TL;DR Travels

Your TL;DR Travel Guide to this EcoTourist Destination on the Island of Maui

TL;DR: While planning what to do in Maui this summer, you might hear about the Maui Pineapple Tours. For $75 a person, you can book a tour through the Maui Gold Pineapple Company and get an up-close look at pineapple production in Hawai’i. As an ecotourist destination, the Maui Pineapple Tour showcases the vital farming industry, led by experts who are passionate about their work, at this locally-owned and operated farm. As a bonus, you get a free pineapple at the end of the tour (and they are delicious).

1. The History and Legacy of Maui Gold
2. The Logistics
   1. At A Glance
   2. How to Book a Tour with Maui Gold
3. What to Expect at Maui Gold Pineapple Farms
4. The Verdict: Is Maui Gold Pineapple Farms Worth It?
5. From the blog

Potentially controversial question – what do you think about pineapple on pizza? Seriously, though, I never understood how strongly people reject the idea of sweet pineapple on more savory pizza – obviously, I’m a fan.

Honestly, I just love pineapple.

And the pineapples on Hawai’i just hit different – especially Maui Gold.

On my last visit to Maui, we booked a pineapple tour in Makawao, an agricultural community on the northwestern part of Maui. And while I didn’t have too many expectations (other than that there’d be pineapples…) I was pleasantly surprised. This ecotourist and educational destination was certainly worth the ticket fee.

But while the tour was right for me, is it the right move for you? Personally, I say yes – but read on to learn a little bit more about this Maui tourist destination.

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The History and Legacy of Maui Gold

Once upon a time, Maui’s economy was bolstered by the canned pineapple industry. Eventually, however, this began to fall off and the Maui Pineapple Company shifted to focus on producing and shipping fresh fruits, developing the Maui Gold pineapple variety in the process. However, with a struggling US economy, the company moved to shut down operations in 2009 after dominating the pineapple production scene.

So, if the company stopped growing the pineapples, then how come they are still around? Well, two directors who worked in the Maui Pineapple Company decided that simply wasn’t good enough. Darren Strand and Rudy Balala gathered enough investors to keep the farm running. Today, thanks to their efforts to preserve the industry and protect jobs, the Maui Pineapple farm is now locally run and operated.

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The Logistics

How to Book a Tour with Maui Gold

To book a tour, visit here.

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What to Expect at Maui Gold Pineapple Farms

After parking and getting checked in, everyone is called up in groups to meet their bus driver. I was really lucky and was on Rudy Balala’s, the general manager who has been featured in Forbes, tour group – and my goodness is this man a wealth of knowledge.

The buses are smaller and run on the warmer side, so I was grateful to have some water with me. From there, the various guides set-off to several stops around the farm. They share information on:

• The history behind Maui Gold
• The work they’re doing to preserve their farmland and protect their legacy
• What it takes to grow pineapples
• How they prep and ship their pineapples out for production
• How to pick a ripe pineapple (SUCH an important lesson)
• How to properly cut a pineapple (also, so important)

And, of course, some samples along the way.

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The Verdict: Is Maui Gold Pineapple Farms Worth It?

While some people may think $75 is pricy for a tour, keep in mind that it DOES come with a pineapple (airport- ready) and your funds are supplementing whatever profit they normally make from selling their produce – which helps support the workers, community, and local economy. And – I’ve gotten to know/work with a few farmers over the years – farming is EXPENSIVE.

Private surfing lessons, ziplane tours, and ATV adventures can run well over $100 (and those are fun activities as well – just using them for price comparison). If you want to include an educational activity, you’re looking for a more laid-back travel adventure, or you just love pineapples, then you might want to consider adding this tour onto your itinerary.

For individuals with mobility concerns, the tour (the buses, specifically) is unfortunately not ADA accessible. I did see individuals of varying ages, including families traveling with elder members who chose to stay inside the bus on certain portions of the trip (rather than step outside and stand during some of the stops) so that may be an option for anyone in your party who wants to join in.

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Maui Gold Pineapples are a pineapple game changer – and the opportunity to tour the farm and see things firsthand is wonderful. For around $75 a person, individuals can book tours through their website to add an educational and delicious activity onto their travel itinerary. While the tour currently may not be accessible to those with various mobility needs, it is one that the whole family can enjoy. With over 4,000 reviews and a 5 average rating on trip advisor, many people – not just me – found the entire experience charming.

If you’re looking for other ecotourist stops in Maui, consider heading over to the Maui Tropical Plantation, which offers a plethora of produce and botanical sights to see.

Happy Adventures! And be sure to come back to this post and let me know how your trip went.