Dole Plantation is a classic tourist destination, overwhelmingly famous as the headquarters of pineapple in Hawaii.
While Hawaii imports most of its food from the U.S. mainland and other places, thanks to Dole, the island’s self-sufficiency rate for pineapples is 100%!
Originally a small gift shop in the Wahiawa area, it has now expanded into a vast pineapple plantation that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The plantation is filled with attractions like a maze, a train ride, and a garden tour, making it much more than just a place for souvenirs and pineapples.
It’s a facility that everyone from children to adults can enjoy, so be sure to stop by when you’re sightseeing on the North Shore!
Pineapple Treats at Dole Plantation
The most popular item at Dole Plantation is the fresh-cut pineapple and soft-serve combo!
Pineapple and soft serve are exceptionally refreshing in the Hawaiian heat.
It has a very rich flavor, but it’s not overly sweet, making it incredibly easy to eat!
The main sales counter is always crowded with tourists lining up for pineapple, but here’s a tip: if you go to the back counter, the wait time is often less than half.
For those up for a challenge, there’s also the “Pineapple Split,” a massive soft-serve creation recommended for sharing among seven or more people.
It’s one of Hawaii’s biggest treats: a pineapple cut in half, filled with heaps of pineapple chunks, and topped with a tower of three different soft-serve flavors.
If you can share it with a large group, it’s great for making travel memories and offers excellent value for the price!
Attractions at Dole Plantation
At Dole Plantation, you can also experience a variety of attractions.
Taking your time to enjoy the Pineapple Express train, the maze, and the garden tour is a great option!
Pineapple Express
This train attraction is fun not only for kids but, surprisingly, for adults as well.
The ride lasts for 20 minutes, with 10 minutes for boarding and disembarking, and it runs approximately every 30 minutes.
The train travels on a 2-mile (3.2 km) loop around the pineapple fields.
It doesn’t just go through pineapple fields; you can also enjoy views of various Hawaiian plants and the rural scenery!
When it’s crowded, the wait to board can be over an hour, so it might be a good idea to check how long the line is before buying your tickets.
Pineapple Garden Maze
This enormous maze was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2008 as the world’s largest!
It’s actually shaped like a pineapple when viewed from above.
With a total path length of about 2.5 miles (4 km), it takes around 45 minutes to complete and is intricate enough to satisfy even adults.
There are eight secret stations hidden inside, so you can track your progress as you find each one.
There’s even an event where you can win a prize for finishing with a fast time!
Plantation Garden Tour
This is an attraction where you can take a stroll while learning about pineapples.
However, it’s not a guided tour; instead, you can wander freely through the gardens and learn from the many informational signs posted throughout.
And because of that, it’s completely free!
You’ll find a wealth of information you wouldn’t normally encounter, like seeing pineapples up close, learning how harvesting machines work, and discovering the origin story of the pineapple.
It takes 18 months for a pineapple plant to produce its first fruit, and once planted, it can be harvested three times over about four years. Here’s a little insider tip just for our readers: the pineapple from the third harvest is the sweetest and most delicious!
Souvenirs at Dole Plantation
Dole Plantation also has a huge souvenir section!
In fact, the entire main building is a gift shop, lined with a wide array of pineapple-themed products.
Since it’s all about pineapples, many products are yellow, but there are also collaboration items with other brands, so there’s definitely plenty to enjoy!
If you’re looking for a classic souvenir, you can’t go wrong with an exclusive T-shirt printed with the “Dole” logo.
There’s actually a surprisingly large variety of designs, so you’re not likely to see many people with the same one. It could be fun to buy matching shirts with your family or friends.
General Information for Dole Plantation
| Name | Dole Plantation |
| Address | 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Closed | Christmas Day |
| Time required | Approx. 30 minutes or more |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
| URL | Official Website |
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