Market at the Park Offers Variety in Pāhoa

Market at the Park Pāhoa continues to evolve following its creation in October of 2020.

The Big Island’s newest farmer’s market is located behind the skate park in the heart of Pāhoa Village, running weekly on Sundays from 8 am until 2 pm. It was initially sponsored by Hawai‘i Food Basket, in partnership with Kanaka Ha‘aheo and the Office of Hawai‘i County Councilmember Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder,

Meshell Barron, who runs the M&M Custom Designs booth, said regular vendors at the market have increased from just a few to approximately 15 since its inception. Wares include farm fresh produce, products like art and jewelry crafted by local artisans, and a variety of food and beverage choices.

Other regular vendors include “I’m Happy Dough” vegan doughnuts, Banzos Falafel Bowls and Tea, Big Island Grindz, Marta’s Tamales, MARYMADE Kombucha, and Hawaiian Kava, among several others.

What was originally supposed to be a quick move, the transition of the market from the old Nanawale Community Association Farmer’s Market to its new name and venue in Pāhoa took 10 months to complete. Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder, who began pressing the idea in November 2019, told Big Island Now in a previous interview that the hold-up was mostly COVID-related.

“Previous council members had set up the ability for certain parks in the county to host a farmers market,” he said. “Standing on their work, I was able to nail down with the (Department of Parks and Recreation) the use of the Pāhoa park as a farmer’s market area.”

“Then COVID delayed everything.”

While the pandemic has lessened in severity since the market’s opening, patrons are asked to maintain safety protocol when in attendance as they continue support local, Big Island business owners.