The Hawaii Farm Bureau has received a $29,000 federal grant to open a farmers market in Wai'anae.

The market, which would likely open early next year, would be the bureau's fourth on O'ahu and the first to target an economically depressed area. West O'ahu also geographically complements the bureau's three existing markets, which are held at Kapi'olani Community College, Mililani High School and behind Longs Drugs in Kailua.

"Wai'anae was something we, in partnership with the (state Department of Agriculture) decided would be a great location," said Brian Miyamoto, a spokesman for the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

The farmers market promotion grant awarded by U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund start-up costs, and it's hoped the market can be self-sufficient. The new market, which is planned for Wai'anae Harbor, initially will open once a month or once every two weeks until demand warrants a weekly market.

The bureau's largest farmers market is held Saturdays at Kapi'olani Community College. That market has 40 to 50 venders and draws about 3,000 customers.

The farm bureau still needs to enlist a Wai'anae entity willing to coordinate the market and to work out a lease agreement with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The bureau hopes the harbor will give the Wai'anae farmers market a distinct feel, Miyamoto said.

"We're looking at more of a fresh seafood-type farmers market," he said. "It's going to take a lot of work."

Gary Maunakea-Forth, managing director for Ma'o Organic Foods in Wai'anae, said he'd be interested in a Wai'anae market, though the farm is "sort of tapped-out now."

Ma'o's customers include local restaurants and grocers such as Whole Foods Market, which expects to open in Kahala next year.

"There's a definite interest" in Wai'anae for a market, he added. However, success would "depend on the time and the location and the product mix," Maunakea-Forth said. "You'd like to have good products from the start, otherwise people won't come back."

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.