Honolulu Off The Beaten Path Tips by Rixie

Ukulele Factory, Windward Side

If you're musically inclined or interested in handicrafts, take a tour of Kanile'a Ukulele, a family owned business in Kaneohe, on the windward side of the island. See my Kailua tip.

Be A-Mazed

The Dole Plantation is at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa, in the middle of the island. The plantation bills itself as being "the complete pineapple experience" and includes the World's Largest Maze.

Basically, the maze is a 3D game. You go in, locate all of the stations that are hidden in the maze, stamp your card at each one to prove that you found it, and find your way out as quickly as you can.

This is great fun for people like my husband and children, who have a good sense of direction, but a nightmare for direction-impaired people like me. If I hadn't accidentally stumbled upon an exit, I would probably still be in there. Don't believe the winning times that are posted at the ticket window; I'm positive they're made up! The maze is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Adults - $5, children - $3.

The Center includes the Dole Giant Vegetable Garden, history display, gift shop, and snack bar. A 20 minute train tour and a pineapple garden tour about local crops are also offered at additional cost.

Website: http://www.dole-plantation.com/

Take a Step Back in Time

Hawaii's Plantation Village in Waipahu is a recreation of a sugar plantation of the early 1900s that chronicles the contributions of immigrant laborers from many countries, including China, Portugal, Japan, Puerto Rico, Okinawa, Korea, and the Philippines. This living history museum includes original and replica homes and buildings dating from 1900-1930, and a Hawaiian botanical gardens. Good experiential education for children!

Open Monday–Friday 9-3, and Saturday 10-3. Closed on Sunday.

Adult (general) $13.00
Seniors (62+ with ID) $10.00
Kama'aina/Military (with ID) $ 7.00
Youth (4-11 years of age) $ 5.00
Children (3 and under) FREE

Guided tours every hour, starting at 10:00 and ending at 2:00. Groups (5 or more) and individuals requesting tours in a non-English language should call for reservations.

Driving directions from Honolulu/Waikiki: Take H-1 West and take Exit # 7 --Waikele/Waipahu. Turn left at the stoplight onto Paiwa Street. Turn right at the 5th traffic light onto Waipahu St. (Hans L'Orange Park is on the corner). Continue past 2 traffic lights (passing the Filipino Community Center). The entrance to the Village is on your left, at 94-695 Waipahu Street.

Getting there by bus: From the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, take bus #43 and tell the driver you are going to Hawaii's Plantation Village. Buses run about every half hour.

Other Contact: Email: hpv.waipahu@verizon.net

Phone: (808) 677-0110

Website: http://www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org/