The KCC Farmers’ Market is the most famous and largest morning market in Hawaii.
Not only can you buy Hawaiian vegetables and fruits, but there are also many stalls popular with tourists, selling unique local products, miscellaneous goods, and souvenirs you can only find here!
Ingredients and seasonings for daily meals are also popular with the locals.
It’s held once a week on Saturday mornings (7:30 AM to 11:00 AM).
There’s also a Tuesday evening farmers’ market, but it’s much smaller with only about 10 tents, so we highly recommend the Saturday morning one!
Located at the foot of Diamond Head, a popular itinerary for tourists is to hike the trail in the cool morning hours and then head straight to the farmers’ market for breakfast.
Top 5 Recommended Foods at KCC Farmers’ Market
There are about 80 vendors registered at the KCC Farmers’ Market.
You can enjoy seeing different stalls each time, from farmers who only occasionally set up shop to popular food vendors with constant lines.
This time, we’ll introduce five “must-visit” stalls from the market. We hope you find it helpful!
Big Island Abalone
Big Island Abalone is arguably the most iconic stall at the KCC Farmers’ Market.
Here, you can eat grilled Ezo Abalone from Kona on the Big Island right here on Oahu!
Freshly grilled abalone is quite a rare treat, so there’s always a line.
The abalone, raised with deep ocean water and patented seaweed, is a specialty product so renowned that it’s sought after by chefs from famous restaurants.
It comes in three flavors: Plain, Garlic Butter, and Miso Garlic.
Most people eat it fresh off the grill right in front of the stall, but they also sell vacuum-packed abalone for takeout, so you can bring it home for a barbecue.
They tend to sell out relatively early, so be sure to get there ahead of time.
Kukui Sausage
Kukui Sausage is famous for being what some call the most delicious sausage in Hawaii.
Their thick, gluten-free sausages made with Hawaiian ingredients are a big hit, and this stall always has a line too!
I personally make sure to eat here every time I visit. lol
By the way, you can choose to have your sausage in a hot dog bun or on a stick.
They offer a variety of flavors, with about 8 to 10 different types always on the menu.
Among them, the most popular is the hearty “King Kong” hot dog.
Its mild yet juicy flavor is guaranteed to get you hooked!
Pacifikool
When it comes to the best drink at the KCC Farmers’ Market, it has to be their Island Ginger Ale.
This is a fresh ginger ale made with squeezed raw ginger from the Big Island.
It has a refreshing taste, with a perfect balance of sweetness and a strong ginger flavor.
To be honest, it’s a drink that people either love or hate. lol
It’s not quite like a typical ginger ale; it’s more like a healthy beverage.
If you want something more like juice, I’d recommend getting one with added fruit.
The most popular choice is the classic Island Ginger Ale, but my personal recommendation is the Mango Ginger Ale, topped with mango!
The Pig and the Lady
This is a very famous Vietnamese restaurant in Hawaii!
It has won the grand prize for Vietnamese restaurants in Hawaii.
They serve creative Vietnamese cuisine, so the extensive menu can make it hard to choose.
The two most popular menu items are their Pho and Banh Mi!
Pho is very popular in Hawaii, but there aren’t many places that serve it in easily accessible tourist areas, so it’s great that you can get it at the KCC Farmers’ Market.
The classic Chicken Pho or Beef Pho are highly recommended.
Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich, and it’s a flavor that many people enjoy!
However, it can be a nightmare for those who dislike cilantro, so be sure to check the sample photos carefully before ordering. lol
Honolulu Burger Company
Even if you’re thinking, “Why get a hamburger at a morning market?” I still urge you to give this place a try!
The reason is, although it’s a burger joint, what I really want to recommend is their “Loco Moco.”
A traditional loco moco is often a simple, old-fashioned comfort food and not necessarily a gourmet dish, but the loco moco here is truly delicious!
Hawaii-grown beef from a fantastic burger shop, grilled barbecue-style under the open sky.
For a great loco moco, the quality of the meat is definitely key.
The KCC Cactus Garden is a Great Photo Spot
Near the parking lot, there’s a cactus garden that serves as a perfect photo spot.
By the way, KCC stands for Kapiolani Community College, which is part of the University of Hawaii system.
The farmers’ market is held in the college’s parking lot!
Since it’s an open campus, feel free to explore the grounds if you’re interested.
Walking around the campus is surprisingly enjoyable, so you might want to take a commemorative photo and then go for a stroll!
KCC Farmers’ Market General Information
| Name | Farmers’ Market at KCC |
| Address | Parking Lot C, 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Closed | Sunday to Friday |
| Restrooms | None on-site (public restrooms nearby) |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| URL | Official Website |
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