Wai‘anae Farmers’ Market
Focusing on its community
As the only farmers' market on O‘ahu to offer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) to food stamp recipients, Wai‘anae Farmers' Market is a market grounded in the realities of its community. Its new location, in a space donated by the Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, says it all. In Wai‘anae, “we have one of the highest, if not the highest areas of low-income population in the state,” says market manager Desiree Hikuroa. “So we decided to run with EBT and make healthy food more accessible to low-income families.”
Because the EBT tokens cannot be exchanged for hot food items, this healthy food comes mostly in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables, with prices that tend to be lower than those in grocery stores. All produce is grown in Hawai‘i, if not in Wai‘anae itself. Though the market is relatively small, with about 12 vendors a week, it’s anchored by a few vendors like Naked Cow Dairy and Kahumana Farms whose presence is not necessarily motivated by monetary profit; rather, this is their way of participating in the community where they live and farm. “We’re a supporter [of this market], through thick or thin,” says Robert Zuckerman of Kahumana Farms, an eight-acre farm attached to a state-certified therapeutic facility.
Like all good markets, Saturday mornings at the Wai‘anae market have also become a social gathering. “It’s where people come and have breakfast, they catch up with old friends, people they haven't seen in a while,” says Hikuroa. Contributing to the atmosphere is Daniel Anthony, the rock-n-roll star equivalent of the poi-pounding circuit. Providing both entertainment and sustenance, his stories and jokes are as much a part of pounding kalo as his board and stone pounder. His pa‘i‘ai, along with other goodies at the market like koina puffs (deep-fried poi balls) are often enough to bring some townies to the country, but ultimately, this market relies on the Wai‘anae community--both its farmers and consumers--to remain sustainable.
As Hikuroa says, “we still have a lot of room for growth. We would like
to see more local people come out and enjoy the health benefits of buying locally.”
Because the EBT tokens cannot be exchanged for hot food items, this healthy food comes mostly in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables, with prices that tend to be lower than those in grocery stores. All produce is grown in Hawai‘i, if not in Wai‘anae itself. Though the market is relatively small, with about 12 vendors a week, it’s anchored by a few vendors like Naked Cow Dairy and Kahumana Farms whose presence is not necessarily motivated by monetary profit; rather, this is their way of participating in the community where they live and farm. “We’re a supporter [of this market], through thick or thin,” says Robert Zuckerman of Kahumana Farms, an eight-acre farm attached to a state-certified therapeutic facility.Like all good markets, Saturday mornings at the Wai‘anae market have also become a social gathering. “It’s where people come and have breakfast, they catch up with old friends, people they haven't seen in a while,” says Hikuroa. Contributing to the atmosphere is Daniel Anthony, the rock-n-roll star equivalent of the poi-pounding circuit. Providing both entertainment and sustenance, his stories and jokes are as much a part of pounding kalo as his board and stone pounder. His pa‘i‘ai, along with other goodies at the market like koina puffs (deep-fried poi balls) are often enough to bring some townies to the country, but ultimately, this market relies on the Wai‘anae community--both its farmers and consumers--to remain sustainable.
As Hikuroa says, “we still have a lot of room for growth. We would liketo see more local people come out and enjoy the health benefits of buying locally.”
Our Sponsors
