Kapi’olani Community College Farmers Market
May 19th, 2010
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Looking for a delicious way to start your weekend? Visit the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market at Kapi’olani Community College. The market features a variety of Hawaiian grown and produced foods available only here. You will find the bustling market crowded with local shoppers and tourists alike. Here are 10 tips to make your visit more enjoyable:
1. Start early. At 7:30 a.m. you will hear an air horn blare and know the market has officially opened. The best selection is available first thing in the morning, and vendors often sell out at this popular market.
2. Take the bus. The small parking lot is packed early in the morning. The best bet is to take The Bus to the stop in front of the college. If you are a walker, enjoy a pleasant hike from Waikiki, uphill to the college and downhill on your return.
3. BYOB. Go green and bring your own reusable shopping bags or wheeled carts to carry your purchases home. Cloth bags are sturdier than plastic, while reducing trash and energy consumption.
4. Bring cash. Leave your charge cards and traveler’s checks at home. This is a green zone, cash only. Prices are not cheap.
5. Enjoy the variety. Just picked salad greens, ripe heirloom tomatos, sea vegetables, corn on the cob, Kona coffee, poke, fresh bread and kettle corn are just a few of the items to peruse. Select tropical orchids and exotic Bird of Paradise flowers to add rainbows of color to your home.
6. Taste something new. Many vendors offer samples so you can become familiar with new items. Be open to trying different foods and products, and you may find a new favorite dish. Sweet honey, fresh lavender, pesto pizza, and tangy seaweed salads will tempt your senses.
7. Ask questions. If you have a question or are curious, just ask. Many of the companies represented are small family owned businesses. The owners are proud of their products and delight in telling you about their goods.
8. Come hungry. While you sample goodies, save room for some hearty fare. Cosmopolitan cooked to order snacks and meals will tempt your senses. Egyptian curried tofu, Portuguese sausage and eggs, Spam and rice loco moco plates flavors waft through the aisles. Be sure to check out the bakery goods.
9. Sit tight. A lone picnic table is available for dining on a first come basis. If you are lucky to get a spot, be prepared to share the community table with others. Take this opportunity to meet residents and tourists alike at the table and learn about neighborhood gems only locals know about.
10. People watch. The crowd is as diverse as the products at the market. Just listen, and you will hear a cornucopia of languages spoken by your fellow shoppers. Bus loads of Japanese and other tourists unload curious shoppers. People watching is as interesting as shopping at this market.
Watch as we tour the Kapi’olani Community College Farmer’s Market
Kapi’olani Community College Farmers Market
Photo Credit: (_e.t) / CC BY-SA 2.0
The Kapi’olani Community College Farmer’s Market is a year round Saturday morning treat. Get out early for the best choice of locally produced foods, flowers and products. Stock up and you will be able to enjoy the fresh flavors throughout the week.
Kapiolani Community College Saturday Farmer’s Market
Parking Lot C (Off of Diamond Head Road)
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816-4421 
Map
Every Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
http://kapiolani.hawaii.edu/object/farmersmarket.html
About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.
Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
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CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com
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Posted May 24th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I went to the KCC farmer’s market recently on a trip back home. I love this market. It feels like the Hawai’i I remember from when I was a kid. My biggest regret is that I couldn’t take home the beautiful orchids, ti, and other plants that I saw.
The farmer’s market, my time on Lanikai Beach, and seeing Waipuna live were the highlights of my visit.
Don’t forget to take a big shoulder bag with you to hold all your goodies!
Posted May 30th, 2010 at 5:19 am
Karina,
I enjoy walking by plants and cut flower selections. Orchards, birds of paradise and lush greenery in rainbows of color.
Bring your own bag is not only better for the environment, they are more comfortable to carry.