Big Island's 11 Best Farmers Markets to Visit This March

Ever tasted fresh lilikoi while slack-key guitar drifts through the palms? March on Hawaiʻi Island feels like that: cool mauka mornings, whales still cruising offshore, and stalls overflowing with color. From Hilo's sprawling Wednesday-and-Saturday institution to a quiet Sunday market tucked into the Hāmākua Coast, the Big Island's farmers markets are where the island's agricultural soul shows up most vividly. Here are the 11 best to visit this month.

1. Hilo Farmers Market

The largest and most popular farmers market on the Big Island, the Hilo Farmers Market at 69 Waianuenue Ave. draws over 200 vendors on market days, selling everything from fresh tropical produce to locally made crafts. March is a particularly rewarding time to visit, with citrus, avocado, lilikoi, ʻulu, kalo, and upland strawberries all in play. The sheer scale of the market means you can spend a full morning working through the stalls without retracing your steps.

2. Friday Night Market at the Hilo Town Market

Also anchored at 69 Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo, the Friday Night Market at the Hilo Town Market offers a distinct after-dark energy that sets it apart from the island's morning-focused markets. The evening timing makes it an accessible stop for visitors and residents who spend their days exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or the Hamakua Coast. It's the same central Hilo address, but a completely different atmosphere once the sun drops behind Mauna Kea.

3. Waimea Town Market

Set in the cool upcountry air of Kamuela at 65-1224 Lindsey Rd., the Waimea Town Market is a staple of the Kohala district's community life. Waimea's elevation means March mornings here are genuinely brisk, so those light layers from your packing list will earn their keep. The market draws on the surrounding ranch and farm country, making it one of the better spots on the island for grass-fed beef, upland greens, and heritage vegetables.

4. Kamuela Farmers Market

Located at 67-139 Pukalani Rd. in the Kohala district, the Kamuela Farmers Market shares its address corridor with the Pukalani Midweek Market but operates as its own distinct event. The Kamuela name reflects the Hawaiian rendering of "Samuel," the same place known in English as Waimea, and the market carries that dual identity: part ranching town, part culinary destination. Look for locally grown tomatoes and herbs that thrive in Waimea's rich volcanic soil.

5. Pukalani Midweek Market

For those who can't make a weekend trip work, the Pukalani Midweek Market at 67-139 Pukalani Rd. in Waimea offers a midweek alternative in the heart of Kohala. The midweek timing draws a strong local crowd rather than a tourist-heavy one, which often means fresher vendor relationships and less competition for the best produce. It's a practical and unhurried way to stock up on provisions if you're staying in the upcountry area.

6. Waikoloa Community Market

Every first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon, the Waikoloa Community Market brings together vendors offering fresh produce, plants, eggs, fish, bakery items, artisan prepared foods, creative artwork, jewelry, crafts, and live music. March's first Saturday falls early in the month, making it a strong opening-weekend option for anyone based along the Kohala Coast. The breadth of offerings, from edible goods to handmade art, makes it as much a cultural outing as a grocery run.

7. The Queens' Culinary Market

Situated at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr. in Waikoloa on the Kona side of the island, The Queens' Culinary Market leans into the resort corridor's food culture with a curated vendor mix. Its location near the Waikoloa Beach Resort makes it convenient for visitors staying on the Kohala Coast who want to connect with local producers without driving far. The culinary focus means prepared foods and artisan products tend to take center stage alongside fresh produce.

8. Kings' Shops Farmers Market

Also anchored at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Kings' Shops Farmers Market operates as a counterpart to the Queens' market within the same resort complex. The Kings' Shops setting gives it a polished, walkable environment that suits families browsing between hotel visits and beach days. Both the Kings' and Queens' markets together make the Waikoloa resort area one of the more market-dense stretches of the island's west coast.

9. Makuʻu Farmers Market

Open every Sunday at ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua in Pahoa, the Makuʻu Farmers Market is one of the Big Island's most beloved weekly gatherings in the Puna district. The market has a longstanding, community-driven character, drawing vendors and shoppers from across lower Puna and beyond. Its Sunday rhythm makes it a natural anchor for a weekend road trip down Highway 130, with the market itself sitting within reach of Lava Tree State Monument and the Puna coastline.

10. Under the Banyan's Farmers Market (Hawi)

Named for the iconic banyan tree that shades the old plantation town of Hawi at the island's northern tip, Under the Banyan's Farmers' Market is one of the most scenically situated markets on the Big Island. Hawi's artistic, small-town character gives the market a distinct personality: expect local art, handmade goods, and produce grown on the verdant North Kohala slopes. The drive up Highway 270 through the Kohala Coast to reach it is a reward in itself.

11. Hāmākua Harvest Sunday Farmers Market

The Sunday Farmers' Market at Hāmākua Harvest operates on a strict local-only sourcing policy, offering exclusively locally produced goods alongside ono food, live music, and a free educational event every week. SNAP/EBT is welcome, making it one of the most accessible markets on the island for all households. As one description of the market puts it: "Drink a coconut, buy a t-shirt and experience the warm hospitality of Hamakua." For anyone driving the Hāmākua Heritage Corridor between Hilo and Honokaa, this Sunday market is an essential stop.

What to bring: Pack light layers, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and comfy walking shoes. Toss in a compact umbrella, hand wipes, and extra totes for surprise finds.

On payment: Bring cash. Many vendors accept cards or tap-to-pay, but cell service can be spotty and minimums apply.

What's in season: Expect citrus, avocado, rambutan (tail end), lilikoi, ʻulu, kalo, greens, herbs, tomatoes, and upland strawberries.

Bringing keiki: Absolutely fine at most markets. The majority are family-friendly with open space, music, and kid-approved snacks. Keep little ones close near hot food stalls.

One additional note worth flagging: Kekela Farm operates what is specifically described as a "farm market," not a "farmers market," meaning shoppers buy directly from a single provider, the Kekela Farm, rather than from a curated mix of vendors. It's a different model from the community markets above, but a worthwhile detour for anyone seeking farm-fresh produce from a single trusted source.

March is arguably the sweetest month to work through this list. The harvest is deep, the weather is cooperative, and the island's agricultural community is out in full force. Every market here connects you directly to the growers, makers, and neighbors who keep Big Island food culture rooted in the land.