Kailua Town Farmer’s Market’s to hold last day at Pali Lanes parking lot

The popular Kailua Town Farmer’s Market is looking for a new home — again.

The market found a temporary home at the Pali Lanes parking lot for the past two years, but will be holding its last market at the location from 8 a.m. to noon this Sunday, according to market director Pamela Boyar.

“We grew so much,” said Boyar. “It was a beautiful market.”

The Pali Lanes bowling alley is expected to close for good at the end of the month after more than 60 years in business. Local real estate investment firm Alexander & Baldwin Inc. owns the land beneath Pali Lanes, and will be taking the property back.

Previously, the market had been held at the parking lot of Kailua Elementary School, but was booted out by the principal after six years, and moved to the Pali Lanes parking lot along Hekili Street in the summer of 2019, where farmers and vendors set up tents beneath the shade of monkeypod trees.

Boyar said the market has more than 60 farmers and vendors supporting more than 120 local jobs, and that it was doing very well despite the pandemic. As an essential business, the market had remained open pretty much throughout last year, and continues to grow in popularity this year.

A change.org petition, “Save KailuaTown Farmers Market, launched three weeks ago, has garnered more than 1,300 signatures. It asks county and Kailua community leaders to help the market find a new location in the beach town.

“As a community food hub with a focus on local and sustainable products, Kailua Town Farmer’s Market serves the important purpose of supporting local farms, local food businesses and local artisans by providing a direct source for local products,” the petition said.

Boyar said she is looking at three possible alternative sites in Kailua for the farmer’s market. She is determined to keep the market going, and says updates will be available via Kailua Town Farmers Market’s Facebook page or via farmloversmarkets.com.