Maui Swap Meet — Attraction in Maui

Saturday's only. Maui's Open air market. It's 50 cents admission and happens rain or shine. Sometimes it sprinkles then stops. (hey, your on a Tropical Island, Duh!) Free parking, handicap access/parking. Event held at University of Hawaii next to Kahului harbour. Come early, starts at 7am finishes at 1pm although vendors start to pack up around 11:30 am.

Nice place for all your tourist gift items, T-shirts and trinkets. Bring cash although most vendors take credit cards but not all. On sunny days bring a hat or buy one there.

Great place to eat. Food truck's, Malasadas(doughnuts), Coffee, Fresh Coconuts, Pineapples, Maui Girls Hawaiian shaved ice, Banana bread, Maui tacos, Amoure crepes, Empanada Lady (Very good Puerto Rican food) and others.Fresh fruit bowls and drinks. The place to buy Tropical flowers, fresh tropical/regular fruit and vegetables. If you don't know what something is just ask, everyone is friendly. $ - $$

Other food trucks across street by harbour. Cest Shrimp (Black truck) sells delicious types of sauteed shrimp, crab mac salad), Japanese food Keyakiya (Orange truck) has Fried Chicken katsu and other dishes. $$ Sometimes other food trucks are nearby. Food trucks are very clean and inspected. To go/take away only. No seating provide although everyone sits in shaded area nearby, so bring a beach towel/blanket. Parking on side of the road.

Queen Ka'ahumanu Mall is nearby has Major name stores, food court, Panda express, Starbucks, Movie theater, mobile phone stores, free parking garage. Maui bus stop by Long's drugstore. Foodland grocery next to mall by Sears. Kahului library nearby. Have a Great time on...

The last time I was at the swap meet was back in the 90's when they were located next to the Kahului post office. Now, they're located on a bigger sliver of land in between the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and University of Hawaii Maui College, the latter of which handles the free parking. I was off on a rare Saturday which allowed me to finally check out their "new" digs.

THE SWAP MEET: The swap meet is open on Saturday's from 7am till 1 or 2pm. We arrived around 9am and the parking lot was packed! Entry is 50-cents with unlimited entry/exit with a stamp. The vendors are set up along two to three paved circular tracks atop lush green grass, so dust was never an issue. Out of the maybe 60 stalls, only about 5% were vacant. It was hot with very little shade to find so come prepared. There is no seating area either should you come hungry to patronize the handful of food trucks and stands. Like at most swap meets, the goods sort of repeated themselves with similar items. Some of the highlights I saw were jams/jellies, baked goods, household wares, lots of clothing/accessories/jewelry, arts & crafts, essential oils, massage services, retro Hawaii license plates, flowers, fruits & veggies.

EXPERIENCE: I was told of a vendor that sells a certain veggie that I love that's hard to come by in the markets. I found them and got exactly what I was looking for along with other fresh, local produce for a terrific price. It's too bad this event happens only once a week as I'd totally buy all my veggies from these local farmers.

OVERALL: Support local and...

This is my first time writing a review online, but I felt compelled to speak up after witnessing a troubling incident during my otherwise wonderful stay on the beautiful island of Maui. While visiting a local vendor, I observed a young girl wearing her hair in a bun and black glasses shopping peacefully when the owner, dressed in a white shirt, white hat, and a zip-up, suddenly and quite aggressively asked her to leave. The interaction was shockingly abrupt and visibly upsetting for the girl, who left the vendor in tears. As someone with no personal connection to either party, I am completely unbiased, but I was genuinely disturbed by how the situation was handled. The owner’s behavior appeared unnecessarily harsh and aggressive, especially toward someone so young. Where I come from, we do not treat young people or anyone, for that matter—in such a disrespectful manner. I hope this message encourages reflection, as kindness and compassion should always be prioritized, especially in a place as welcoming and...