As the years have passed, Hawaii’s agriculture has become closely associated with everything Hawaii – from the locally grown coffee to papaya that grows freely all around the islands. For locals, these fruits and vegetables help to nourish and feed on a day to day basis, giving a reliable, sustainable source of food that has been, and will continue to be, relied on for many years. One of the fruits that is most closely associated with Hawaii is the pineapple, and during any sightseeing trek around the island, the Dole Pineapple Plantation is a must see site and stop.
Pineapple production in Hawaii dates back for over 100 years, peaking in the mid-1900s, and continuing to this day, though in a much lower quantity. Despite the significantly reduced farming and exporting of the fruit, it has remained a staple for locals and visitors to Hawaii. In its heyday, the demand for pineapple was so great that the entire island of Lanai was dedicated to pineapple production, owned and operated by the Hawaii Pineapple Company, helping to supply the world with pineapples.
Located on Oahu, the Dole Pineapple Plantation is solely dedicated to sharing the history of the pineapple in Hawaii. From endless rows of plants to the former canning factories, all pineapple production was found on the site of the current park, and was one of the biggest employers on the island. Today, takes visitors through the lifecycle of the fruit, and the plantation features many incredible sites, including a variety of pineapples from around the world, the largest outdoor maze, a train ride around the plantation, and many delicious treats that are prepared with fresh, locally grown pineapple.
Though pineapple production is not what it once was, approximately 400 million pineapples are produced each year in Hawaii. Though this is quite impressive, the number represents less than 1 percent of the global pineapple production. Sadly, the last cannery that operated in Honolulu closed in 1991, and the last production of canned pineapples was moved out of the islands in 2008.
The Dole Pineapple Plantation is one of the most popular stops on the northern part of the island. Found while driving from Honolulu to the North Shore, it provides a rest point and great place to explore while driving, and is included as a featured stop on ant Circle Island Tour of Oahu. Of the great options at the plantation, tasting the treats is one of the favorites. These incredibly delicious treats include the famous Pineapple Whip, pineapple chocolates, cookies, and an assortment of candies. And the best part just might be that you can purchase a pre-packaged pineapple that is ready to ship back home, saving you the hassle of packing it or packaging it for shipment yourself.
Your tastebuds will thank you for a trip to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and you will not get enough of the interesting facts about the pineapple. Spend a little time here and you will have an entirely new take on the pineapple and its importance to Hawaii, and you will love indulging in the delicious tastes of fresh pineapple while you’re here.
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Oahu tours and Oahu activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance, especially our top seller Sea Life Park Luau. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
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