The Dole Plantation is one of Oahu's most popular tourist destinations. Here, visitors can learn about James. D. Dole, founder of the Dole Food Company. A Harvard University graduate, he arrived in Honolulu in 1899 with only $1,200 and proceeded to launch Hawaii's pineapple industry single-handedly on the 60 acres of rich red soil where the Plantation now resides.
Today, the Dole Plantation combines elements of farming, a historical museum and a theme park into one "Complete Pineapple Experience.'' Unique activities, educational displays, shopping and dining draw nearly one million visitors a year.
One of the most popular attractions here, the Pineapple Garden Maze, opened in 1998 and was expanded in 2007. Covering more than two acres with a total path length of 3.11 miles, it is among the world's largest mazes, using 14,000 colorful Hawaiian plants, from hibiscus to panax and, of course, pineapple.
The center of the maze is shaped like a huge pineapple, made up of croton with a crown of agapanthus. There are eight secret "stamp stations'' hidden along the route for visitors to find and mark their progress. Prizes are awarded to those who complete the course and collect all eight stamps the fastest; winners' names are listed on a sign at the maze entrance. To date, the fastest times are around seven minutes, with averages closer to 45 minutes or an hour.
Another special attraction is the Pineapple Express Train Tour. Since 2002, this 20-minute, two-mile ride around the Plantation has introduced visitors to acres of lychee, banana, mango, papaya, cacao and coffee, as well as the famed Dole pineapple fields and views of the Wai'anae and Ko'olau mountain ranges. The little train cruises at a top speed of eight miles an hour.
One other popular activity is the Plantation Garden Tour. Offered since 2003, it provides visitors with glimpses into the past and present of Hawaiian agriculture. The focus is eight themed mini-gardens: Life on the Plantation, Native Species Garden, Irrigation, North Shore Agriculture, Bromeliad Garden, Ti Leaf Garden, Lei Garden and Hibiscus Garden. Weather permitting, guests are invited to plant their own pineapples, too.
Following the tours, visitors may wish to stop by the Plantation's country store. It features native Hawaiian crafts, Hello Kitty-Dole Plantation clothing and gifts, and pineapple-themed baked goods, as well as snacks, Waialua coffee and chocolate, and the popular DoleWhip, a refreshingly cold juice drink. Items are displayed on antique tables and in baskets and traditional wooden bins that would have been seen in the plantation stores of years past.
For dining, the Plantation Center offers a "Grown in Hawaii'' lunch menu. It includes Teri Chicken, Kalua Pig and Mahi sandwiches, Teri Burgers with cheese, and a number of salads using ingredients from the islands.
Wall-mounted displays in the Center chronicle the history of pineapple growing, while experts are on hand to advise on choosing and preparing pineapples. Of course, most visitors cannot leave without purchasing a freshly picked pineapple, which staff members are happy to pack for agricultural inspection at the airport.
Although admission to Dole Plantation is complimentary, there are fees for entrance to the maze, the train ride and garden tour. These range from $4 to $7.75 for adults and $3.25 to $4.75 for youth aged 4~12. Children aged 3 and under are admitted free of charge.
Dole Plantation is located at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa, HI 96786, just three miles north of Wahiawa and ten minutes by car from Haleiwa and Oahu's North Shore. The opening hours are 9am to 5:30pm daily, with extended hours till 6pm June through August.
