What the Farm Fair Tribute Is
The Kauai County Farm Bureau Farm Fair Tribute is a day at Kukui Grove Center in Lihue celebrating Kauai's farmers, ranchers and backyard gardeners. It is anchored by the Fruit and Vegetable Show, where growers enter their best produce for ribbons and cash prizes. The Tribute carries on the spirit of the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair, which once filled much of Vidinha Stadium; the Tribute is smaller and does not include the midway rides or a livestock show.
The 2026 event was Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the theme "Stop the Spread of Invasive Pests." It drew several hundred people. Expect farmer vendors, agency partner booths, giveaways, live demonstrations, speakers and keiki activities.
The Fruit and Vegetable Show: Rules
The following rules are from the most recent show rules flyer available to read, for the 2025 show held August 23, 2025.
- Entries must be grown on Kauai by the exhibitor.
- Each farm may enter one item per listed commodity, and each farm or household may submit a maximum of 10 entries.
- The Youth Division is for entries grown entirely by exhibitors aged 16 and younger.
- Entries must be on the official entry form, available at the food court.
- Entries are accepted on show day from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the Fruit and Vegetable exhibit area. Late entries are not accepted. Displays stay up until 3:00 p.m.
- Judges look for uniformity of color, shape and size typical of the commodity, and freedom from defects, blemishes, injuries, insects and diseases. Judges may award more than one blue, red or white ribbon per commodity, and their decisions are final.
Standard entry amounts
The flyer lists amounts per commodity. Examples: 4 pieces each of mango, papaya, avocado, tomato (large), zucchini and eggplant; 1 pound each of ginger, okra, lychee and spinach; 6 carrots or 1 pound; 2 heads of cabbage or kale; 3 heads of lettuce; 3 taro; 1 hand of bananas. Items not listed must be commonly eaten by people, in an amount of 4 pieces, 1 pound or one retail unit, whichever is greater.
Prizes
| Award | Cash (2025) |
|---|---|
| Best in Show, Fruit | $50 |
| Best in Show, Vegetable | $50 |
| Blue ribbon | $25 |
| Red ribbon | $15 |
| White ribbon | $10 |
| Judges' Choice | Honor |
| Special contests (Alliums; best fruit or vegetable grown by a youth) | $50 first, $30 second, $20 third |
Best in Show and Judges' Choice winners are posted and published at the event, and ribbons and prizes are mailed to winners by the Farm Bureau. In 2025, 34 farmers and backyard gardeners competed for nearly $2,500 in prizes provided by the Farm Bureau with co-sponsors Matson and Ulupono Initiative. Best in Show for fruit went to eight pink dragonfruit on one branch, and for vegetables to red-edged lettuce.
Other Activities
Recent Tributes have included a Kauai Bonsai Club exhibition and sale, Kauai Community College culinary students cooking samples, Kauai High School FFA students, Kauai Master Gardeners answering questions, and invasive species exhibits from groups such as the Kauai Invasive Species Committee.
Where
Kukui Grove Center, 3-2600 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue, HI 96766.
Questions
When must I bring my entries?
On show day only, in the early morning window; late entries are not accepted.
Can I enter if I am not a farmer?
Yes. The Tribute welcomes backyard gardeners, as long as the produce was grown on Kauai by the exhibitor.
Who do I call?
Kauai County Farm Bureau, (808) 855-5429.
Official Links
- Kauai County Farm Bureau
- 2025 Fruit and Vegetable Show rules (PDF)
- Farm Fair Tribute at Kukui Grove Center
- A tribute to the farm fair (The Garden Island, 2026)
- Eight fruits on a branch (The Garden Island, 2025)
Hawaii County Fairs and State Farm Fair: The Essentials
Hawaii's main agricultural fairs are the Hawaii State Farm Fair on Oahu and the Maui County Fair in Wailuku. The 60th Farm Fair was listed for July 11 and 12, 2026 at Whitmore Village, with livestock and 4-H activities, per WorldAtlas. Dates may change.
Maui County Fair
The 99th fair ran October 1 to 4, 2026 at the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku, with a livestock exhibit of cows, sheep, goats, pigs and bulls, per Hawaii News Now.
Entries
Maui's Small Animal and Poultry Exhibition took up to three animals per Maui County resident, with a September 21 deadline, per its announcement.
Next steps
Ask your county 4-H leader or extension office for entry dates and rules.
Maui admission in 2026 was $10 for adults and youth 12 and up, $5 for ages 5 to 11 and free for ages 4 and under. Kauai holds a Farm Bureau fruit and vegetable show in Lihue.
Fair dates and rules change from year to year.
Read the full guide: Hawaii County Fairs and State Farm Fair
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kauai Fruit Tree Netting Workshop
Evening workshop with a netting demonstration and free used netting for growers protecting fruit trees from pests. Held each year; the most recent date was May 29, 2026.
7370-A Kuamoo Rd., Kapaa, HI | Organizer: Kauai County Farm Bureau Official event details - Koloa Plantation Days Festival
Forty-first annual ten-day festival in Koloa celebrating the sugar plantation history of south Kauai with parades, cultural events and local comfort foods. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-26, 2026.
Koloa, HI Official event details - Kauai County Farm Bureau Annual Membership Meeting
Members of the Kauai County Farm Bureau meet over lunch and a dessert contest with a $50 prize. Held each year; the most recent date was August 1, 2026.
Lihue, HI | Organizer: Kauai County Farm Bureau Official event details - Kauai County Farm Bureau Fruit and Vegetable Show
Kauai-grown produce, flower and bonsai show themed Stop the Spread of Invasive Pests, with farmer vendors, agency partners, demonstrations and children's activities. Held each year; the most recent date was August 29, 2026.
Lihue, HI | Organizer: Kauai County Farm Bureau Official event details - Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival
Sunday festival sampling Kauai-grown chocolate and coffee with a tasting passport, chef demonstration and live music. Held each year; the most recent date was October 18, 2026.
Lihue, HI Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.