Hawaii Plantation Village
Hawaii Plantation Village
4.5
About
A sugar cane plantation village with 30 homes open to the public for viewing.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
162 within 3 miles
Attractions
50 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
212 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
70
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
2
aristoLX
Santa Ana, CA401 contributions
Oct 2022
As a history buff, I was looking forward to this place. The indoor museum exhibits were excellent, but unfortunately we arrived too late to browse at leisure before our tour. The tour of the village was interesting; the buildings are historically accurate and furnished with authentic items. However, our guide was new and couldn't answer many of the questions asked (and also talked about herself a bit too much). Perhaps why some people left early - our group dwindled from 8 down to 2 (my party). Minus one star for that. (I hope this was a fluke; if not, the museum needs to improve their guide training. If they can't answer a question, they can offer to check and get back (via text/email), or refer the person to another staff member, etc. - instead of leaving us wondering (or possibly feeling brushed off).)
If you book a guided tour, come at least an hour early to thoroughly browse the museum before the tour, to get historical/cultural context for what you'll see in the village. The village homes are modeled after "camp" housing where field laborers lived (engineers and managers lived elsewhere). The museum exhibits are great; there is even one on Oahu's WW2 internment camp. If you book the 10 am tour and are driving from Waikiki, allow ample time as Honolulu has heavy traffic during morning hours (at least until downtown Honolulu; after that you'll be going against traffic).
If you book a guided tour, come at least an hour early to thoroughly browse the museum before the tour, to get historical/cultural context for what you'll see in the village. The village homes are modeled after "camp" housing where field laborers lived (engineers and managers lived elsewhere). The museum exhibits are great; there is even one on Oahu's WW2 internment camp. If you book the 10 am tour and are driving from Waikiki, allow ample time as Honolulu has heavy traffic during morning hours (at least until downtown Honolulu; after that you'll be going against traffic).
Written November 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jen
Oswego, NY3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We arrived at 12:15 and had just missed the 12 PM tour. We looked in the museum until the 1PM tour. Both the museum and tour were very informative covering the migration of workers into Hawaii.
We enjoyed our 2 hours there and our guide fed the fish as we were passing the ponds so we saw a Kingfisher have a fishy snack.
I definite stop if you are interested in a bit more than sand and surf.
We enjoyed our 2 hours there and our guide fed the fish as we were passing the ponds so we saw a Kingfisher have a fishy snack.
I definite stop if you are interested in a bit more than sand and surf.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff R
Celebration, FL2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Booked the guided tour - TOTALLY worth it! It wasn’t just someone telling you history - our guide was sharing HIS history. His family lived the life and told the stories. Great “off the beaten path” place to get a feel for what Hawaii was really like over a century ago.
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Larry M
Vancouver, Canada345 contributions
Jan 2022
I really struggle with this one. The "Village" has two parts; the "museum" where you check in, and the "village" where docents discuss plantation life. The "museum" part was very interesting, and we would have liked to have spent more time exploring it. The "village" part, not so much. The docent leading the tour needed more training on focusing on the matter at hand, not her personal experiences and life. What was expected to be a 90 minute tour stretched on, and we bailed after two hours, in order to catch the bus back to Waikiki before rush hour.
The village is definitely worth going to for the "museum" section, and maybe a self directed browse through the buildings, if that's even possible.
The village is definitely worth going to for the "museum" section, and maybe a self directed browse through the buildings, if that's even possible.
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CJ112015
Lexington, MA128 contributions
May 2021
Let’s begin with…you need to be interested in Hawaii’s agricultural history, I.e. sugar plantation and how it influenced immigration by the Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean and Puerto Rican people in order to enjoy this tour. It is run by a nonprofit so not polished, not rehearsed and not choreographed - just plain history about hardworking people, the discrimination they faced, their hard lives and their culture. Take was our guide today- knowledgeable, well paced and so very patient with the group of 9 peppering him with questions. Informal, interesting and low-key.
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris B
Los Angeles, CA45 contributions
Aug 2022
Our guide Gary was the epitome of a Hawaiian tour guide. He was intimately familiar with the island and could "talk story" for hours. He was very knowledgeable about the island's history, myths, and superstitions. I highly recommend visiting the Plantation and learning about the multicultural contributions to make Hawaii what she is today.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA7,821 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
The plantation era of Hawaii, when cane and pineapple ruled, helped to shape the unique culture that defines our 50th state. This tour provides an informative background of all the different people's who came over to work in the fields, and shows how they lived.
There are representations of all the types of residences where the field workers lived, furnished with items unique to their particular ethnicity. Among the groups shown here are Chinese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Okinawan, Japanese, Puerto Rican and Portuguese.
Our guide, Gary, was wonderful. He'd grown up in such a village and talked vividly about what those times were like. And he explained how influence from the myriad of the worker's cultures was still present in today's Hawaii.
There are also some taro fields, a fish pond, and a gift shop as well. Tours are optional, but highly recommended. Be sure to reserve in advance, as they are very popular.
There are representations of all the types of residences where the field workers lived, furnished with items unique to their particular ethnicity. Among the groups shown here are Chinese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Okinawan, Japanese, Puerto Rican and Portuguese.
