If there’s one thing you think of when you think of Hawaii…it just might be pineapple.

Surprisingly, pineapple isn’t native to Hawaii, but thanks to Dole, the two have become inextricably linked.  

You’ve probably heard about the Dole Plantation on Oahu (it’s mostly just a tourist trap these days), but I’ve got something better for you. How about a real, working pineapple farm that grows most of the pineapple that’s actually consumed in Hawaii??

The Maui Gold Pineapple Company (locally owned and operated) is a 1,350 acre pineapple farming operation located on the slopes of Haleakala at Hali’imaile. And you can tour it! 

This is not a cheesy, touristy experience. It’s a real working farm tour.

The Maui Pineapple Tour is probably my top “off the beaten path” thing to do on Maui. 

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Maui Pineapple Tour Details

Here are the details: 

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours and is offered multiple times a day but I recommend booking the first tour of the day (9:30 AM) for the coolest temperatures. 

There are about a dozen or so people on the small air conditioned bus that takes you out into the pineapple fields. You get on and off the bus at different points, but there’s not much walking and you’ll be able to leave your bags/water on the bus. 

Call ahead before you book your tour to pick the best day. Last time I did the tour they were only picking pineapple on Monday-Thursday and that’s definitely something you’ll want to see if possible. 

The tour includes a peak into the packing facility and everyone goes home with their own Maui Gold pineapple!

The tour costs $95/adult and $75/child. 

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For an extra $17 you can also add on a tour of the Hali’imaile Distillery that uses Maui Gold pineapples to make its spirits. Kids of all ages can go on the tour (12 and under are free), but have to be 21+ to go into the tasting room.

And I would definitely pair this whole experience with lunch at the Hali’imaile General Store across the street. It’s one of my favorite restaurants on Maui. 

A few of my favorite moments from the tour: Hearing the history of pineapple in Hawaii, watching them pick pineapple, eating as much pineapple as we wanted straight from the field, planting a pineapple starter, seeing nene birds, and making a stop to see some of the best views of the island. 

Fun Fact: Hummingbirds are illegal in Hawaii! Since hummingbirds are such major pollinators, they can really change the characteristics of pineapple and experts have worked for years to get the Maui Gold variety just perfect so since it’s an island, they can just prohibit them from being brought in. If you ever eat a pineapple and it has little black dots, that means it’s been pollinated by a hummingbird!

You can book the Maui Pineapple Tour here. 

* I mentioned pairing the tour with lunch at the Haliimaile General Store, but if you’re looking to make a day out of it, here’s a few other things in the area: 

• Shopping in Paia Town
• Drive up Olinda Road through the Upcountry
• Twin Falls past Haiku
• See the turtles at Ho’okipa Beach or Kuau Beach
• Shopping and art galleries in Makawao

Want the full plan, not just this post?

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably actually planning a trip to Maui…not just daydreaming. So here’s the thing: what you just read is a small piece of what I know about this island.

I’ve been visiting Maui for years, and I put everything…the itineraries, the hotel breakdowns, the restaurants actually worth your time, the spots most visitors never find…into one guide. It’s 75+ pages, built around real day-by-day plans (not just a list of “things to do”), plus an interactive map so you’re not toggling between five browser tabs trying to piece your trip together.

It’s the guide I wish I’d had on my first few trips here.

See what’s inside the Maui Guide → HERE