ChoiceMART — Local services in Hawaii

The staff at this location are always friendly and helpful. The parking is convenient, and the products are kept well stocked, though I have noticed items which expire often expire notably sooner than the posted date. (More on that later)

Choice Mart is notorious for having hit-and-miss price gouging.. A bi-product of being a singly owned store without the larger corporate trade agreements I'm told. If you know the local prices, you can find a number of good deals, however, some items are double the prices found in town.

Prices aside, Choicemart does have a bit of a country shopping center feel with a fairly full selection of products. The parking is more than adequate, and with two exits and being right at a speed change right before the police station, it is always a stress free parking lot to pull into, park, and pull out of. (This is a huge bonus vs. the newly opened competition)

I have found Choicemart keeps it's refrigeration too warm. I live 15-20 minutes from the store, and Icecream is always melted when I get home, and, In May of 2018, I've had both milk and meats spoil a full week before the expiration date (Checked my fridge settings, and noticed products from other stores aren't expiring early). The ice-cream is soft on the shelf vs. other stores where it is kept cooler prior to transit.

This market, as is somewhat common in the smaller Hawaiian markets, has a semi-random selection of really interesting and delicious meats and foods which you would not find at the nationwide markets found here, or on the mainland. Tripe and ox tail are two of my favorites (makes an unbelievably delicious soup), as well as bento lunches and other local ready-made foods, and then the more commonly available sandwhich/sushi selection.

Choicemart also offers a reasonable selection of locally purchased produce (though all the eggs come from the mainland for some unfathomable reason)

There's also a pretty reasonable alcohol section, for a small store, which seems to lean toward representing crafted beers and some wine, but has the basics to make most mixed drinks. (Kona brew pub bottled beer...

I live nearby and shop here often. The store is clean and well stocked. While the prices are a bit higher than in town, convenience is the key. Also, Choice Mart buys produce from local farmers and often has place cards explaining what some of the exotic fruits and items are.

The produce manager also has a Youtube video explaining how to sell local items to them to ensure they will present well and customers will be happy with the purchase. That is why you see lots of fruit ready for eating!

Being in the Kona Coffee region, I think Choice Mart has the largest selection of 100% Kona Coffee anywhere. This is because the large store in Kona and around the island cater to the 10% blends and the large distributors. A farmer can have his product sold at Choice Mart where he would not be able to supply a large store. This means that a great coffee in limited supply from a small mom and pop store can be offered to the public.

I have had an opportunity to take a couple of their pies to a pot luck and they received great reviews.

What...

I have to say that ChoiceMART is now my favourite grocery store on Hawaii, they have everything you need and more. From an amazing selections of craft beers, beers on tap and a vast selection of wines to suit every taste that would truly rival any liquor store on Island. They have a hot and cold Deli counter for a grab and go meal or they can make what you need to order. The fresh caught fish section with local poke is amazing and I have to confess to always asking for a sample as it is so fresh and delicious. My favourite section is the fresh produce which has a fantastic organic selection. Who can go past the Big Island grass fed beef from the butcher in store without taking home a steak to throw on the grill as you get set for pau hana on your lanai. This place is amazing, you can even order online and pick up kerbside without even getting out of your car, better still they can deliver your online order to your home. BEST DAY EVER! Thank You ChoiceMART, If I could give you seven...