Our guide, Gary, was wonderful. He'd grown up in such a village and talked vividly about what those times were like. And he explained how influence from the myriad of the worker's cultures was still present in today's Hawaii.
There are also some taro fields, a fish pond, and a gift shop as well. Tours are optional, but highly recommended. Be sure to reserve in advance, as they are very popular.
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RLD808
Oahu, HI5,846 contributions
Nov 2022
This is a true hidden gem and I can't believe I never heard about it after living here for decades. The history story they tell about the old Hawaii plantation days and how it started is just amazing. You can learn a lot about how all the people who immigrated to Hawaii, help build it's unique multinational culture and unique island life.
The place is a bit out of the way and you really need use Google Maps or some similar app to find it. It isn't hard to get to, but just not easy to find on your own given it's location. Once there, it is pretty easy to figure out how to get back out to where you came from.
This recreation of what it was like during those days isn't a Disneyland type of excursion. It is really tells the raw history of everything that transpired during those times. They village gives you a good idea of what life might have been like, but I'm sure it wasn't as pretty despite how they keep the place to look as authentic as possible.
I think this place is more for adults, but probably a good education for teens who are interested in history and culture. You'll need to plan for time to read the different exhibit information and do some walking. This was a great find for us and I do highly recommend it for others.
The place is a bit out of the way and you really need use Google Maps or some similar app to find it. It isn't hard to get to, but just not easy to find on your own given it's location. Once there, it is pretty easy to figure out how to get back out to where you came from.
This recreation of what it was like during those days isn't a Disneyland type of excursion. It is really tells the raw history of everything that transpired during those times. They village gives you a good idea of what life might have been like, but I'm sure it wasn't as pretty despite how they keep the place to look as authentic as possible.
I think this place is more for adults, but probably a good education for teens who are interested in history and culture. You'll need to plan for time to read the different exhibit information and do some walking. This was a great find for us and I do highly recommend it for others.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Swimmerfly
Allentown, PA49 contributions
May 2021
This isn't a very well-known tourist spot but is a super way to learn about some of Hawaii's agricultural development. Families with small children may not wish to choose this, depending upon their kids' interests. A guided walking tour is available. If you have the time, it is helpful to read the background information provided in the museum prior to walking the grounds. It is amazing to learn about the history of the sugar industry in Hawaii and gives you insight into the multicultural population that forms the basis for the present Hawaiian state - as native Hawaiians suffered elimination from various diseases brought to their islands by overseas explorers, immigration of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Puerto Rican, Filipino and even Portuguese people supported the sugar industry during its heyday. Prejudice was rampant as the industry strove to survive. This fascinating, informal tour takes a little over an hour but is worth it to appreciate the island history. Be aware that this site is only open on weekdays with limited hours (10AM-2PM, if I recall).
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophie
Olympia, WA5 contributions
Dec 2020
My friends and I were the only ones to visit the plantation today and the staff was so happy to see us! Lance gave us a wonderful tour and was very knowledgeable, adding anecdotes of his personal experience. He was so personable and really demonstrated the spirit of Aloha.talking story with him was a highlight of my trip!
Because of Covid they have very few visitors. This is a safe, outdoor, place to witness realistic replicas of the plantation dwellings. I learned so much and really recommend the tour to anyone who wants to learn more about Hawaii’s diverse history— great for kids too!
Because of Covid they have very few visitors. This is a safe, outdoor, place to witness realistic replicas of the plantation dwellings. I learned so much and really recommend the tour to anyone who wants to learn more about Hawaii’s diverse history— great for kids too!
Written December 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carolle C
Crabtree, Canada
Est-ce qu’il est possible de faire une visite en français? Merci
ClaudiaHampsher
Chicago, IL56 contributions
On your website, you give the guided tour information, but what are your hours of operation? If your last tour is 2PM, do you close at 3?
AprilFool27
California212 contributions
When we went, they did close after the last tour which we were on. The village would not be meaningful without a tour and I would encourage going in the afternoon as they cater to school groups. This was a surprisingly worthy activity especially if you are staying in the KoOlina area.
John S
Kapolei, HI146 contributions
Sorry you didn't get the correct bus to the Village. There is a bus stop right near the entry. Next time, if there is one for you, just ask "THE BUS" driver which bus and connection you need to get to the Hawaii's Plantation Village...most all bus drivers and riders are helpful if you ask.
j
Hawaii Plantation Village (Waipahu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Hawaii Plantation Village
- Hotels near Hawaii Plantation Village:
- (4.59 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei
- (7.95 mi) 5-STAR Oceanview 3-Bedroom Villas in Ko Olina
- (8.00 mi) Beach Villas at Ko Olina
- (8.07 mi) Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
- (5.67 mi) Embassy Suites by Hilton Oahu Kapolei
- Restaurants near Hawaii Plantation Village:
- (0.25 mi) Rocky's Coffee Shop
- (0.23 mi) Hashi Okazuya
- (0.26 mi) Tiano's Restaurant
- (0.29 mi) Da Ultimate Grindz Hawaii
- (0.47 mi) Highway Inn