The city will permanently relocate its Monday People’s Open Market from Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park to the Magic Island parking lot at Ala Moana Regional Park.

Due to positive feedback from both customers and vendors, the city said it has decided to permanently relocate the market, which had temporarily been moved to the Magic Island parking lots from 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays since January due to maintenance work at Mother Waldron.

Many homeless had also been setting up camp at Mother Waldron after being swept out of Kakaako Waterfront Park and its sister parks in December, as previously reported in the Star-Advertiser.

The city Department of Parks and Recreation, however, said the market was already slated for permanent relocation due to the planned incorporation of a portion of Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park into the future Pohukaina Elementary School. Its decision to permanently relocate the open market ahead of schedule was based on the popularity of the new Ala Moana site, as well as increased vendor participation.

“I’m happy this relocation has been received so well by the park users and vendors,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell in a news release. “It makes complete sense to have our People’s Open Market located at Ala Moana Regional Park, the People’s Park, to help local merchants provide park users with fresh produce at one of the most popular locations in the entire state.”

The People’s Open Market program began in 1973, under the direction of then-Mayor Frank. F. Fasi and his wife Mrs. Joyce Fasi, as a way for farmers to sell surplus, “off-grade” produce and natural goods at a discounted price.

Today there are 25 People’s Open Markets that operate in neighborhoods across Oahu. Times and locations of the markets are available at parks.honolulu.gov.