Spinach

Encompasses true spinach in cooler sites, plus spinach alternatives like Malabar spinach in lowland areas. Farmers meet ongoing demand from local health-conscious buyers.

True spinach tends to bolt in warmer climates, so it often appears seasonally or in controlled environments. Malabar spinach, conversely, thrives in heat, offering a perennial vining option with a similar leafy texture. Both forms are sold at farm stands, markets, and to restaurants that emphasize local produce. Given rising interest in nutrient-dense foods, spinach occupies a stable niche where growers adapt varieties and methods to suit Hawaiʻi Island’s diverse climates.