Overall:
Dole Plantation (Dole Plantation)

Dole Pineapple Plantation

Highlights:
  • Pineapple garden maze
  • Insight on various fruits and plants grown in the region
  • Scenic tour of the surounding
Description:
Dole Plantation began in 1950 as it operated as a food stand. Since, it has become a very popular attraction on Oahu. Visitors of the Dole Pineapple Plantation can experience a fun day trip and learn about the history of pineapples in Hawaii. Everything from the agricultural aspect, the soil chemistry, and the tale of James Dole.

Dole Pineapple Plantation is but two miles away from the town of Haleiwa and a 45 minutes drive from Honolulu. The train ride to  the plantation offers the opportunity or some scenic views which can leave you breathless.

The Pineapple Garden Maze, which obtained the spotlight in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest maze in the world can also be seen at Dole Plantation. Going through the maze made of green hedges, twists and turns can have you painfully seeking the way out! The maze covers more than two acres and incorporates 1.5 miles long.

Many different activities can be undertaken while at the plantation. The garden tour will have you explore many other plants and trees, some native to the region others brought to the country.  They include, bananas, cacao, coffee, papaya, mango and lei flowers.

The plantation also has a visitor center where snacks and drinks can be obtained or simply for relaxing. A gift shop provides the perfect opportunity for obtaining pineapple-related gifts and other souvenirs. It is thought that the first pineapples were planted on the island when a shipwreck coming from Mexico brought with it plants, tools, garments and pineapples. From then on, Spanish explorers started growing pineapples and other fruits. Jim Dole, then pioneered the pineapple industry and established the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Hawaii.

Various activities are organized on the plantation subject to a small fee. Some of the activities even include a stop to Pearl Harbor or scenic excursions of the surrounding. Dole Pineapple Plantation is world famous and a distinct attraction of Oahu, Hawaii.
 
Type:
Botanical Garden
Cultural
Historic
Plantation / Ranch
Features:
Bathroom
Food for purchase
Parking
Wheelchair access
Hours:
Day
Time
Daily9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Plantation Road, North Shore, Wahiawā, Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States 96786
Reviews
16 reviews, 0 comments
Overall:
(2.6 of 5)
Not what I was expecting
Overall:
Not what I was expecting. Seems to have become more commercialized.
Reply
0
2
Only go if killing time, hour drive each way from Honolulu
Overall:
Only go if killing time, hour drive each way from Honolulu. 20 minute pineapple express train is cute seeing the crop fields but really takes an hour. Get your snacks & ice cream before 5 because they close shop right on time. If you have Go Oahu card better deal since includes other stuff.
Reply
0
2
Nice spot to visit though it felt more like a touristic checklist item
Overall:
Nice spot to visit though it felt more like a touristic checklist item. Whilst the fruit was delicious I would only suggest visiting the plantation if you have kids or the weather is too hot to be hiking or on the beach in the afternoon as it's a nice break from the ocean or mountains.
Reply
0
2
This is a nice family friendly place to visit when in Oahu
Overall:
This is a nice family friendly place to visit when in Oahu. The parking lot can get jam packed during peak hours. They have a large gift shop with all things pineapple. They also have a little snack bar where you can get a pineapple ice cream or a fresh cut pineapple. Their main attraction is their hedge maze. I did not get a chance to do it but it looks like someone could spend a few minutes, or ... morea few hours in it.
Reply
0
2
Visiting the plantation was awesome, so many different fruits and fishes
Overall:
Visiting the plantation was awesome, so many different fruits and fishes. The Pineapple ice cream is delicious. Each time I with to take other visitors fot a tour, I must have the pineapples ice cream. The train tour is very informative and educational as you enjoy the beaauty of growing plants.
Reply
0
2
The famous pineapple ice cream alone is worth 5 stars
Overall:
The famous pineapple ice cream alone is worth 5 stars. It has a very vibrant pineapple flavor and tastes amazing. But the maze, train, and garden are more for the kids and rather steep in price but fun overall.
Reply
0
2
Very touristy
Overall:
Very touristy. We had two adults and two children. The train ride was informative, but the "musical interludes" were terrible. The garden was mostly dormant and the audio tour portion was broken. Super crowded gift shop. Dole Whip was nothing special.
Reply
0
2
Coming from the continental America and living in a city, seeing a pineapple plantation is definitely
Overall:
Coming from the continental America and living in a city, seeing a pineapple plantation is definitely an experience. Very touristy and pricey experience though. I would say its more fun for kids. You can try there all kinds of food with pineapple and buy pineapples of course. Taking a tour on plantation itself takes quite some time that can be spent on the beach. So its your choice.
Reply
0
2
It is waste of time to drive there and spend there any time
Overall:
It is waste of time to drive there and spend there any time. Staff is cheating. It could happen what you you will wait for the train 2 hours and cause of "more important" customers and staff will come every 10 minutes that they need 10 more minutes..... Long lines everywhere. NO NATURAL FOOD AVAILABLE only garbage/box/fast food. (you can buy a pineapple, but you have to clean/peel it on your own) ... moreI would recommend to spend your time anywhere else..... on some local farm...
Reply
0
2
Highly disappointing - fields bare and over priced to see nothing
Overall:
Highly disappointing - fields bare and over priced to see nothing. I guess you have to go at the right time of year for it to be worth it
Reply
0
2
Going to the plantation was ok, but not worth it
Overall:
Going to the plantation was ok, but not worth it. All the staff there were nice, but their garden we paid 5$ per person was terrible. We ate lunch wich was decent, but the ice cream was terrible. If you really want to waste part of your day going there I sugest just doing the 20 minute train ride.
Reply
0
2
This place was awesome
Overall:
This place was awesome! I didn't do the maze or the train or the gardens. But ate the Kalua pork and it was DELICIOUS! I also had a pineapple whip (or whatever it is called) and it was perfect.
Reply
0
2
We paid $5 to see the saddest tropical garden in Hawaii
Overall:
We paid $5 to see the saddest tropical garden in Hawaii. The low light was two rusted pieces of pineapple harvesting equipment with flat tires. I was mildly interested in knowing more about pineapple harvesting, but the signage offered no real information. The tour handsets didn't work and the booth attendants couldn't have cared less. If you like shopping, mazes and tiny train rides, maybe this is ... morethe place for you. But if you want to know more about how a pineapple plantation works, don't waste your time.
Reply
0
2
I was very disappointed with the plantation
Overall:
I was very disappointed with the plantation! I was really excited to go, but I saw more flowers waking around my friends neighborhood than I did in the gardens and we ended up getting a refund for the train because the wait was so long! The dole whip and the koi pond were the only good parts. Don't pay for any of the tours!
Reply
0
2
Total tourist trap
Overall:
Total tourist trap. Skip this place and spend the day doing something fun, you're in Hawaii for god sake! You can buy pineapple and crappy junk anywhere. The ice cream is good if you've never eaten ice cream before and have no idea what good ice cream is.
Reply
0
2
Unless you have little kids, don't waste your time
Overall:
Unless you have little kids, don't waste your time. Paid full price to wait over an hour for the train ride because one "engine" was down. Also paid full price for the garden tour that was supposed to have an audio component only to find out that the all of the audios were out of commission. None of this was mentioned at the time of ticket purchase! A tourist racket to say the least. If you must go ... morestop in for the pineapple whip with fresh pineapple and then continue on your journey!
Reply
0
2