This market was a blast. Everybody was super friendly and nice and holy guacamole. Did you see the…read moresize of those avocados? I will say everyone was super friendly and kind. I was happy to get to try a couple of samples from some of the vendors and some educated me on a lot of different things that I didn't know about the island. There are multiple species that you don't ever see outside of Hawaii or often at least. Was happy to know that I'll never see an avocado of this size in Alaska, but it still made me sad because it did taste delicious.

Amazing fruit and veggies available Beautiful flowers and…read moreplants Huge and will take a nice portion of the day. Very clean

"You can die anytime, but living takes true courage." -- Kenshin Himura…read more What a wonderful health food store & gift shop. If you're wondering: "Locavore" is a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food. Add a bunch of uniques gift ideas by Big Island artists and life is complete. Located in the heart of old town Hilo on Kilauea Avenue is where you'll find Locavore or as locals will know it's next to Ben Franklin. The staff of Sam and Audrey were genuinely kind and welcoming. I was most impressed with their knowledge of products and pride in what they had to offer. My sister (who I was visiting) purchased fresh non-GMO produce and pickled namasu. Since I was visiting Hilo I chose unique stickers and postcards to take home with me. I really felt a warm peaceful vibe while browsing around The Locavore Store. On a Sunday afternoon it was filled with curious customers. Health conscience hippies, those looking for island arts & crafts, and a few locals living la viva Locavore lifestyle. What a fab gem in old town Hilo. Til next time... Pls follow my adventures IG: @eric_travel_guru

This place is amazing! There are so many local products. Not only does Locavore have many…read morevegetarian and vegan products but they also carry local meats as well. One of the things I really love is that they highlight Kanaka owned business and products. The staff is nice as well! The first time I went I ended up going back the next day.

Marcy's is a Mini-Filipino store off the highway. You would never know from the outside looking in…read morebut they have a variety of great hard to find filipino products that may not be found at the bigger markets. I came in looking for specific pancit noodles and they had it! They also have an awesome selection of frozen goods like squid, prawns, and fish, that I was surprised to see in the back of the store at the frozen aisle. Everything in it was amazing and awesome! Even the variety of produce like long beans, fern, and green leafy types were surprising! Staff is friendly and prices are a bit cheaper on some products compared to the bigger stores! Cant wait to re-shop when we're back on this side of the island!

I have been hearing about Wilson's Shave Ice in Hilo for years ....it's my bf's FAVORITE shave ice…read moreplace in the world! So of course when I finally get to Hilo, we had to try it. Unfortunately for us, on our last day in Hilo when we went to try it Wilson's was inexplicably closed....whhhaaattt????!!!! With my sweet tooth still craving something tasty and my bf needing to mend his shocked heart over Wilson's, I suggested we get some Halo Halo. Instantly his eyes brightened and we jumped in the car to head to Marcy's Variety Store. Off of Makaala Street in an inconspicuous block, we pulled up to Marcy's Variety Store. Note to the wise, it's next door to a small Filipino bakery that also serves Halo Halo but they can't beat Marcy's. We ordered two, and the gal handed us over two gi-normous cups of Halo Halo. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ojNY69j2gfwMI0er0YHpdA?select=bNnQqEpE-Y8WtQ6iTjWUMQ All kinds of tropical fruits and jellies dancing around the cup swirled with evaporated milk---all of this goodness is topped off with crushed ice and a heaping scoop of ube/vanilla ice cream. YUM!!!!!!!! And although my poor honey didn't get his Wilson's, he looked pretty happy enjoying his Halo Halo. (And my sweet tooth thanked me for it too!)

Totally worth the short, scenic drive! So close to Hilo town!…read more A beautiful working farm- and lovely curated items from crafts, to chocolates, coffee and home-grown fruits. I brought some chocolate home and it is the most amazing chocolate! Also got some fresh fruits we ate while on the island. Wish I had one of those caviar limes right now!! Go here for your souvenirs and support local farmers.

We stopped at this gift store on the way back from the chocolate farm. The gift shop features their…read moreown macadamia nuts that they grow on their 700+ acre farm. (The nuts are processed off site). I bought some and they were delicious. The owner was super friendly. It is worth a stop if you are in the area.

New owners just took over and they are the best! So kind and friendly! One of the best Açaí…read morebowls I've had! So fresh and delicious!!! Highly, highly recommend!!! You will not be disappointed!!!

Ice cream was great as expected which this place is known for. I prefer the ube one…read more The staff was really nice and she helped adjust a coffee that we ordered. I'd recommend getting coffee elsewhere- the cold brew is a bit watered down. Small seating inside but super close to other stores so a great stop after a meal!

Everything is amazing! Parking - awesome…read moreStaff - super friendly Food - omg, delish And while you wait, browse the crack seed area and buy some snacks! Love this place!!!

