We Went to the Kailua Farmers Market on Thursday Night on Oʻahu

Held on Thursday nights, the Kailua Farmers Market has been going on for 20 years. It’s a Thursday night institution. The first time I went was several years ago back when we used to see actors from the show “Lost,” wandering around buying bread and vegetables.

After many years away from the island, we moved back last summer. I was excited to get back to island life—and especially Kailua, where the small-town beach vibes are always friendly and the Thursday night market was the place to meet up with friends and neighbors.

 

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Right away I went with a new friend and her family. We first went swimming at the Kailua district pool then walked over for dinner at the market, which is located in the parking lot in nearby Kailua Town Center. It was a perfect evening with beautiful weather. The market is just one of the things that makes Kailua such a great little town. I ran into two of my new neighbors and their kids who would soon be in school with mine in the coming weeks.

Our kids danced to live music and bonded over sidewalk chalk drawings. These activities give parents a nice break to talk and enjoy dinner on picnic blankets and beach chairs.

The market is run by the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation, which manages four other Oʻahu markets, including the very popular KCC Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in Honolulu. (It has runs two on Kauaʻi and another on Hawaiʻi Island.) The vendors are vetted by the farm bureau to ensure what they’re selling is truly locally grown or sourced.

Some of the local produce you’ll find at the Kailua Farmers Market.
Photos: Jessica Hamilton

I try to get to the market once a month to enjoy the live music and keep up with friends and neighbors.

Some of my favorite vendors:

• Mochi Aulelei Hawaiʻi is one of the most popular vendors. If you want to snag some of their mochi, you have to come early. It sells out first thing and rarely have anything left by 6:30 p.m. Mochi Aulelei carries only three flavors—taro, ube and coconut—crispy and fried on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. It’s very unique and people love it.
• Little Sparrow serves up fresh, homemade German-style spaetzle tossed with your choice of toppings. I’ve had the veggie made with lemon spaetzle bursting with fresh off-the-vine roasted veggies and a homemade cheese blend. The O.G. Cheesy, its version of macaroni and cheese, is to die for with original spaetzle smothered in cheese sauce and the homemade cheese blend, guaranteed to make your eyes close with happiness.
• Fatto a Mano is another favorite with amazing sourdough pizza fired in-front of you. My favorite is the Toby made with pesto, kale, mozzarella, tomatoes and the best part, goat cheese and a truffled balsamic reduction.

 

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Farm vendors sell fresh local produce with friendly workers. I returned twice for two bags of fresh rambutan last week after the seller let us try it for the first time. Produce at the market tastes like it was picked the day of. Avocados, apple bananas, cilantro and garden tomatoes spill out onto the tables with reasonable prices.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The market is located at 609 Kailua Road in Kailua.
• Hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday only. At 7 p.m. on the dot, an alarm sounds, all sales stop abruptly, customers are shooed out and all the vendors pack up and leave.
• Bring cash, just in case. Most of the food stalls accept cards, though some farm stands only take cash.
• This market is only food, veggies, salsa, bread and baked goods, popcorn and lemonade. You won’t find crafts or artwork here.
• Make sure to bring a picnic blanket and or chairs to sit and eat while watching the bands; no chairs are provided.
• Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind sitting on the ground in; they might get dirty and colored with sidewalk chalk.
• Be prepared with an umbrella during rainy days. Half of the market is outdoors, the other half is under the parking garage.
• Parking is free and easy to find, you can park in the three-tier garage or the Whole Foods and Foodland parking lots next door.