Shopping: goodies in paradise

Sunset, July, 2004 by Alex Salkever

Honolulu food writer and consultant Joan Namkoong wondered why Oahu didn't have a farmers' market to showcase the Hawaiian Islands' growing cornucopia. So she and Dean Okimoto, the well-known greens grower, started calling farmers. The result? The Saturday Farmers' Market on the slopes of Diamond Head, featuring foods and flowers from Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island.

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There are juicy mangoes, creamy cherimoya, super-sweet pineapples, and papayas. And don't miss breakfast items from bigname restaurants such as Roy's or the kalua-pig breakfast burritos ($5.50) from student chefs from Kapiolani Community College's renowned culinary arts program. Go early: Lots of things go fast, including mouthwatering Waimea strawberries. 8-12 Sat year-round. Kapiolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Rd.; www.hfbf.org/FarmersMarket.html or 808/848-2074.