Asian Markets on the Big Island? (Hilo, Waimea: transplants, auction, store)

[Jane M]

Hi,

Are there any Asian Markets on the Big Island? Please don't say KTA b/c it has some Asian snacks and sauces but I am looking for more than that.

Also, are there any markets that sell a variety of Whole fish (not just filets). Thank you!

[hotzcatz]

Suisan for whole fish, I'd expect. Either that or talk to the guys with fishing boats. There's a fish auction on the Kona side, not sure where or when, but they forced Suisan out of the fish auction action a decade or two ago.

Asian Markets, there is the one across from where the Ford dealer used to be at the corner of Kilauea and Kekuanaoa streets. It's a dark colored building called "Kilauea Market".

[leilaniguy]

If you're out Pahoa way look for the fish monger that sits in front of the wall of the YBA hall on the corner next to Luquin's. He's there almost every weekday.

[terracore]

I second the Kilauea Market.

There is a guy who sells his morning catch on the corner of Auli'i and highway 130 in Puna in the afternoon. He's not there every day but when you find him I'm sure you can get his number. If you are looking for a store the only one I'm aware of is Suisan.

[Jane M]

I was looking for places that sell Asian type produce staples as well. Like, lemongrass, kaffir lime, bitter melon, thai basil, rice paddy herb, taro stalk, etc.. I found some markets on Ali'i drive but the produce is hella expensive and not very fresh, but that's to be expected in that area I suppose. So maybe some hints on good farmers markets.

[leilaniguy]

This side Hilo farmers Market, Maku'u Market, Pahoa Market, Green Lake market.

[hotzcatz]

Philipino markets have a lot of that stuff, but they don't have all of it all the time. Or just grow it in your backyard, that's the easiest.

[Jane M]

Thanks you guys. I do plan on growing lemon grass and kaffir lime. I am on Kona side, but will check out the markets on Hilo side.

[hotzcatz]

Hilo side KTA may carry more of the things you're looking for since a lot of those are for the local folks and Kona side has a lot of transplants so they stock the shelves a bit differently. If you go to Hilo farmer's market, they may have a lot of that stuff. Waimea has some farmer's markets on Saturday mornings, two big ones, for sure. Not sure if they'd stock exactly what you're looking for, though.

Waimea has a Filipino market, they'd probably have the bitter melon and taro stalk, possibly lemon grass, not sure about Kaffir lime.

Haven't a clue where to get rice paddy herb, never seen it, never heard of it. Possibly at the big plant sales, you could ask the folks who grow herbs. There's one guy that grows oddball stuff, the others have fairly standard offerings.

Ask someone with a boat at the harbor where to get fish, they'd probably know. There's a big fish auction over there somewhere, but you'd end up with a lot of fish from that, no doubt.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I haven't been in a while, but how about the South Kona Green Market at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook? Every Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Even if they don't have exactly what you are looking for, I bet you'll find some interesting stuff. And, besides, the garden is a wealth of information on native plants.