What it is
Big Save Market in Waimea is a full-service supermarket and a key provisioning stop for Kauai's West Side. Operated by the Times Supermarkets chain, it functions as a conventional grocery store for local residents and a strategic stop for visitors. It is located in the heart of Waimea town, on the main road that leads to Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park. The store includes a range of departments such as produce, meat, seafood, a bakery, and a pharmacy. It also offers prepared foods, fresh leis, and fishing supplies. Big Save is a member of the Kauai Grown and Kauai Made programs, featuring local products throughout the store.
Visitor experience
For travelers, Big Save Waimea serves several key purposes. It is the most comprehensive supermarket on the West Side for stocking vacation rental or condo kitchens with groceries, drinks, and other essentials. Its "Taste of Times" deli and kitchen is a popular spot for picking up ready-to-eat items like sushi and plate lunches, which are convenient for picnics at the beach or in Waimea Canyon.
The store provides a practical, local shopping experience rather than a curated tourist-focused one. In addition to groceries, visitors can find useful services like a water refill station, an in-store ATM, fresh flower leis, and basic fishing supplies. The early opening hour makes it a common first stop for those heading out for a full day of hiking or sightseeing on the west side.
Important Update: A notice on the official website states that until further notice, the Waimea food service counter will only offer grab-and-go items, with no plate lunch or hot food selections available. This should be verified before a visit if hot food is the primary goal.
Logistics
Location: 9861 Waimea Rd, Waimea, HI 96796, on the main highway (Kaumualiʻi Highway/HI-50) through Waimea town.
Hours:
- Regular Hours: Open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
- Holiday Hours: The store has reduced hours on major holidays and is closed on Christmas Day. Confirmed holiday hours include: Thanksgiving (5 am - 7 pm), New Year's Eve (5 am - 10 pm), and New Year's Day (5 am - 9 pm).
Parking: There is a free parking lot on-site.
Duration: A quick stop for snacks and drinks might take 15-20 minutes. A full grocery run could take 45-60 minutes.
Timing: The store is busiest in the late afternoon and early evening (around 5-7 PM) when residents are shopping after work. Early mornings after the 5 AM opening are typically the least crowded.
Cost: Prices are typical for a standard Hawaiian supermarket, which is generally higher than on the US mainland. Weekly ads with specials are available online.
Safety and cautions
Pricing: Visitors should expect to pay more for groceries than they might at home. This is standard across Hawaii due to shipping costs.
Bag Policy: Hawaii has a plastic bag ban. Shoppers should bring reusable bags or be prepared to purchase them at checkout.
Prepared Foods Availability: The official Times Supermarket website has a specific, undated alert for the Waimea location stating that the food service counter is not offering plate lunches or hot food, only grab-and-go items. This is a significant change from the typical visitor experience and its current status should be verified by travelers planning to purchase a hot meal.
Cultural Norms: Purchasing fresh leis is a common practice. As they are perishable, it's best to buy them shortly before they are needed or given.
Editorial take
Who it's for: Big Save Waimea is essential for travelers staying in Waimea, Kekaha, or other parts of the West Side. It's the best one-stop-shop for provisioning a rental with a kitchen. It's also an indispensable and convenient last stop for anyone—regardless of where they are staying—to grab drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and supplies before driving up to Waimea Canyon or Kōkeʻe State Park.
Who should skip it: Visitors looking for a gourmet market or specialty food items might be better served by shops in Koloa, Poipu, or Lihue. Travelers staying on other parts of the island who can provision at a larger store like Costco or Safeway in Lihue may find prices here comparatively higher for a large shopping trip. It is a practical supermarket, not a destination for boutique shopping.
Don't confuse with: While in Waimea, do not confuse Big Save with Ishihara Market, another well-known local store just down the road famous for its excellent and wide variety of fresh poke. For a full grocery run, Big Save is the choice; for a top-tier poke bowl, Ishihara is the destination.
Source notes
- Times Supermarket (Official - Waimea Store Page): Provides official hours, address, departments, and services available. Crucially, it hosts the alert about the suspension of hot food service.
- Times Supermarket (Official - Departments): General overview of the departments available across the Times/Big Save chain.
- Times Supermarket (Official - Holiday Hours): A page listing holiday hours for all Big Save locations, confirming Waimea's schedule.
- Kauai Made: Confirms that Big Save Markets are part of the program to support local products.
- Kauai Grown: Lists Big Save as a retail partner for locally grown and raised products.
- Kauaʻi Connect: A local directory that confirms basic hours and location information.
