Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Dole Plantation Oahu Day 9!

Getting lost in Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii

Before we heading to Dole Plantation on Day 9 of our 13 days Hawaii Travels, we headed to 2 famous dining spots to have our brunch. First up was Ono Seafood where we tasted its poke…

Ono Seafood Honolulu Hawaii
Ono Seafood Honolulu Hawaii
Ono Seafood Poke
Ono Seafood Poke

The poke was actually quite good. The fish was fresh and the sauce was tasty (even came with bits of ginger). However, if you ask us which is the best poke so far, we’ve got to say that it’s definitely Sun Dried Specialties at Big Island. The version at Ono had a minus, which was the texture being a little “slimy” as the fish was drenched in the specialty sauce. Nonetheless, a hearty brunch to kick start our day!

Address: 747 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm (Except for Sundays 10am to 3pm – Closed on Tuesdays)

Next, we headed to Leonard’s Bakery to try out its famous Dobash-filled Malasadas! Coincidentally, they’re ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor and for good reasons as well…

Dobash at Leonard's Bakery Hawaii
Dobash at Leonard’s Bakery Hawaii
Close up of Dobash Malasadas from Leonard's Bakery
Close up of Dobash Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery

The malasadas (Portuguese Donuts) at Leonard’s Bakery has been a local fixture since the 1950s. Popular with both locals and visitors alike. On first bite, the outside of the malasadas had a firm but sweet taste while the inside was oozing with rich creamy dobash. Definitely a must-try if you’re in the vicinity.

Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA
Opening Hours: 5:30am to 10pm daily

Dole Plantation | Travel Hawaii

Dole Plantation was originally not on our itinerary. However, given that we had an option to do so, we decided to pop over since we’re already in Oahu.

2bearbear @ Dole Plantation Hawaii
2bearbear @ Dole Plantation Hawaii

There are 2 main attractions (besides the train ride in the pineapple fields during harvesting) at Dole Plantation. The Pineapple Garden Maze as well as Dole Whip – a creamy soft serve made from its very own pineapple juice and only served in Hawaii and Disneyland Anaheim.

Kate at Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Kate at Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Getting lost in Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Getting lost in Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii

At the Pineapple Garden Maze, you’ll be given a tiny map that includes all the check points within the maze. We tried as closely as possible not to take “short cuts” (where paths are narrow enough for you to squeeze through) but at some points during the maze, you’ll really get lost, even with the map! Nonetheless, we managed to reach all the check points which describes the various islands of Hawaii…

Lanai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Lanai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Oahu Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Oahu Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Molokai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Molokai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Nihau Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Nihau Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Kauai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Kauai Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Kaho Olawe Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Kaho Olawe Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Hawaii (Big Island) Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Hawaii (Big Island) Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Maui Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii
Maui Check Point of Pineapple Garden Maze Dole Plantation Hawaii

Next we headed to grab our Dole Whip – lined with fresh pineapples from Dole Plantation, before embarking on the Pineapple Express to tour Dole Plantation…

2bearbear having Dole Whip @ Dole Plantation Hawaii
2bearbear having Dole Whip @ Dole Plantation Hawaii
Pineapple Express Dole Plantation Hawaii
Pineapple Express Dole Plantation Hawaii
All aboard the Pineapple Express!
All aboard the Pineapple Express!

Address: 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786, USA
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 5:30pm daily
Fees: Pineapple Express – $10.50 , Plantation Garden Tour – $7, Pineapple Garden Maze – $8 (You can also get all two/three attractions at a discounted rate)

As it wasn’t the harvesting season, pineapples were really small. Though there were other fruit plantations around, the Pineapple Express did not live up to expectations. Nonetheless, for the kids, it was a blast! Hear the shouts (and excitement) of the kids in these clips…


Pineapple Express Dole Plantation Train Ride 1


Pineapple Express Dole Plantation Train Ride 2

If you missed taking photos with the beauty bark of the gum tree, you can find some of them at the end of the train ride…

Gum Tree at Dole Plantation Hawaii
Gum Tree at Dole Plantation Hawaii

Thereafter, we checked into our hotel and Hotel Ilima. Though a little dated, the hotel does have a swimming pool, a rooftop views of the mountains as well as a great location, minutes from “downtown”…

Studio of Hotel Ilima Honolulu Hawaii
Studio of Hotel Ilima Honolulu Hawaii
Kitchenette Hotel Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Kitchenette Hotel Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Bathroom  Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Bathroom Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii

Rooftop view  Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Rooftop view Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Swimming Pool Bathroom  Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii
Swimming Pool Ilima Hotel Honolulu Hawaii


Video Tour of Studio Room of Hotel Ilima Honolulu Hawaii

Because of its great location, we were just minutes away from Marukame Udon. Similar to concepts in Singapore, Marukame serves up delicious authentic udon with lightly crisp tempura…

Entrance of Marukame Udon Hawaii (End of the Queue!)
Entrance of Marukame Udon Hawaii (End of the Queue!)
Menu of Marukame Udon Hawaii
Menu of Marukame Udon Hawaii
Chefs in Marukame Udon Hawaii
Chefs in Marukame Udon Hawaii
Selection of Tempura at Marukame Udon Hawaii
Selection of Tempura at Marukame Udon Hawaii
Delicious Curry Udon at Marukame Udon Hawaii
Delicious Curry Udon at Marukame Udon Hawaii

The curry udon was one of the best we’ve had in a while. The “bouncy” texture of the udon in rich curry sauce and sprinkled with tempura bits made this dish irresistible. Definitely a must-try while in the vicinity. However, the queue may be quite long. Be prepared for 30 minutes wait at peak hours…

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Stay tuned as we head to Kauai as we round up our 13 days of travels in Hawaii!

Other Posts from 13 Days Hawaii Travels

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Big Island Hawaii Day 1!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Big Island Hawaii Day 2!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Big Island to Maui Day 3!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Road to Hana Maui Day 4!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Haleakala National Park Maui Day 5

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Arrival in Honolulu Oahu Day 6

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Diamond Head and Waikiki Honolulu Hawaii Day 7

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Hanauma Bay & Maui Brewing Day 8!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Dole Plantation Oahu Day 9!

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Chilling at Kauai Shores Day 10

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Kauai Coffee & Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa Day 11

Travel Hawaii in 13 days: Luau at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Day 12

Top 10 Things to do in Hawaii ( A Pictorial Review)!

Top 4 Things to do in Big Island Hawaii!

Top 3 Things to do in Maui Hawaii!

Top 5 Things to do in Oahu Hawaii!

Top 3 Things to do in Kauai Hawaii!

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