The KCC Farmers Market attracts visitors and tourists from all around the island. (Photo by Bowen Wang)

By Bowen Wang | Staff Writer

Every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., the KCC Farmers Market opens for business. Having run for just over 22 years now and being one of the first farmers markets on the island has cemented itself as both a local and tourist favorite. With the market containing over 60 vendors according to their website, it has won the best of Hawai’i on Island News as well as the viewer’s choice award for the consecutive years of 2020 and 2021. If you’re looking for something to explore near campus, the farmers market is a must visit.

The farmers market at KCC is overseen by the Hawaiʻi Farms Bureau – a nonprofit created by farmers for farmers, it oversees and represents the interests of the agricultural community within the Hawaiian Islands. Because of this the market actually requires its vendors to only sell local goods and produce. Meaning that when you buy from vendors, often you will be directly talking to the people directly responsible for the goods and produce.

At the market, you can find live music, and all sorts of impressive goods ranging from kiawe honey, freshly blended juices, Thai watermelons and much more. As a first-time visitor to the market, I decided to visit and interview some of the businesses below. 

Pangs Nursery (IG @pangsnusery)

Keri Pang (left) is the daughter of the founders of Pangs Nursery, which first opened in 1970. (Photo by Bowen Wang)

Pangs Nursery is a family-run wholesale nursery started by Sandy and Everett Pang in 1970. Everett Pang studied horticulture at Cornell University eventually going on to found Pangs Nursery. After retirement, Everett and Sandy Pang continue to cultivate new floral varieties at their nursery in Kamuela. Keri Pang, their successor and daughter, continues to carry on that tradition. Keri Pang said that in the past she had pursued a degree in computer science. Pang studied computer science in college, but had reconsidered, the prospect of running her own business and giving back to the community had been more appealing so she went back to continue the business.

Pang said that some of the most popular products at Pangs Nursery were the herbs and smaller potted vegetable products that it had been selling as the idea of growing your own crops had become increasingly appealing to local homeowners since the pandemic. Pang stated that a large amount of their sales did not come from the farmers market however they liked selling goods at the farmers market as an advantage that it had over selling their goods to retailers was that Pang would receive feedback from customers.

DA TOMATO GUY (IG @da_tomatoguy)

Da Tomato Guy the family-owned business, behind the commonly seen Kamuela tomatoes sold at places like Costco and other grocers. Da Tomato guy has been at the KCC Farmers Market for the past six years with their farm in Kamuela being around for 10 years. The tomatoes they sell all originate from their family farm and go for $3.50 a pound.

Da Tomato Guy had initially decided to start a stand at the KCC Farmers Market six years ago in order to advertise the quality of its produce both to residents and chefs alike. Da Tomato Guy prides their tomatoes for being naturally ripened on the vine as opposed to using gas to speed up the process of ripening, according to Ethan Rudometkin, who was working the booth last Sunday. In addition, Da Tomato guy also offers their homemade salsa ($8) and chips ($5).

Middle Eats Kitchen (IG @middleeats808)

Authentic Middle East flavors set Middle Eats Kitchen apart at the farmers market. (Photo by Bowen Wang)

Middle Eats Kitchen aspires to bring the taste of Middle Eastern Cuisine over to Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. On their website its quite clearly stated in fact their motto is “Where tradition meets taste.” Adrian Julien, who was working at the stand at the time, assured that all of the spices and seasonings used at Middle Eats Kitchen are direct imports from the Middle East, while most of the produce was sourced locally, such as their onions from Maui.

Middle Eats Kitchen originally started when Juliens’s friend who was a chef had proposed a partnership business. His friend wanted to co-own with Julien as he had technical experience owning businesses in the past, while he had the practical experience in the kitchen. Outside of the KCC Farmers Market, Middle Eats Kitchen is actually a ghost kitchen that only accepts orders with no physical location. Julien told me that in the future that they hoped to open an in-person location though that reality seemed a bit far. Some of their more popular options on their menu included the lamb kofta bowl $29.00 and their falafel bowl $20.00.

Helpful tips:

  • Bring cash. Most of the food stalls accept cards, though some only take cash.
  • Bring a picnic blanket and/or chairs, so you can sit and eat while watching the bands; no chairs are provided.
  • In case of rainy days, bring umbrellas and raincoats. The market is outdoors.

Location: KCC Parking Lot C, 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.