Kaka’ako Makai Community Cultural Marketplace

Only because it wasn’t there. Perhaps the market was canceled today (August 3, 2012.) The schedule says the market is open on Fridays — just not this Friday. Perhaps I’ll try a Saturday.

We came here only because I saw an article on Nonstophonolulu’s website about how some of the food trucks were coming to this evening’s farmer’s market in Kakaako. My hubby doesn’t have the opportunity to check out the food trucks during the week so this was a good opportunity for him to try one.
It’s a pretty small market, with minimal offerings. If I can recall, I saw one vendor selling drinks, one that sold macadamia nut rice cakes, one may have been selling some product/​fruit, and that’s about it. The «Friday regulars» listed on their website were definitely nowhere to be found.
The food trucks that were there were Camille’s, Da Ala Cart, Koi, All Kine, Tiki’s, Infernos and Puffettes. I couldn’t imagine what this market would be like if the food trucks weren’t here.
There was a tent with a few tables and chairs for people to sit, and while we were eating, we watched a video on the controversial telescopes on the top of Mauna Kea. The video was actually pretty educational — I haven’t seen a video like that since high school (that just means I watch too much non-​educational cr** on TV).
I liked the atmosphere, there is plenty of parking, but that’s about it. For a person like me who likes can do without the crowds, it’s the perfect venue for a relaxing dinner on a Fri night.

This review is for Saturday, August 13^th: We got there at 915am and it was a very slow scene… Only 1 produce vendor selling meager amounts of produce. AND expensive produce! A bunch of apple bananas cost $ 5, and 18 eggs cost $ 9.75 ($ 9 if you bring your own egg carton!). WHAT? I can go to the Wailua Farmer’s Market on Saturdays for HALF that and get WAY MORE PRODUCE! I’m sorry to say, this market better get more vendors or this won’t last! I think I’ll make the drive out of town to the North Shore, shop, and relax on the beach there! A waste of my time… and I was so excited that it was in biking distance from my apt! :)

2 stars.
Pretty weak offering. Curious what I would find, but very disappointed in the limited vendors and selection. Ended up purchasing a few produce items and some liliko’i pineapple scones.
There was a tent with live Hawaiian music and the vibe was welcoming and chill. Hardly anyone there at 10 am. Market goes until 2 pm.
Underwhelming at the time of this writing. But looking forward to returning in a few months to see if things get revamped for the better.

First off I think this needs to be renamed. I don’t think there’s anyway tourist are ever going to be able to get there with a name like that. I feel something much more simple like «Kakaako waterfront market» would be as long as I would go. The signage is poor, the name too long and not easy to find. Friday nights you can see the Hilton fireworks from there and theres lots of parking.
This market has potential but needs work.