Why we love the Maku’u Farmers Market in Pahoa & other local markets in Puna(updated 2023)

Sundays are the farmers market days at Maku’u Market which is the largest market happening in the Puna district. There are many other local markets also in the Puna district that are detailed below that you can visit depending on the days you are available. A close drive from Pahoa area going back towards Keaau, the Maku’u market is busy and a great place to by some fresh produce and locally made baked goods and other treats in the area from local crafters and vendors. It’s also a great place to eat cheap in Hawaii when you are on a budget or looking for free things to do on the island.

How to get to Maku’u Market

From Pahoa town go back down Hwy 130 towards Keaau and the market is about 3.8 miles west and located on the left hand side. From Keaau travel down Hwy 130 towards Pahoa and the market is about 8 miles east before Pahoa town and located on the left side of the highway with turnout exits. The Drive from Hilo is about 16.7 miles on Hwy 11 to the intersection at Hwy 130. When you turn into the market, drive towards the parking lot and parking and entrance is now $2 per car for parking.

What to see and buy at Maku’u Market?

This is a standard farmers market with a variety of fresh produce, banana bread and tropical inspired baked goods, snack foods, take-out prepared foods like popular Spam musubi sandwiches. A different section of the markets features a host of local crafters, artisans and other specialty products and souvenirs you can purchase direct from the source.

The market is broken down into sections with a prepared foods, drinks and snacks zone, an area for fresh fruits and vegetables, another section for plants and tropical flowers for sale. Towards the middle is a section for hand made crafts, cheap souvenirs and other local goods and on the perimeter is more used and swap meet type vendors selling antiques, collectibles and used goods.

Typical things to find at the Makuu Market

There will be lots of tropical fruit and vegetable vendors selling variety of in season produce like avocados, fresh fruit like pineapples, lychees, lilikoi and mangoes and bananas and other tropical fruits. For veggies there’s locally grown breadfruit, fresh tomatoes, sweet potatoes local beans and tropical greens.

Prepared foods at Maku’u market

There is a food section at Maku’u market that sells some delicious take out and popular foods of Hawaii, comfort foods and yummy Hawaiian desserts along with traditional Hawaiian foods. It’s an international selection of wonderful Filipino, Thai, Mexican, French crepes and so many other delicious ethnic foods to try while you visit the market.

More information about visiting Maku’u Market

Market days are on Sunday from 8am to 2pm

There is a $2 parking entry fee to visit the market

Check out for information and visit to Maku’u market website here for more details

No pets allowed on site please.

Check out this video tour of Maku’u Market (Pre Covid time frame) so a little bigger and more normal which hopefully we will go back to soon.

This video is a quick video from above with no sound but still fun to look at the market

Visit these local Markets around the Puna district

Most of these other farmers markets are relatively small, some operate daily and others just one day weekly.

Pahoa Community Market

About 20 vendors sell at the farmers market in the community park area above the skate park and selling a variety of plants and flowers,  sundry items and a variety of household and personal effects.

The market is open on Sundays from 7am to 12 noon

Keaau Farmers Market

A small and daily farmers market that is located In Keaau behind the MacDonalds and the Shell gas station. Vendors selling mostly fruits and vegetable vendors and some plants and flowers, a variety of baked goods and local snacks.

Market is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Address at 16-573 Old Volcano Road, Keaau, HI

Market at the Mill

A farmers market is held every Saturday in the Mountain View area at the Hilo Coffee Mill Farm – At the market you can find locally baked goods and specialty food products, take out foods and mixed plate specials, tropical plants, flowers and fruits and vegetables from local vendors. The market strives to promote locally made products and foods,  take out meals and delicious baked goods.

Hours between 9 and 2pm. Address: 17-995 Volcano Road between Mile Marker 12 and 13

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center

This market is very early on Saturdays from 6am to 10 am and sells a variety foods and produce, meat and other locally grown or produced products including:

• baked goods, coffees, jams, candies
• Crafts, arts and gift souvenirs
• Flowers and plants
• Breakfast and hot items

Address at 19-4030 Wright Rd

Check their website here

Roadside stands towards Pahoa Area

You’ll find variety of small roadside stand vendors along the way to Pahoa area. These vendors sell a variety of fruits and vegetables and some tropical plants and orchids.

You can stop by for daily needs and seeing what is fresh and in season daily in between the larger market days of the other farmers markets in the area.

These markets are open daily along the highway towards Pahoa town.

More details to visiting Maku’u Market

Parking is still $2 per car entry/parking

At this writing, masks are still required to be worn throughout the market area

Prepared food, snacks and other take out food is all take out, there is no eating allowed at this time.

Restrooms are open during market time

Hours are on Sundays from 7am to 12pm

Visiting Pahoa? Check out these other places to explore

An entire guide to visiting the Puna District of Hawaii

Explore the new Kapoho black sand beach with no name

Check out the cool lava mold formations and botanical garden at Lava Tree State Park

Visit the colorful and Hawaiian folk inspired Painted Church in Kalapana

Or visit downtown Pahoa area attractions here

Explore MacKenzie State park and enjoy the cliffside views, ironwood groves, lava tubes and spiritual presence in the area.

Visit the new black sand beach and hot ponds at Pohoiki Beach on the Red Road

Red Road Hawaii – Kalapana Kapoho road – This Hawaii Life

Have you been to Maku’u Farmers Market?

Please share your thoughts and other recommendations in the comments below with your recommendations.

Thanks for visiting today and checking out this post on Maku’u Farmers Market. I hope you are inspired to plan a visit and enjoy these wonderful attractions. If you enjoyed the images and post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons located around the post.