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Our orchard is at a lull in sweet fruit production right now. We have a big smoothie every morning, but occasionally need to supplement homegrown with a few things from roadside fruit stands as needed.
Our banana supplier has stopped selling, he charged $1.25/lb. Papayas seem high at 3 for $5, especially since I had paid 10/$1 in the good old days.
So my question is, where do you find the best prices for bananas and papayas in Puna? Preferably open most days, so not Maku’u Market.
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07-18-2026, 06:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-18-2026, 06:14 PM by Punatang.)
Free, if it ever happens, from the neighbors we styled out when they were in a lull. They are open every day. It takes communication, but in a functioning Hui, there should always be enough for everyone. Having said that, with Bananas and Papayas, you have to feed them like crazy. We realized a long time ago that all lulls were caused by the ol', "I thought you did it!" between us Tangs - regarding the fertilizer rotation. In Puna, don't forget the boron.
There are no cheap retail options unless you have relationships with some of the fruit stand operators. Then you can get a better price.
Better yet, when you have excess and the neighbors are all good to go, do what we call the double reverse fruit stand Uno maneuver. Walk INTO Kaimu or Makuu with a rack of bananas or whatever and hand it to your favorite fruit-stander. If they are slow, talk story but be aware if a customer is lurking and get out of the way. If they are busy just wink, say, "next time", and move out smartly. See what happens.
When it comes to fruit, IMHO, on The Big Island, if you have a yard, and you ever have to use cash - you're just not doing it right.
Don't go bananas. It is easy to fix. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
"If we are too precise we will be called out because we cannot back it with data."- A.F.
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There was an interview on Hawaii Public Radio last week with a west side mango grower. In the long audio portion at the link, he mentions that not that long ago people had fruit tress in their yards, and shared when they had too much. Not so much anymore he lamented.
That’s my situation. We have plenty fruit, sometimes we’re short on certain types. Our neighborhood doesn’t have many backyard fruit growers to trade with. I’d rather not carry racks of bananas around on a speculative futures commodity market basis.
What I would like is to occasionally supplement our seasonal supply, while on my way to other errands, low carbon, and pick up bananas or papayas when needed. Thanks.
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speculative futures commodity market basis
I guess that means that before we got here, in your mind, Hawaii was a "speculative futures commodity market".
Produce and groceries in general are cheap on the mainland.
Trade is still happening in all of the neighborhoods but yeah, you have to make those connections and you do have to actively participate in the distribution. It's not for everyone, but it is everywhere.
"If we are too precise we will be called out because we cannot back it with data."- A.F.
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Best prices? I think just about every roadside place they're available for purchase has a decent price for bananas and papayas. I'd opt for one that's at a convenient location for you. How about the stand along highway 130?
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I have a free fruit stand and an LFL outside our house, and we grow choke papayas. Maybe not conveniently located near you, but I would say just be on the lookout for fruit stands. I see random ones now and again when out and about.
The guy with the stars on his bike that rides around Pahoa (Ernesto? I think?) has papayas on property just past The Hub far as I know...I think he sells some at a few of the local shops in downtown, like Periwinkle Moon and maybe the new bookstore on the other side of the street from Periwinkle Moon.
There is a farmstand heading down Kamaili Rd toward Opihikao, just a bit makai of the scary sharp turns at the bottom. They usually have papaya as well as other produce.
Personally I don't go to Maku'u unless have visitors who want to go, but even so, my understanding is most of the produce sellers there don't grow their own. Are reselling from Costco or wherevs, just like the ones on the highway. Not sure about the one on Apa'a on the way to Pahoa transfer station...
Just brainstorming...cuz I like to help. :-)
Ok...after my head talking, I now return you to your regularly scheduled...whatevs. ;-)
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Mrs. Ferret Posted: I have a free fruit stand and an LFL outside our house, and we grow choke papayas.
That's how! Mahalo Mrs. Ferret. Imagine if everyone in Puna had a free fruit stand and an LFL outside their house.
"If we are too precise we will be called out because we cannot back it with data."- A.F.
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Okay, Iʻll bite. I Googled LFL and got Legends Football League. I somehow think that isnʻt what youʻre referring to. What is LFL?
Certainty will be the death of us.
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"If we are too precise we will be called out because we cannot back it with data."- A.F.
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I don’t believe we have to worry about the apple bananas or papayas FS in Puna coming from anywhere else besides Puna.
