Hawaii’s
Back yard
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Isle has long been
known for pineapplePineapple may be native to Brazil, but it has become as much a Hawaiian icon as sun, surf and sand. There's no official record of exactly when or how the tart golden fruit came to Hawaii, but historians believe it was in the cargo of a Spanish trading vessel sailing from Mexico in 1527. The ship sank in a storm off the Big Island's South Kona coast, and pineapple floated to shore. It has been firmly rooted in island soil -- and history -- ever since.
In 1900, Harvard graduate James Dole bought a 61-acre tract of Wahiawa land and established his first pineapple plantation. Today, Dole Food Co. grows 3,100 acres of pineapple on Central Oahu's plains.
Surrounded by these fields, Dole Plantation opened as a fruit stand in 1950. Owned and operated by Castle & Cooke Properties, it now meanders over 240 acres, giving 1 million visitors annually insight into the role pineapple and other agricultural crops have played in Hawaii's history and economy.
"There's lots to see, do and learn at Dole Plantation," says Dole Plantation operations manager Susan Harada. "It's the perfect attraction for families. Many visitors discover the plantation as they're driving around Oahu. They get out of their cars thinking they'll be making a 30-minute pit stop and wind up spending at least a few hours here."
DOLE PLANTATION
An aerial view of the Dole Plantation Maze shows a pineapple of hibiscus, heliconia and pineapple at its center.
The plantation's famous Pineapple Garden Maze covers more than two acres and has a path length of 1.7 miles. It comprises 11,400 colorful plants, including hibiscus, heliconia and, of course, pineapple. The center of the maze is in the shape of a huge pineapple made of crotons with a crown of agapanthus.
"Six hidden stations along the way provide clues to get you through the maze," Harada said. "Families, especially children, enjoy the maze. Most of the parents take twice as long as their kids to find their way out. The record time to complete the maze is around six minutes, and the average time is 45 minutes."
You also can board the Pineapple Express train for a 2-mile ride through parts of Dole Plantation never before seen by the public. The 20-minute tour features pre-recorded narration by the acclaimed island music trio Na Leo Pilimehana. The women intersperse stories about pineapple and Hawaiian agriculture with upbeat songs, including one they wrote just for the train tour, "The Pineapple Express." Spectacular views are unveiled along the way, including a picturesque reservoir, the majestic Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges, and pineapple fields stretching as far as the eye can see.
ON THE PLANTATION Garden Tour, you'll explore eight small gardens: Life on the Plantation, Native Species Garden, Irrigation, North Shore Agriculture, Bromeliad Garden, Ti Leaf Garden, Lei Garden and Hibiscus Garden. In each one you'll be rewarded with close-up looks at an assortment of fruits and vegetables, native Hawaiian plants and tropical flora.
Flourishing in the North Shore Agriculture Garden, for instance, are crops farmers are growing in the Wahiawa-to-North Shore area, including taro, banana, papaya, mango and coffee.
The Lei Garden flaunts fragrant patches of pikake (jasmine), plumeria, tuberose and other flowers commonly used in leis.
In the Bromeliad Garden, you'll admire stunning examples of the species. They're popular in landscaping and floral design because of their hardiness, ease of care and wide variety of shapes and colors. Pineapple is probably the best-known member of the bromeliad family.
The Irrigation section includes a storyboard that describes how local plantations irrigate their fields. Networks of ditches and tunnels divert water from mountain streams. Dams and reservoirs store some of this water for use during months when rainfall is low.
DOLE PLANTATION
It can take anywhere from six to 45 minutes to make your way through the Dole Plantation Maze. The maze will host its sixth birthday bash on April 3.
AMONG DOLE PLANTATION'S other intriguing diversions is the Pineapple Variety Garden, which spotlights more than 20 kinds of pineapple from around the world, including Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, South Africa and the Philippines. Don't miss the Pineapple Growth Stages Display, which summarizes how a pineapple plant develops in the 20 months that pass between planting and picking.
Additional educational exhibits discuss the history and origins of pineapple; harvesting and packing procedures; James Dole's contributions to the pineapple industry; and the impact of pineapple on Hawaii's economy and people. Demonstrations show how to select and prepare pineapple.
Exuding the charm of a country market, the Plantation Center sells local handicrafts, Dole logo items, pineapple juice, pineapple baked goods and snacks, and Dole Whip, a refreshing pineapple-flavored soft-serve treat.
Here, you also can purchase fresh pineapple to take home or to be delivered, packed and passed through agricultural inspection at the airport. (Dole Plantation sells more than 3,500 fresh pineapples every week.)
"Dole Plantation tells the whole story of pineapple in a fun, exciting way that appeals to all age groups," says Harada. "Over the past 54 years, from its modest beginnings as a solitary fruit stand, it has truly grown to be Hawaii's 'Complete Pineapple Experience.'"
Dole Plantation
Address: 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, WahiawaHours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Admission is free. Entry to the Pineapple Garden Maze is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 through 12. Pineapple Express Train: $7.50 for adults and $5.50 for children. Plantation Garden Tour: $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Keiki under 4 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Phone: 621-8408
E-mail: sales@dole-plantation.com
Web site: www.dole-plantation.com
Looking ahead: The sixth-birthday bash for Dole Plantation's Pineapple Garden Maze takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 3. It will feature free crafts for kids; Dole Plantation's mascot Pineapple Pete; an air bouncer; a Country Market featuring fresh produce, flowers and baked goods; food and drinks; and entertainment. There will be two-for-one admission to the maze and garden tour, and special fares for the train ride ($5.75 for adults and $4.50 for children). Call the number above for more information.
Choosing the perfect pineapple
Generally, you want to select a pineapple that is plump and fresh-looking. In other words, the leaves in the crown should be fresh and green, and the body of the pineapple firm.Keep in mind a large pineapple does not necessarily mean the fruit will be better tasting or any riper than a smaller pineapple. Also, the color of the shell is not necessarily a sign of maturity or ripeness. A pineapple can be ripe when the shell is practically all green.
Once the pineapple is picked, it will not ripen any further or get any sweeter, so the sooner it is eaten, the better. If you don't plan to use a fresh pineapple right away, store it in your refrigerator. It will keep longer.
Courtesy of Dole Plantation
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Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.
