We went on a Wednesday which we learned was one of the best days to visit besides Saturdays. There were a ton of vendors selling their wares (my daughter bought a souvenir ukulele) as well as farmers selling fruits and vegetables. Tried out some local hotsauces which was probably a mistake since it was 85 degrees outside and about as perfect of a day in Hilo that you can have. Wished they had an ATM at the market as I had to walk several blocks to find one at a nearby bank though I learned that KTA store had one only 1 block away. Easily spent $60 on yummy fruits, veggies and souvenirs but could have spent more. Highly recommend stopping here and supporting the locals.

The market is covered so you are safe from the showers, There is a small cafe at one end and as you walk through you come out at the other end in to the high street. We only purchased a fridge magnet but there was lots of gift ideas as well as fruit and vegetables. People were friendly and offered tasters of fruit.

If you want the full experience you should visit the market on a Wednesday or Saturday. Most of the arts and craft vendors will not be set up and ready until around 8 AM or so but the fruit and veggie vendors show up earlier and on the market off days so you can get your pineapples or whatever every day of the week. You will find alot of genuine arts and crafts that are produced in Hawai'i by Big Island artisans mixed in with the Made in China or Taiwan or whatever stuff.

Went to the market a few saturdays ago in afternoon. As it was raining pretty hard, not sure all the usual participants were there but there was enough booths there that we enjoyed ourselves. We did buy fresh veggies and the prices were not as low as we expected for a market. Might be better if the weather was better. Would recommend going still.

We happened upon the Hilo Farmers' Market on our first visit to Hilo in 2016 and specifically planned to go to it again when in Hilo on our 2023 trip. It is the real deal, a big farmers market taking up in total more than an entire city block in downtown Hilo (although spread out in different sections a couple streets), and chock a block with vendors. One section is a true produce market while others sell a huge array of items from basic household goods to clothing, souvenirs, crafts, preserves and other fancy foodstuffs, and more. Prices here are good, and especially the produce prices, which always seem to be about the lowest we've seen in the whole state (of the places we've been) except maybe some farm stands we've been to. The prices for shirts and souvenirs are good also. This is probably the bets farmers' market in the state and is certainly the least touristy, least expensive, and most varied we have been to in the state and one of the best we've been to in the US - although again we have hardly been everywhere yet. It operates on at least a limited scale every day of the week but the "big" market days, Wednesday and Saturday, are the best. We went to that big market in both 2016 and 2023. There is parking on the street all around the area.

Great [lace to figure put what's going on in town. We went a few times, but Wednesday was best as it is when the non-daily sellers come and there is lots more to see. Fresh betel nuts were great to see as well as many fresh tropical fruits like soursop, in addition to more common fruits/ Great variety in banana varieties as well as papaya varieties. We purchased a perfectly butchered pineapple to enjoy, totally ripe and artistically done. Fresh green coconut split open with a machete first for a drink and then to scoop out the soft meat. There were plenty of clothing, beauty, jewelry, and what have you vendors as well. Everyone stays safe with masks and tries to stay distanced.

We attended the farmers market on a Wednesday and a Saturday. Not sure how they come up with 200 unless they are counting extended families. The produce 'section' was filled. It seems that these are permanent. The prices were all over the place. Quality is all over the place. I attempted to ask for "ripe to eat today" and smaller quantities (traveling), and cooperation varied greatly. At times it was a language barrier and others were just rude. The non-produce stands represented a real mix of vendors, tourist types, specialty local made items and products. The touristy stuff (clothes/trinkets) prices were similar to stores in Old Hilo. Old Hilo has a better selection if you like to walk store to store. I do enjoy purchasing local made items to support the local artist/crafts people. There was a nice but small selection of stands. There was a great assortment of locally grown produce and those GIANT California carrots. There were bathrooms on site and very limited parking. It was easy to find.

Fine to stroll around briefly as it’s not large. Don’t recommend shopping as things were bizarrely overpriced for things imported cheaply like bead bracelets and Hawaiian style shirts. Best thing is the shave ice joint! Parking is really difficult.

We had such fun exporing the Farmers Market. We especially liked the produce area. We chose a variety of fruits that we had never heard of and tried them as we drove around the island. We absolutely love apple bananas! We also discovered that we like rambutan. We had to find another farmers market in Kona to buy some more fruit for the rest of the trip. We also learned that passion fruit needs to be fully ripe or it is very sour. I was happy to see that Peter Honeyman was still there with his Real Live Flower jewelry. He preserves orchids and makes them into broaches and jewelry that are flexible and beautiful. I had regretted not getting a broach when we visited 13 years ago. I was delighted to get a beautiful orchid broach on koa wood on this visit. The broach I gave my mother years ago has held up so nicely and is still beautiful.

After my husband and I landed in Hilo, we drove to the Saturday Farmers' Market to try some tropical fruit. The market was outdoors but covered, which kept the temperature down. There was SO MUCH FRUIT to choose from, as well as other Hawai'ian products (coffee, lotions, chocolate, etc.). Everything was very reasonably priced - much better than if you go to a store or restaurant. We decided to purchase Rambutans, Passionfruit, and Mangosteen, and we enjoyed these sweet fruits under a Banyan Tree across the street. This is a must-do if you're in Hilo on a Saturday!