Hanelei Farmer’s Market

Kopa Kauai is the best ever, as is Leahlani Skincare and her husband’s jewelry are amazing. I would come to the market and go buy their things all the time when I was a local. I love the burritos too. Watch out for flying tents and roosters!!! Love the yodeling

Great fun! The farmers produce is good and plentiful. The local artists are amazing. This is the way to buy your produce for the week. Watching some of the artists work is amazing too. My only suggestion: Make the hours longer! There is so much to see and do, longer hours would be of benefit, and I believe there would be more growers and artist participation.

Highly recommended farmers market with very reasonable prices for locally grown jewel tone tropical fruits, fresh coconut, flowers, and some veggies. There is also live music and local craft vendors and some food. It is small but worth going if you like going to farmers markets.

Closed at noon sharp. Great little farmer’s market with live entertainment.

It’s expensive, but you know it is truly local. Some of the pineapples and local limes are the best we’ve had. The cocktails that follow are a treat…
Also look for greens in season and the local goat cheese– makes for a great salad.
It’s a zoo even before official opening time. Get there a bit early…

Worst farmers market ever! Will not be returning!!! I went today to the farmers market with my pup like I always do. I walk in and immediately someone comes up to me and asks if she’s a service dog. And she is. They asked for papers. WHICH IS ILLEGAL!!! And I didn’t have them on me today. So they told me to go put her in the car. Seriously after all the horrible stories about dogs being locked in the car and dying. They wanted me to put her in there. No! Never again. Don’t waste your time on this rude place. Been to every other farmers market on the island never had a problem with having her.

A nice little farmer’s market with plenty of fresh and great tasting produce. Definitely get some apple-​bananas. There’s also a few small shops selling soaps, carvings, paintings, juices, and clothing. They’re very strict about the 930 opening time, but it is well worth waiting for and even though everyone goes in at once, lines aren’t bad. All the vendors were very nice.

I’m a big fan of farmer’s markets, especially when I travel, because they support the local community at it’s most basic level, and they’re a great way to feel a connection with local people. I’ve been to a quite a few markets over the years whenever I visit Hawaii, particularly Kauai, and I recently visited the Hanalei FM for the first time. As a visitor, you have to come with an open mind and a chill attitude because this is not like your farmer’s market back home, but rather this is a small community on a small island in the middle of a vast ocean; leave your rude behavior and your rush-​rush mentality in the suitcase back at the hotel. Often these island markets require parking a distance away (about a block or two or more) and are often not as bustling as what you experience at your FM in your own community.
As far as Kauai farmer’s markets go, this is fairly typical in size (mid-​size), but the variety is pretty good, and maybe better than most. There are a few vendors selling Niihau pieces, there are various other local crafters of decent quality, soaps, at least one local high-​end jeweler worth consideration, live music, some food («grinds»), and a smattering of produce vendors. Yes, produce prices may be higher than what you’ll find at the local grocery store, and yes, everything on the island is expensive, but this produce is locally grown and this is why you came here. When I go to these markets, they seem mostly frequented by tourists, like myself, and this one was no exception.
You need to leave your fancy leather sandals at the hotel, and wear your beach flip-​flops («slippers») because on this April day, Hanalei was pretty much drenched in rain typical of this end of the island, and I had to walk across a muddy field about 300 feet from where I parked the car. Also, bring an umbrella, because we’re talking torrential rain, not unlike the scene from the movie, Romancing The Stone, where Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas slide down the side of a mountain through mud. While in Hanalei, and in between torrents of rain, you’ll get to see distant waterfalls on the sides of the mountains, and imagine seeing Kathleen and Michael sliding on their backsides through the mud.
All in all, if you happen to be at the north side of Kauai, or like me, you just want to go another farmer’s market and drive 1.5 hours from the south side, past some breathtaking scenery on the way, then this might be the ticket for you. For me, it was entirely worth the drive, made for a pleasant memory, despite getting absolutely drenched (hey, rain happens in Hawaii), and I have a lovely well-​crafted souvenir from it to remember it by.

Horrible horrible horrible people run this market. I came with a group of three women, we spent a pretty penny on some beautiful bracelets and other treats but apparently getting our coconuts cut open to eat the tasty meat was just too much for the director and another vendor to handle. Heaven forbid a customer take up another moment of their precious time to leave happy. Instead an old crusty white guy decided to shove up against me and tell me how much I was wasting his time. So… Better get out of their at exactly noon when they all want to leave or risk getting physically accosted. As a person from the islands I know how important it is that we treat guests with respect and humor. They pay most of our bills. Judging from others I talked to about this, their rude, judgmental, hostility and all around crappy customer service is nothing new. I’ll gladly tell everyone I know to avoid this market next time they visit. Hope you’re all happy about being such sucky people.

I have been living on Kauai for almost 30 years. Kinda dissapointed today. the prices for banana’s and avo’s are sky high. I cant believe someone at a farmers market would want $ 6.00 for a medium sized avocado and $ 8.00 for a bunch of bananas with maybe 7 to 8 small to medium banana’s on them each.
I definitely will not fight the crowd on this market. also there are so many vendors there selling items other than FARMERS market things.

Saturday morning… can’t beat it! The fruits and veggies are amazing. There are other vendors selling jewelry and other island made goods. Next time we will hold off on breakfast and get one of the amazing looking burritos. Oh and be sure to get the coconut– cut open right in front of you!