Crack seed. For us…read morelocals in Hawai'i, these snacks were childhood staples. The crack seed store, a classic place where vibes of nostalgia are generated every time I walk into one. 'Cause I grew-up with li hing mui and arare. There's a small number of locally-owned crack seed shops on the Big Island of Hawai'i and in Hawai'i in general. This is one of them, the "local-style candy store" for an island boy like me. I enter 5-Spice, located in East Hawai'i after the intersection of Kilauea Ave and W Puainako St, heading south. I remember frequenting this business when it used to be at Puainako Town Center. Their popularity over the years gave them the ability to move to a larger space. Now independently located in their own building with ample parking. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Would I be able to control myself, holding onto what's desired without adding anything extra? It's always impossible for me to do so. Everytime. Yummy preserved items in large display jars, others placed in vacuum sealed bags. All priced by-the-ounce. I become curious, wanting to taste it again. I go to my favorites, seeking them first while browsing through the visual display of many others. Cracked seed goodness on one side, bagged candies and sweets on the other. I've seen this all before yet, I stand still with the desire to place it all in my hands. And I sure do, my hands are full. I mail them to the U.S. mainland in care packages, travel to the neighbor-islands as omiyage, and personally enjoy them at work or at home as snacks. They make great gifts for friends and coworkers too. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's talk about food, where mouth-watering plates and yummy burgers are prepared. Bentos are packed to-go on the countertop. Offering an extensive menu for a take-out, all made to enjoy outside on picnic tables or elsewhere. Daily specials are available along with catering + platters too. Front service by the team at the counter is pleasant, attentive. Gratitude is always extended for every purchase. Comfortable, courteous, welcoming. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Meat Jun Plate" A light egg batter and thinly sliced beef served in an upscale fashion due to care in preparation and quality of flavor. The soft and indulgent texture of each meat jun piece, perfectly seasoned + cooked. Your choice of tossed greens, purple sweet potato or macaroni salad. "Honey Chicken Plate" Featuring a crazy yummy sweet and savory glaze, sticky and glossy. This sauce, this recipe creation is glorious. Chicken pieces are tender yet slightly crispy on the exterior. "Bibimbap" Freshly made Korean banchan, thinly sliced seasoned beef over white rice. I pour the gochujang over everything and mix-in the sunny side egg, bringing forward a creamy texture along with heat + depth. Choose the sweet potato salad as your side. "Gravy Burger Combo w/ French Fries" This massive burger patty is filling, satisfying. Charred and smothered in rich brown gravy served with lettuce and mayo. Choose the sweet bread bun, the seasoned salt on their fries makes all the difference. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delicious food to-go with generous portions, sealed bags of cracked seed items + sweet treats at 5-Spice. For enjoyment at home, to share at work, gifts or omiyage. Find this charm, this unique and tasty experience on the Big Island of Hawai'i - East side. Locally owned and operated.

Hilo Products treats customers like family, old time local way. They are wonderful to work with…read more 5 stars. Gramma's Kitchen In Historic Honoka'a Town

Best place to order fresh produce and fruits. Have been there several times. Can call for pickup or…read morethey will deliver if you order $50 or more. Everything I have ordered is top quality. Very busy place.

Way bigger than the downtown location, plus they have a selection of Two Ladies mochi just like…read moredowntown. Checkout was a little backed up but not bad. Plenty parking. Big selection. Decent prices. Everything you need in a market. Also got some perfectly yellow local bananas - back on Oahu, it seems like all the apple bananas are greener-than-green and take 10+ days to ripen. We were able to tear into these in the car!

Whenever we are in Hilo, this is a must! Fresh seafood, hot foods and their bakery? Omg!!! Plus…read morethey have the best local cookies (Kelly Boy) . This is a great omiyagi to bring back home for your special friends and family. Staff is super nice too!

Great store conveniently located in the village of Keaau. Wonderful, kind and helpful customer…read moreservice. Honestly, I probably wouldn't shop anywhere else if given another option. The meat department can often stink up the joint, but it's a small grocery store...what more would one expect.

Standards of cleanness are needed in meat departments. If their shelves are splashed with meat…read morejuices, unwashed, what must the back, where the work is done, be like? No thx! And, please, buy a new shelf when they become this old & rusted.

The produce was not fresh, very wilted. There were expired things on the shelves. Sticky floors and…read morerusty shelves. They have most of the Filipino and Chinese stuff, not so much Korean or Japanese. There is also some Vietnamese and Thai stuff. Considering that it's like the only place in Hilo to get Asian stuff for cooking at home, it's okay

It was dark and a bit sketchy inside. The parking lot is full of trash. I really couldn't…read moreunderstand shots here. I didn't buy anything. Just walked in felt uncomfortable and left. It's a shame because it seems like with a little care and clean up, it could be a nice market.