Big Save Market - Kapa'a
Big Save Market in Kapaa is a locally run, full‑service grocery known for island‑sourced produce and meats, a robust Asian & Polynesian aisle, and a deli with plate lunches, poke, and sushi. It’s a convenient one‑stop for essentials plus services like bus passes, fishing supplies, and Western Union.
- Locally sourced Kauai goods: Hanalei poi, Kapaa bananas, Kaneshiro Farms pork, and Kauai shrimp
- Taste of Times deli with hot/cold plate lunches, fresh poke and sushi, and afternoon markdowns
- Extensive Asian & Polynesian dry goods and Filipino specialties
- Practical services: bus passes, Western Union/bill pay, ATM, and copy machine
Big Save Market - Kapaʻa is a practical shopping stop on Kauai’s Coconut Coast, tucked into the east-side town of Kapaʻa in the Wailua area. It stands out less as a “sight” than as a useful anchor for travel days: a full-service supermarket where visitors can stock a condo kitchen, grab a hot lunch, and pick up a few locally useful odds and ends without detouring far from the main highway.
A neighborhood supermarket with real Kauai flavor
This is a conventional grocery store in the best sense—easy to use, well stocked, and geared to everyday needs rather than tourist theater. What gives it local character is the mix on the shelves and at the deli. Alongside standard groceries, Big Save Market - Kapaʻa carries Kauai products, a notably broad selection of Asian and Filipino pantry goods, and prepared foods that make it more than a restock stop.
The deli is often the most traveler-friendly part of the visit. Hot plate lunches, poke, and sushi make it an efficient option when a sit-down meal is unnecessary or the schedule is moving fast. For travelers who like to cook a little while on island, the store is especially useful for gathering island staples and local ingredients in one place.
An easy stop on the Coconut Coast
The store sits on Kuhio Highway in the Kapaʻa Shopping Center, which makes it straightforward to fold into an east-side drive. It works well after a beach morning, before checking into a vacation rental, or as a first-stop provisioning run for a longer stay in Wailua, Kapaʻa, or nearby parts of the Coconut Coast.
Ample shared parking helps keep the stop simple, and there is no special planning required beyond ordinary grocery timing. Early mornings are generally the calmest time to shop. Midday brings the deli rush, which is worth remembering if a quick plate lunch is the main goal. For travelers relying on public transportation, the sale of Kauai Bus passes adds a small but useful layer of convenience.
Why it earns a place in the itinerary
Big Save is strongest as a functional travel companion: quick lunch, kitchen supplies, pharmacy items, ATM access, and a chance to pick up local foods in one stop. It also suits rainy days well, when a covered, practical errand can replace a beach plan without feeling like wasted time.
The tradeoff is that this is not a boutique market or a polished gourmet stop. Shoppers looking for a curated specialty experience, high-end snacks, or souvenir browsing will find more of a working grocery-store atmosphere here. Prices on island groceries also run higher than mainland travelers may expect, so it is best used thoughtfully rather than as a place to buy everything casually.
Best for travelers who cook, snack, and move efficiently
This market is a strong fit for visitors staying in condos, rentals, or any lodging with a kitchen. It also makes sense for budget-conscious travelers who would rather assemble a simple meal than dine out every time, and for anyone curious about regional groceries and prepared foods that reflect daily life on Kauai.
Travelers staying in full-service resorts, or those wanting a more curated food-shopping experience, may prefer a specialty market instead. But for straightforward provisioning on the east side, Big Save Market - Kapaʻa is one of the most useful stops on the Coconut Coast.
