Why we love the Maku’u Farmers Market in Pahoa & other local markets in Puna
Sundays are the farmers market days at Maku’u Market which I visit on occasion for a nice meal or some plants and just enjoying the market. Maku’u Market is the largest market happening in the Puna district of the Big Island.
Having lived in the Puna District for 8 of my 15+ years in Hawaii, I’ve been a regular at Maku’u Market since 2010.
Maku’u market is a close drive from Pahoa and is a great place to buy some fresh produce, in season tropical fruits, and locally made baked goods and other treats in the area from local crafters, food vendors to many tropical plants venues. 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, parking and entrance is now $2 per car for parking.
What to see and buy at Maku’u Market?
I love visiting local markets and Maku’u Market in Pahoa is one of the best in East Hawaii, offering an authentic glimpse into local culture and cuisine.
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.
Seasonal Highlights: Spring (March-May): Lychee, mangoes, avocados | Summer (June-August): Pineapples, dragon fruit | Fall (September-November): Apple bananas, breadfruit | Winter (December-February): Citrus, star fruit.
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.
Tip – My favorite Sunday ritual is starting at the Thai food stand for their $6 pad thai before visiting the orchid vendors in the northeast corner of the market.
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 farmers markets in the Puna district 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,
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.
There are also a few new mom and pop eateries selling Mexican, Thai, Coffees and local style barbeque all along the main highway 130 going toward Pahoa, so keep a lookout if you’re looking for take out service or eating there.
These markets are open daily along the highway towards Pahoa town.
More details to visiting Maku’u Market
Hours
The market operates every Sunday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Cost
There’s a $2 per car parking fee, which covers both entry and parking.
Parking
Parking is on a gravel lot and can feel a bit unstructured, especially during busy hours. It’s best to arrive early to secure a convenient spot. citeturn0search6
Location
The market is located along the Keaʻau–Pāhoa Highway (Hwy 130), about 8 miles from Keaʻau and 3.8 miles from Pāhoa. Look for the gravel driveway near the propane tank station.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for gravel surfaces.
- Weather can change quickly, so bringing a rain jacket is a good idea.
- Pets are not allowed on the premises.
Restrooms are open during market time
Check out for information and visit to Maku’u market website here for more details
No pets allowed on site please.
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.
Author Bio – Noel Morata
Noel Morata is a freelance photographer/journalist and travel and lifestyle blogger. Having lived in Hawaii for over 15 years, I’ve explored all the historic and cultural sites, tried delicious traditional food, fusion and local style dishes and learned a lot about growing and sustainability.
Hawaii for me is ever changing and I visit many of these places regularly for inspiration, changes that may occur, seasonality and cultural practises. I hope to share with you all the fascinating things and places I’ve learned grown appreciation for and hope that you will find the information helpful to visiting the islands.
I love visiting local markets and Maku’u Market in Pahoa is one of the best in East Hawaii
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