The state has granted the Hale’iwa Farmers’ Market a third time extension, through May 27, to give it more time to work out details of its move to a new location.

This Sunday had been the the final schedule day for the market at the junction of Kamehameha Highway and the Joseph. P. Leong Highway. But the state announced today it would give the market two additional Sundays, May 20 and 27.

"We are very pleased that we have been able to work cooperatively with HFM (Hale’iwa Farmers’ Market) to achieve this result," Attorney General David Louie said in a news release. "We understand that HFM is very close to finalizing arrangements for its new location, and that some additional time is needed."

"I’m very supportive of our local farmers and vendors, who are an important part of the community," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie, "and I’m pleased at the efforts that have been made to resolve this situation."

The market was told about a month ago that it had to move from the site. The state said it was in violation of laws related to vending from highways, and was operating on a site that creates a hazard and risk to drivers on the bypass road as well as pedestrians crossing the road to reach the market.

For the past three years, the market has operated at the triangular site at the junction of Kamehameha Highway and Joseph P. Leong Highway, known as the Haleiwa bypass.

About 70 small businesses participate in the weekly farmers market, which usually attracts more than 2,000 people, the owners said.