The People’s Open Market: Generations of Making Fresh Food Affordable

Affordable produce, open urban spaces, and local residents; simple ingredients The People’s Open Market has employed for over 40 years of community building on O’ahu.

Started in 1973 by the City and County of Honolulu, the People’s Open Markets (POMs) still continues today with the mission of providing affordable, fresh food to Oahu’s ever growing population. The market is said to have begun with Joyce Fasi, the wife of then Mayor Frank Fasi, who had heard other womens’ concerns about the high cost of food and living in Honolulu. True to their mission until today, the POMs staff recommend their vendors to sell at lower prices — usually 35% below retail prices in the city. Some of these markets also accept SNAP/EBT benefits and are a reliable resource if you’re looking to bring health and wellness into your home by way of inexpensive, freshly grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.

With a strong focus on affordability and accessibility, the People’s Open Market is held an astounding 25 times in just one week! Each market is held for 1 hour and is set at a different location, usually in areas well-populated with local residents. Another extraordinary aspect is the presence of aquacultural products in their markets! Aside from fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers, there are also usually vendors who sell fresh ocean fish, pond fish, farmed shrimp, and prawns when available. Making meals at home has never been easier when you can find everything you need at a well-stocked farmers market like the POMs.

Going to these markets, you experience a beautiful intersection of agriculture and aquaculture, along with various cultures and the special foods found therein. Many of the POM vendors have been with the market for at least two generations and sometimes more. Vendor families pass down their knowledge and love for their communities along with the boxes, baskets, and crates of ripe, abundant produce they grow and sell. The People’s Open Market has become a home with open doors, where long-time residents can talk story, laugh together and relish in seeing a familiar face.

If you’re looking to feel at home in your neighborhood and enjoy affordable fresh food, this is the market for you. With so many venues and times to choose from, The Peoples Open Market rivals the chain stores on every corner of Waikiki strip. Let the convenience of food being grown and raised in your communities backyard be the cornerstone of your families dining table.

The Details:

Vendor Contact, David Lee, dlee7@honolulu.gov
honolulu.gov

• Mānoa Valley District Park – Mondays 6:45am – 7:45am
  2721 Kaaipu Avenue, Honolulu HI 96822

• Makiki District Park – Mondays 8:30am – 9:30am
  1527 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu HI 96822

• Āla Moana (Magic Island) – Mondays 10:00am – 11:00am
  Ala Moana Regional Park
  1201 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu HI 96814

• City Hall Parking Lot Deck – Mondays 11:45am – 12:30pm
  Alapai and Beretania Streets, Honolulu HI 96814

• Pālolo Valley District Park – Wednesdays 6:30am – 7:30am
  2007 Pālolo Avenue, Honolulu HI 96816

• Old Stadium Park – Wednesdays 8:15am – 9:15am
  2237 South King Street, Honolulu HI 96826

• Kapiʻolani Park – Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:00am
  3840 Paki Ave, , Honolulu HI 96815

• Kamehameha Community Park – Saturdays 6:30am – 7:30am 
  1400 Kalihi Street, Honolulu HI 96819

• Kaumualiʻi Street – Saturdays 8:15am – 9:30am
  700 Kalihi Street, Honolulu HI 96819
  Accepts SNAP/EBT

• Kalihi Valley District Park – Saturdays 10:00am – 10:45am
  1911 Kamehameha IV Road, Honolulu HI 96819

• Hawaiʻi Kai Park-n-Ride – Saturdays 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  300 Keāhole Street, Honolulu HI 96825

• Waimānalo Beach Park – Thursdays 7:15am – 8:15am
  41-741 Kalanianaʻole Hwy., Waimanalo HI 96795
  Accepts SNAP/EBT

• Kailua District Park – Thursdays 9:00am – 10:00am
  21 South Kainalu Drive

• Kāneʻohe District Park – Thursdays 10:45am – 11:45am
  45-660 Keaʻahala Road, Kaneohe HI 96744

• Salt Lake Municipal Lot – Saturdays 11:15am – 12:00pm
  5337 Likini Street, Honolulu HI 96818

• Hālawa District Park – Fridays 7:00am – 8:00am
  99-795 Iwaiwa Street, Aiea HI 96701

• Waiau District Park – Tuesdays 6:30am – 7:30am
  Komo Mai Drive, Pearl City HI 96782

• Waipahu District Park – Tuesdays 8:15am – 9:15am
  94-230 Paiwa Street, Waipahu HI 96797

Markets that Accept SNAP/EBT:

• Waikele Community Park – Sundays 11:30am – 12:30pm
  94-870 Lumiʻaina Street, Waipahu HI 96797

• Wahiawā District Park – Tuesdays 10:00am – 11:00am
  N.Cane St. and California Ave., Wahiawa HI 96786
  Accepts SNAP/EBT

• Ewa Beach Community Park – Fridays 9:00am – 10:00am
  91-955 North Road, Ewa Beach HI 96706

• Pōkaʻi Bay Beach Park – Fridays 11:00am – 11:45am
  85-037 Pokai Bay Road, Wai’anae HI 96792

• Kapolei Community Park – Sundays 7:00am – 8:30am
  91-1049 Kamaaha Loop, Kapolei HI 96707

• Royal Kunia Park-n-Ride – Sundays 9:30am – 11:00am
  Kupuna Lp./Kupuohi St., Village Park HI 96797

• Mililani District Park – Tuesdays 11:45am – 12:30pm
  94-1150 Lanikūhana Avenue, Mililani HI 96789

Check out all Oahu Farmers Markets on our directory!

Want your farmers market highlighted on our blog? Email us at hawaiifarmersmarkets@gmail.com