to find it, and what to buy.
Why Trust Us
This guide was written by Ligaya Malones, a Hawaii-raised food and travel writer who grew up on Kaua’i and has spent over a decade covering the islands’ food and farmers’ markets for outlets like Food52, Condé Nast Traveler, and Lonely Planet.
We here at Salt & Wind Travel are a food-focused travel company that plans Big Island and Hawaii trips constantly and builds local food stops like this one into our clients’ itineraries.
Market hours, vendors, and seasonal produce change, so check current details before you go.
About The Hilo Farmers Market
The Hilo Farmers Market is a daily open-air market in downtown Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, founded in 1988 and now home to more than 200 produce, food, and craft vendors.
The town of Hilo is on the lush east side of the Big Island of Hawai’i. It has a history as an agricultural, fishing, and sugar industry hub. Today, the downtown area offers a handful of small independent shops, art galleries, historical spots like the Haili church, architectural finds like the Art Deco Palace Theater, and buildings constructed in the revival style. Hilo Bay is nearby and frames what is considered the island’s biggest little town.
The Hilo Farmers Market began in 1988 when four local farmers sold their produce out of the back of their trucks (note that you’ll still see this throughout the islands). It has since grown into one of the largest outdoor markets in Hawai’i. Tents and tarps were a defining market characteristic until 2022 when a permanently covered structure with stalls was built.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Corner of Mamo St and Kamehameha Ave in downtown Hilo |
| Hours | Daily 7am to 3pm |
| Big Market Days | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Vendors | More than 200 |
| Parking | Mo'oheau Park or on the street |
| Nearest airport | Hilo International (ITO) about 10 minutes away |
| Founded | 1988 |
What’s Sold At Hilo Farmers Market?
If you’ve been to several farmers’ markets before then, you’ll know that not all markets are equal. In the case of Hilo Farmers Market, if you’re wondering what’s sold here, the better question is what’s not sold here, as this market has more than 200 vendors:
Baked Goods And Prepared Food
You’ll also find a variety of ingredients and handcrafted foods. Vendors like Natural HI Honey, while others make jams and jellies or baked goods like butter mochi, kūlolo (made with taro and coconut milk), and banana nut bread.
Thanks to several prepared food vendors, you can have lunch at the market. Get local plate lunches like garlic shrimp with rice and poke bowls from Poke N Sides, Thai and Japanese options from Dragon Kitchen, Peruvian tamales, and vegan dishes.
Making Hilo your base? Our Big Island guide covers what else to see on the east side and beyond.
| Season | What's in Season |
|---|---|
| Summer | Lychee, mango, liliko'i (passion fruit), and mountain apple |
| Fall | Dragonfruit |
| Winter | Longan and rambutan |
| Spring | Avocado |
| Year-round | Papaya, pineapple, breadfruit, and coconut |
Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, And Flowers
Hawai’i’s mild climate means fruits and veggies grow year-round, though the islands do see some seasonality.
For example, when you visit during the summer, you’ll likely see lychee, mango, and liliko’i (passion fruit). Whereas dragonfruit is more of a fall thing, longan and rambutan are winter produce, and avocados are more common in the spring. You may have had these fruits on the mainland, but they’ll likely taste better since you’re getting them straight from the source.
Papaya, pineapple, breadfruit, and coconuts are available year-round—and often taste sweeter since farmers harvest them at peak ripeness. Some of the many vegetables you’ll come across include bok choi, eggplant, and leafy greens.
You’ll see flowers and plants, including mini bonsai plants, orchids, and tropical flowers. Look, too, for the produce you won’t find on the mainland, like crisp, rose-scented mountain apples (ʻōhiʻa ʻai) in summer and edible fern shoots (hōʻiʻo, also called warabi or pohole) that locals toss into fresh salads.
Clothing, Accessories, And More
Hilo Farmers Market is also a place to shop for colorful pareos (or sarongs) from Sarongs Hawai’i, jewelry, bath and body products, listen to live music, and sit for a tarot card reading. And for the ‘gram, a 30-foot-tall mural of tropical fruits painted by local artist Kristie Kosmides makes a nice shot.
Pro Travel Tip: For more Island of Hawai’i travel tips, check out our guide to more than 25 things to do in Big Island Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more fruits, veggies, and plants around Hilo, the Kino'ole Farmers Market happens on Saturday mornings.
On Friday evenings, Hilo Town Market (also known as Hilo Town Night Market) adds food trucks, crafts, live music, and art to the downtown mix. Or head here for the schedule for farmer's markets across the Island Of Hawai'i from Puna to Kona.
The Hilo Farmers Market is open daily from 7 AM to 3 PM. Wednesdays and Saturdays are considered "Big Market Days," when you'll see most of the 200-plus food and retail vendors and crafters.
Visitors seeking the Hilo Farmers Market will want to visit historic downtown Hilo. The market is on the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue, a 10-minute drive from Hilo International Airport (ITO). Parking is available at Mo'oheau Park or on the street.
More than 200 vendors sell tropical fruit and vegetables, flowers and plants, baked goods like butter mochi and kūlolo, local plate lunches and poke, and crafts, clothing, and jewelry.
Wednesdays and Saturdays are the market's "Big Market Days," when most of the 200-plus vendors turn out. It's open daily from 7 am to 3 pm the rest of the week, just with fewer stalls.
Yes. It's one of the largest and most beloved markets in Hawaii and a great low-cost way to eat local, especially if you're already exploring Hilo or Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
All About Kona Coffee
Talk about delicious food and drink from the Big Island; sooner or later, you’ll hear talk of Kona coffee. But what is Kona coffee, and why is it so famous? Get the full story before you travel to Hawai’i.
Have Us Plan Your Hawaiʻi Trip
Did you know we’re also a boutique travel agency specializing in Hawaiʻi vacation planning? If you want to plan a trip to Hawaiʻi, our Hawaii trip planner services can help you craft your perfect itinerary.
Photo Credit: produce photo by beeboys; photo of anthurium flowers by Jennifer Larsen Morrow; Hilo Farmers Market photo by Tommy Munoz on Unsplash
