Hawai'i Island has farmers markets on every side of the island. I currently reside on the Eastern side of the Island close to where the lava is flowing into the ocean. As a vegan activist I love going out with my camera to meet new vendors and jot down their information so that I can enter it in a database for future VegFests. I have friends that want to put one on and I will gladly assist them and share my google sheet with them.

I must add, showing up at a farmer's market with a big camera will get you lots of free samples and even full meals for the exchange of your service as a portrait artist.

Sundays

Starting our week on Sunday you can attend the largest farmers market on the island called the Maku'u Farmers Market.

Every Sunday, the Maku‘u Farmers’ Association (MFA) opens their gates and hosts hundreds of residents and visitors at the infamous Maku‘u Farmers’ Market (MFM). Maku‘u Farmers’ Market operates a successful farmers market providing over 150 local merchants and artisans with opportunities to market their products and services in a fun, friendly, and clean environment. in addition to produce and food, a wide variety of new and recycled products including crafts, plants, jewelry, clothing, books, and records/cds are sold. the Farmers’ Market typically has live music and entertainment which adds to the ambiance of the market. in many ways, the Maku‘u Farmers’ Market has become the “thing to do,” the “place to be” on Sunday morning. on average, the market hosts approximately 1,500 people when we open their gates.
From MFM's facebook page

I love running into Britt and Hanale who hand out free samples for their business Makaukau Ai Kakou of their traditional Hawaiian plant pure treats. Hanale is quite the advocate for healthy homemade foods and Hawaiian sovereignty.

Britt and Hanale from Makaukau Ai Kakou
Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

Wednesdays

Uncle Roberts Awa Bar opens for the Night Market on Wednesday attracts 700-800 people. If you arrive early the band sings in Hawaiian with occasional hula dancers and later in the evening switches to hit songs in english to get everyone on the dance floor. Warning, these classic songs played by the band will get stuck in your head.

Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

If you don't arrive early enough at this night market you'll have to stand in line where Sean and Ashley scoop Nicoco's all vegan Hawaiian Gelato into their freshly hand crafted cones, which come in either regular or chocolate, or you can have them swirl both of them together. They come up with a mind blowing assortment of different flavors of gelato and they sell out every week!

Sean and Ashley of Nicoco Hawaiian Gelato
Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

You'll run into familiar faces at the night market handing out free samples of kalo, kulolo, kulolo-mochi, kulolo popsicles yet again!

Britt and Hanale from Makaukau Ai Kakou
Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

Wednesdays & Saturdays in Hilo

Across from Hilo's bus terminal is a farmers market that is open every day but on Wednesdays and Saturdays you'll find the most amount of vendors. Here you'll meet Jai from Gauranga Live whom also hosts free vegan dinners for the community.

Jai from Gauranga Live
Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

He creates ginger tumerick coconut drinks along with fermented vegetables that don't need sugar or salt due to the sugar in the beets he uses and the salt in kale.

Gauranga Live
Photo © Dynamic Eye Studios

There are so many more vendors worth showcasing but I'd rather introduce them to you in person so come and pay me a visit on Hawai'i Island. Perhaps I'll do a part two of Faces of the Farmers Markets on Hawai'i Island.