Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Operating Since 1900
If you’re headed to Oahu, chances are a stop at the one and only Dole Plantation is on your to-do list. If so, know that it is most certainly Oahu’s juiciest attraction!
Dole Plantation Brief History
In 1899, a young Massachusetts native named James Dole used his savings and moved to Honolulu. He eventually purchased a 64-acre homestead in Oahu’s central plains and experimented with several crops, finally choosing to grow pineapple. The business grew rapidly as Dole launched ad campaigns in magazines (the first consumer ad campaign in the US), invested in modern machinery to process the crops, and obtained significant financial backing in order to purchase more land to farm. He also began to ship the pineapples great distances, thanks to the budding trans-Atlantic aviation industry. By 1950, a small fruit stand was erected so that everyone could savor the plantation’s tasty fruit. Then, in 1989, a plantation-style home was built to serve as a living museum to James Dole’s work and to welcome pineapple lovers from around the globe. Today, the Dole Plantation is one of Hawaii’s top attractions.
Dole Plantation Things to Do
Of course, pineapple is king here and delicious offerings abound. Be sure to try the famous DoleWhip- heavenly! Then, tour the fields and lovely gardens and learn about Hawaii’s fascinating history, agriculture, and traditions. You can even have fun getting lost, enjoy a delicious meal, and do a little shopping. And don’t forget to pick up at least one fresh pineapple to enjoy back home!
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Pineapple Express Train Tour
The whole family will love this two-mile narrated ride through the fields in a vintage-style train to see how pineapples and other crops such as bananas, starfruit, sugarcane, and more are grown and harvested. Round out the trip with a yummy slice of pineapple.
Plantation Garden Tour
Stroll through the eight different gardens at the plantation and enjoy an up-close view of the plants that form the basis of so many delicious treats featured on-site, such as a wide variety of tropical fruits and cacao pods used to make Waialua’s famous single-estate chocolate. You’ll also enjoy the scents of beautiful flowers used to make leis, such as plumeria and pikake.
Pineapple Garden Maze
The Guinness Book of World Records declared this the world’s largest maze in 2008, and it’s sure to be a favorite of adults and kids alike. Enjoy a plethora of tropical plants- all 14,000 of them- as you wind your way through and search for directional clues. You can even try your hand at finishing in record time and get your name recorded on a sign at the maze entrance.
Eats, Treats, Souvenirs, and More!
Grab a bite at the on-site restaurant featuring traditional fare as well as island favorites. Then, head to the country store for a little shopping, where you’ll find clothing, food, and hundreds of unique pineapple and Hawaiian products.
