7 Top Exotic Fruits to Try in Hawaii

One of the most exciting things about visiting somewhere new is being taken aback by the sights and tastes that are foreign and mysterious. While Hawaii has tons of experiences that may be unique to your day-to-day life, its exotic fruits add the poho berry on top of an exciting adventure. With strange shapes, bizarre flavors, and unexpected colors, the exotic fruits in Hawaii will make you feel like a kid entering Wonderland.

 

7 Must-Try Exotic Fruits in Hawaii 

From sweet, tart, to pungent, introduce your tastebuds to a cultural awakening. The introduction doesn't have to end there - supporting local farmers and shining a light on locally grown goods shows a celebration of the Hawaiian agriculture. 

 

1. Noni (Morinda Citrifolia)

  • Appearance: A light yellow and lumpy fruit about the size of a mango

  • Flavor: Pungent, cheesy, and not for the faint-hearted

  • Season: Year-round

  • How to eat it: Try fermented Noni juice, as an addition in a tropical smoothie, or fruit leather.

  • Health perks: It benefits immunity, has anti-inflammatory benefits, manages blood sugar levels, boosts vitality, and more. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and other vitamins. 

  • Farm tours: Real Noni offers farm tours at their farmstead on the island of Kauai.  

 

2. Mountain Apple (ʻŌhiʻa ʻai)

  • Appearance: Bell-shaped and shiny pink or red. Similar shape to a pear with a comparable creamy flesh

  • Flavor: Crisp, slightly floral, and juicy

  • Season: Summer and early fall (June–September)

  • How to eat it: Fresh - as is. But you can also enjoy it in pies, jams, chutneys, and delicious fruit bowls. 

  • Where to find it: Farmers markets or local roadside stands in East Oʻahu or the Big Island.

 

3. Hawaiian Pineapple (Hala kahiki)

  • Appearance: The iconic pineapple is familiar with its spiky yellow exterior and hard green shoots. 

  • Flavor: Tart, juicy, and adaptable to sweet or savory dishes

  • Season: Year-round, with a peak season from March to July

  • How to eat it: Peeled and fresh. Or cooked in a Huli Huli chicken dish, pineapple fried rice, or a Spam Musubi. This versatile fruit can also be offered in ice creams, shaved ice, or fruit bowls. 

  • Where to find it: Find huli huli chicken at a local food truck, or explore farmers markets and grocery stores for this popular fruit.

  • Farm tours: Visit the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa, Oahu, to learn more about the history and production of pineapples in Hawaii. They offer a Pineapple Express Train Tour and a Pineapple Garden Maze. 

 

4. Breadfruit (ʻUlu)

  • Appearance: Large fruit (2 - 10 pounds), round or oval, with a bumpy green-yellow skin. The flesh is firm and white, turning yellowish and softer as it ripens. 

  • Flavor: Mild and starchy, like a potato or soft bread

  • Season: Late summer to early winter (August–December)

  • How to eat it: Fried like chips with a sprinkle of salt. You’ll also find it in stews, roasted as a side, or mashed. It can be used as a gluten-free flour when dehydrated,

  • Health benefits: Rich in iron, calcium, dietary fiber, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, and more. 

 

5. Liliko'i (Passion Fruit)

  • Appearance: Small, round to oval fruit with a hard, deep maroon skin that wrinkles as it ripens. The flesh is a gooey yellow with hard, edible black pips. 

  • Flavor: Tart, tropical, and citrusy

  • Season: Peak harvest is from June through January, when it falls naturally from the vine.

  • Enjoy it best: Mixed into smoothies, drizzled on shave ice, ice cream, or whipped into lilikoi butter. It can also be enjoyed as is, out of its casing.

  • Where to buy: Almost every farmers' market in Oahu

  • Farm Tour: Kahuku Farms offers tours of their tropical gardens where you can see tropical fruits like açai, cacao, liliko‘i, dragonfruit, starfruit, and so much more!

 

6. Rambutan

  • Appearance: Eye-catching round (golf-ball size) fruit with unusual red spines/hairs on the shells. The flesh is white or slightly pink, and the texture is much like a lychee with a single seed.

  • Flavor: Juicy and sweet, with a slightly acidic taste

  • Season: Late fall to early winter (October–January)

  • How to eat it: Peeled and fresh

  • Find it here: Farmers' markets and local supermarkets

 

7. Poha Berry (Cape Gooseberry)

  • Appearance: Small, pale orange, berry-like fruit with a papery, beige husk. The flesh is the same color as the fruit, with tiny, edible seeds. 

  • Flavor: Sweet-tart

  • Season: Year-round, with a peak season late summer to early fall

  • Best for: Snacking, jams, or topping desserts and adding a pop of color to fruit bowls

  • Find it here: Farmers' markets and local supermarkets

 

Discovering Exotic Fruits in Hawaii

Honolulu has a range of local farmers' markets and farms for you to visit in search of exotic fruits exceeding the ones we've listed above. Some local markets in Honolulu are a short distance from our Waikiki Resort Hotel. 

  • Hawaii Farm Bureau Farmers Markets in Honolulu: Just 3 miles from the Waikiki Resort Hotel at 777 Ward Ave in Honolulu. Open on Wednesdays from 4-7 PM.
  • Kaka'ako Farm Lovers Market: Found at 919 and 1011 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu; 3.4 Miles from the Waikiki Resort Hotel. Open on Saturdays from 8 AM - 12 PM.  
  • Waianae Farmers Market: 86-120 Farrington Hwy, Waianae. A further drive of 35.4 miles from our hotel. Explore their fresh fruit produce on Saturdays from 8 AM to 12 PM. 

Many fruits grow wild or in home gardens, so asking locals for insider tips on the best place to find a particular fruit may also guide you to unexpected sources. Beyond markets and locals, you'll often find the unique fruits on the menus of local restaurants that prioritize fresh local produce. 

Explore our blog for Brunch Spots, Best Oahu Dessert Places, Cocktail Bars, and Must-Try Bakeries - all of which celebrate the exotic fruits in Hawaii.