LIHU‘E — The popular Monday Market will re-open today in the parking lot fronting the former Sports Authority store, said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, specialty leasing manager at Kukui Grove Center.
“We’ll be there from 3 to 5:30 p.m.,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “This is the Monday Market under new management and with new vendors. Shoppers are encouraged to park on the Kalapaki Joe’s side of the shopping center to access the market.”
Twenty vendors, including farmers like Sakda Farm, Watchara Farm, Wirat Family Farm, Yasaka Farm and more will become available to shoppers on Monday afternoons in a central area with ample parking.
“On behalf of the Kaua‘i Farm Bureau, we are excited to partner with Melissa Warrack and the Kukui Grove Center to bring back the Monday afternoon farmers’ market,” said Laurie Ho, president of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau.
“This is our Thanksgiving effort to bring back another farmers’ market — yes, in a brand new location, the upper south parking lot where Sports Authority used to be.”
Kumu Sabra Kauka will lead a short blessing at 2:45 p.m.
“A lot of these farmers participate in other farmers markets,” said Amy Chun, one of the market managers from the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau. “We couldn’t do the market on Saturday how we did the Kaua‘i Community Market because the farmers are now part of the Puhi Park Produce hosted by the Grove Farm Company.”
Monday provides an ideal date in the week, as it poses no competition to other farmers’ market programs, and shoppers are ready to restock the pantries following the weekend, heading into the week with fresh fruits and vegetables grown on Kaua‘i.
Additionally, other vendors like the ‘Ohana Health Box with Mark Jones, Lin’s Farm and more participate in the Wednesday farmers’ market at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, a partnership with the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau, and a new face returning to the marketplace is Ono Pops with Greg Askew and Candace Boxer.
“Have you seen the yellow watermelon that’s on the social-media pages?” Chun asked. “This is definitely going to grow.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
