Dole Plantation Tour- Honolulu, HI

Dole Plantation Tour
Oahu, Hawaii

Welcome to the Dole Plantation Tour. It is one of many great Oahu tours. In 1950, the Dole Plantation was just a simple fruit stand. In 1989, the Dole Plantation underwent a huge renovation effort to become what is now known as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience”. In 1997, the Dole Plantation underwent another renovation effort to give it an old Haleiwa Town look and feel.

The Dole Plantation Tour now offers a wide variety of attractions and activities to all age groups. These include the “Pineapple Express” which is a two-mile, twenty minute tour narrated by Naleo Pilimehana.

Along the way, you will learn about the history of the pineapple, pineapple cultivation, James Drummond Dole, the sugar industry and Hawaii’s diversified agriculture.

Another attraction is the Plantation Garden Tour. This is a self-guided tour. You can walk through a variety of gardens.

As you stroll along the North Shore you will learn about hibiscus (the official state flower), some of the native species indigenous to Oahu, irrigation techniques, learn about over 3,000 different types of bromeliads, the ti leaf and what life on the plantation is like as well as the history of those who came from all over the world to work here.

The best known attraction is the Pineapple Garden Maze. It was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for being the world’s largest maze in 2001. The Plantation Garden Maze is located directly on the Dole Plantation, covers over two acres, has a path that is 1.7 miles long and is created by 11,400 of Hawaii’s fruit, plants and flowers.

Those who successfully navigate the maze without help will receive a coupon for 15% off any retail item on the Dole Plantation making your Honolulu tour that much more rewarding.

There are also a plethora of presentations and displays offering information about the pineapple, the history of the Dole Company and the plantation center. Here you can find hundreds of pineapple food products and Dole brand items. The Dole Plantation sells over 3,000 pineapples every week. Other Dole products are canned by the Dole cannery located in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is available through other Hawaii tours.

No one really knows where the pineapple came from. It is believed that they originated in Paraguay. During the 15^th and 16^th centuries, pineapples made their way across continents by way of trade ships. The pineapple is first thought to have reached Hawaii in 1527.

A Spanish adventurer named Francisco de Paula Marin arrived in Hawaii in 1794. He soon befriended King Kamehameha the Great. Together, they were involved in many things. One of those was experimenting with raising pineapples.

Although it was Captain John Kidwell who is credited as being the founder of Hawaii’s pineapple industry, James Drummond Dole was the pioneer of the pineapple industry and known as the “Pineapple King”.

If you're looking for a great place to bring the family, or for a dollop of Hawaiian history, the Dole Plantation Tour is something you will certainly enjoy!