For two years we have shopped this market, now Waipa Farmer’s Market. There is also a taro (potato) festival once a year that we have happened upon each time with Hawaiian music and hula dancers. We thought this was it until we stumbled upon farmer’s market in Kilawaia on Saturday. Boy, were we buffaloed when Hanalei Farmer’s Market informed us that «they were by far the best.» Believe me – go to Kilauaia instead. These folks, some of them sell their produce at both, have the greenest, freshest, most awesome greens! The selection is bigger and better.
We met some pretty rude employees of this farm on the beach. Their properties are unmarked and they try to trap people by setting up portable toilets. Be careful not to use them! A troll will jump out of his vehicle and harass you if you are hard up to take a digger.

The whole place smells like cow dung. Probably because of the plantation next door. The same selection of fresh produce as at any other local market/​fruit stand on the island. You have to try the product before buying, though.
Tip: We arrived 30 minutes prior to closing, not a lot of customers left and people are driven to sell. So, you get better deals.

When in Kauai, do as the locals do. This farmers market was quite nice, the stand out produce were the arugula leaves, radishes, pineapple, papaya, and kale.
We arrived early about 30 minutes before opening, but that doesn’t seem to make much difference as folks arriving later cut to the front of the line… well there is no line really. So about 5, 10 minutes before they let people in, expect about a 100 people to gather around the entrance. This was right before New Years, probably peak tourist season.

I love farmer’s markets because I’m supporting local merchants by purchasing their items, but unfortunately most of the items here were so expensive. I don’t have $ 90 cash to spend on jewelry, as beautiful/​handmade as it is.
This market is only open on Saturdays, and sells fruit, some food, jewelry, soap, and body butter. I was looking for more craftwork since my friend wanted to buy a ukelele for her daughter, but we didn’t see anything like that here. I did end up purchasing body butter from LeahLani Skin care (the hanalei breeze and kauai orchid smell the best) to bring home as gifts. If the body butter is too expensive, you can check out the soap line called Kopa Kauai soaps, since the owner of the soap line is LeahLani’s mom! Fruit here was also good: got 5 starfruits for $ 1, a bag of rambutan for $ 3, and a papaya for $ 1.50.
There weren’t too many food selections, so we ended up trying food from an Indonesian vendor. It was pretty darn good!

Boy, do I miss this Market!
I think it’s my most favorite Farmer’s Market I have been to.
The day the hub and I went, it poured buckets just before opening … and we were there maybe 30 – 40 min prior to opening to get a feel for the market opening (heard there can be huge lines).
There was a good number of locals waiting in the rain under umbrellas or under some overhand nearby.
A young woman was walking around with a clipboard, and I understood her as the coordinator. And around, 9:30 am I think, she gives the OK to enter the market. I was entertained with the people rushing in … some running and some fast walking.
When I turned to my hub laughing about the running, some people overheard in embarrassment and slowed down. I felt bad, but I couldn’t hold my laugh as some close friends know :)
The hot item that day that sold out quick in minutes was the red leaf lettuce and the lemons … who would have thought! The hub had fun walking around observing the sights and sounds and what was on high demand.
Meanwhile, I was very interested in the local artisans … and wow! So many talented artists!
I wanted to purchase everything in sight along with the papayas and guavas and coconuts and mangos. Non-​produce wise, there was a lot of jewelry, accessories, beauty lotions, etc. There were a few food stands, and I hear that the Thai place is to die for, but we came with a full belly after a nice breakfast at a nearby place.
The hub got a nice handmade hat that we forever will cherish as pc of HI :)
Well made and durable. I wore it a couple times … when he let me: D
I enjoyed watching the pregnant lady working off the back of the pickup truck filled with coconuts … selling fresh coconut drinks! Intrigued, but we held off. Next time… right? lol
I guess the sales from the farmer’s market that sell here weekly on the Saturday mornings make up about 25% of their monthly, which is huge!
I believe they were closed at one point for some permit issue, but that got resolved within short time. Whew!
Hanalei Farmer’s Market really is part of the Hanalei community heart!

Akamai Juice is to die for, as is Sal’s Salsa. The chocolate & coconut covered frozen bananas from Kauai Kunana Dairy are also excellent.
There are usually some food vendors (Thai & others) for a quick lunch and the assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables are in abundance.
This is a fantastic and one of my favorite Sunshine Markets. Enjoy!

A great place against a gorgeous backdrop to buy some local fruits and vegetables, or just to pick up some fresh juice straight out of the coconut. Stop by if you’re in the area and support the farmers, but I wouldn’t classify this as a «must see» for tourists. Maybe I’m spoiled by the farmer’s markets in California, but I was expecting a lot more food and crafts vendors.

This was a great Farmers Market, and I am not usually a big Farmers Market kind of guy. It was bigger than I thought it would be, the colors and smells alone make it worth the visit. Almost every vendor will allow you to sample anything prior to purchase, this is important since you may have never seen some of the things they are selling. We love the way Rambutan looks and always buy some even though the fruit alone is OK and a lot of work to get.
Kauai is big on supporting local Farmers and Business, the Farmers Market is a direct reflection of that. Everything is well priced and local, if you are there buy something colorful and taste something new, you won’t regret it.

I liked this place. A lot of the stands give out free samples and the fruit variety is pretty good (it’s probably the main focus of this market). The vegetable selection isn’t as diverse so I wasn’t impressed. This place also has a section for crafts where people sell jewelry, art, and apparel.
Random Tips:
The starfruit is very good value: large and relatively cheap
There are two places with coconuts; one sells coconuts in a cooler, and one sells coconuts out of the back of the truck. The one in the cooler is cheaper.