Dole Plantation is a classic sightseeing spot renowned as the epicenter of Hawaii pineapples.
While Hawaii imports most of its food from the U.S. mainland and elsewhere, thanks to Dole the island’s pineapple supply is 100% local.
Originally a small gift shop in the Wahiawa area, it has since become an expansive pineapple plantation as far as the eye can see.
The grounds offer plenty of attractions beyond souvenirs and pineapples, including a maze, a train, and garden tours.
It’s a facility that anyone from children to adults can enjoy, so be sure to stop by when sightseeing the North Shore!
Pineapples at Dole Plantation
Dole Plantation’s most popular item is the cut pineapple and soft-serve combo!
Pineapple and soft-serve are especially delightful in Hawaii’s heat.
It’s very rich in flavor but not cloyingly sweet, so it’s easy to enjoy.
The service counter is always crowded with tourists seeking pineapple, but if you go around to the back it is usually less than half the wait time, so it’s recommended.
For the adventurous, there is also the enormous Pineapple Split soft-serve dessert (recommended for sharing among seven or more).
It features a halved pineapple filled with heaps of cut pineapple and topped with three kinds of soft-serve stacked like a tower—a must-try for Hawaii.
If you can share it with a group, it makes a great travel memory and is excellent value.
Attractions at Dole Plantation
You can experience a variety of attractions at Dole Plantation.
Taking time for the Pineapple Train, the maze, and the garden tour is one option to enjoy your visit.
Pineapple Express
The train attraction is enjoyable not only for children but surprisingly for adults as well.
It runs on roughly 30-minute intervals, with 20 minutes of sightseeing and 10 minutes for boarding and disembarking.
The route makes a full loop of about 3.2 km around the pineapple fields.
Besides running through pineapple fields, you can enjoy a variety of Hawaiian plants and rural scenery.
When it’s busy, waits to board can exceed an hour, so you may want to check how long the line is before buying a ticket.
Pineapple Garden Maze
The maze is so huge it was recognized by Guinness in 2008 as the world’s largest maze.
From above it is actually shaped like a pineapple.
With a total length of about 4 km and an estimated completion time of around 45 minutes, it is intricate enough to satisfy adults.
There are eight secret checkpoints along the way where you can confirm your route like a stamp rally.
There are events where you can win prizes if your time to the goal is good.
Pineapple Garden Tour
This attraction lets you stroll while learning about pineapples.
However, the garden tour does not include a guide; instead, many signs are posted throughout the garden for you to read and explore at your leisure.
So, of course, it is free!
You can actually see pineapples, learn how harvesting machines work, and discover the origin stories of pineapples—details you normally wouldn’t know.
Pineapples take 18 months until the first harvest, and from one planting you can harvest about three times over roughly four years; the pineapple harvested on the third time is the sweetest and most delicious—this is exclusive information for this article!
Souvenirs at Dole Plantation
Dole Plantation has a massive souvenir section!
In fact, the entire building is a gift shop filled with pineapple-themed products.
Because it’s pineapple-themed, many items are primarily yellow, but there are also collaboration items with other brands, so there’s plenty to enjoy.
If you want a classic souvenir, the limited-edition T-shirts printed with “Dole” are a safe bet.
There are so many varieties that you won’t see the same ones too often, and it might be fun to buy matching shirts for family or friends.
Basic 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 |
| Duration | Approximately 30 minutes and up |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Website | Official website |
Recommended Transportation to Dole Plantation
Surrounding Area of Dole Plantation
Oahu North Shore – Complete Guide to Recommended Attractions