Waipahu Festival Marketplace – showcasing Hawaii’s cultural diversity (video+slideshow)

July 9, 8:01 AMHonolulu Affordable Travel ExaminerSandi Yara

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The opening of Waipahu Festival Marketplace in late 2007 was met with great anticipation. This project was developed to revitalize an area that had seen tough times since the closing of the Oahu Sugar Plantation in 1995.

Situated in a well-known part of Waipahu town, Waipahu Festival Marketplace occupies the former Big Way Supermarket site, across the street from what used to be the famous Arakawa’s department store and below the landmark Waipahu sugar mill smoke stack.  The new wooden structure was designed to blend in with its surroundings so it has a definite ‘plantation’ look to it which is perfect.

The air-conditioned marketplace features over 20 vendors selling fresh, island produce and fruit, ocean and fresh water fish and seafood, tropical flowers, food, crafts, and more. It doesn’t look like they have any available space but, occasionally, a new vendor moves in – such as the recent addition of Sushi on Wheels.  In addition to the ‘regular’ tenants, a number of kiosks in the marketplace are set aside to accommodate emerging entrepreneurs.

The vendor stalls and layout will remind first-time visitors / shoppers of farmers or open-air markets ... check out the photo gallery and video that follow.. It’s crowded with people doing their daily or weekly shopping.  Prices are mostly hand-written and posted. And it has the unmistakable aroma of a marketplace.

Waipahu Festival Marketplace celebrates Hawaii’s cultural diversity in the products that are available for sale and the entertainment that it offers.  It is a project of the non-profit Waipahu Community Association.   Don't forget to checkout the photo gallery at the end of this story.

Address:  94-340 Waipahu Depot Street
Phone:  808-677-6939
Hours of operation:  M-F 8 am-6 pm, Sat 8 am-5 pm, Sun & Holidays 8 am-3 pm

Another popular outdoor market is the Saturday Farmer's Market at Kapiolani Community College, Parking Lot C (Off of Diamond Head Road)
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816-4421
Hours of Operation:  Every Saturday, 7:30 am to 11:30 am
For more information, contact: Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga Phone: 808-947-3804, 808-391-3804.

If you enjoy heritage travel / tourism, you may also be interested in reading ...

Keeping the Heritage Alive at Hawaii's Plantation Village - part 1, part 2 and part 3