Hawaiian Railway Society

The Hawaiian Railway Society train tour was an average experience for us, mainly because our expectations were quite high. We were hoping to enjoy coastal views throughout the ride, but unfortunately, those views appeared only at the very end—and just for a few minutes. For a 2-hour journey, it didn’t feel fully worth it. Most of the ride offered mountain and inland views, which were nice but not what we were expecting. The stop for ice cream midway was okay and added a small break to the journey. Overall, this tour might be more enjoyable for families with kids or for those simply looking for a relaxed train ride, but it may fall short if you’re expecting scenic coastal views the entire way.

The train ride was nice and informative. The young lady that narrated during the trip was able to give information about some of the less scenic parts of the trip to maintain my attention. Overall the it was nice and relaxing. Just the right amount of time. There's some parts with beautiful views. There's also a brief stop for a drink or ice cream for the kids on the way back. Overall I would recommend. The did offer a Veterans discount.

This was my second time on this scenic train tour. Loved the history, narrative and stops. Highly recommend. I love my musubi snack on the train!

We had such a wonderful experience with the Hawaiian Train Society! The ride was not only fun but also offered some truly beautiful views along the way. The stop at Aulani was a perfect touch—we got to enjoy some refreshing treats before continuing on. What really stood out, though, was the staff. Every single person we interacted with was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and went out of their way to make the experience memorable. They are a shining example of the warmth and hospitality that makes Hawaii so special. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting! Get there a little early so you don’t miss the museums and be sure to support them by buying some of their merch like their T-shirts, which are so cool

Our family visit to the Hawaiian Railway Society was a delightful journey back in time, and it was especially memorable for our train-loving grandad. This charming attraction offers a unique glimpse into Hawaii's rich railway history, making it a fantastic outing for all ages. The highlight of our visit was the scenic train ride along the historic tracks. The vintage locomotives and beautifully restored train cars took us on a leisurely journey through picturesque landscapes, complete with ocean views and historical landmarks. The ride was both relaxing and informative, with friendly guides sharing fascinating stories and historical insights along the way. the stop for ice cream and coffee on the return trip was a welcome addition the kids loved. The Hawaiian Railway Society offers a charming and educational experience that’s perfect for families, especially those with a love for trains. The combination of history, stunning views, and the joy of a train ride made it a memorable day for our train-loving grandad and the whole family. We highly recommend it to anyone visiting Oahu!

My sister pleasantly surprised my daughter and I with this remarkable piece of history! Hawaiian Railway Society has the only active railway on Oahu. It is placed on the State and National registers of Historic Sites! Our family friendly, fully narrated ride was 2 hours round trip with awesome views of the Waianae Mountain range and ocean at Kahe Point. A special treat was our stop at Ko Olina for ice cream, refreshments, and shopping. We also enjoyed the gift shop and running vintage locomotive room after the tour. This is a must for all. I encourage kama’aina to look into this hidden gem!

I liked it because I hadn't seen it before but TBH there wasn't really much to see except back lots and dried shrubs...the ppl were nice. We road in the parlor car, which was much less crowded. I think I would go back because the money is helping to keep that part of history alive and that right there is what makes it a worthwhile journey.

I know this is a nonprofit, so I’m trying to be fair, But this was a crazy experience for us. We live on the island so we were looking to reschedule since it had been raining for two days and there was a flood watch. Even with pouring down rain they did not reschedule/refund tickets. (you only get a refund if they cancel) It was a little unclear where we were supposed to meet. there were no specific signs that we saw. Some people stood under the awning by Starbucks, and another group stood at the end of the Monkey Pod restaurant near the tracks, in the rain. Once the train showed up and the other passengers disembarked, we were handed a Ziploc bag with our tickets, a little bit of candy and some souvenir POGs, which was nice. The train staff was very friendly and apologetic. Luckily, we took a towel, a poncho and our umbrella because as the train moved, the rain would hit us. One of the train employees tried to wipe the seats down for everyone with a towel, however, one gentleman was wearing an all white outfit, and some of the paint from the seat was rubbing off on his jacket.All the passengers were soaked and because of the time of year, cold. Their employees were drenched. The narrator didn’t narrate the whole first half because the microphone kept shorting out in the rain and shocking her. We did the Ko Ólina pick up, so we left the station to the left and the only thing you see going in that direction Is overgrown grass, homeless encampments, rusted grocery carts and the back of buildings painted with graffiti. There might’ve been more historical significance to the area, but without narration that’s all you’re looking at. At the end of the first leg, you can get out and they gave us only six minutes to go inside the Gift Shop, which is very minimal. They had snacks and 2 restrooms. There was at least 20 people inside trying to use the restrooms. (Very small space) They told everyone on the train that the miniature train museum was closed, but in fact it was open. (Check the website) So I ran in there quickly, and This is one reason why I gave an additional star. The miniature train museum was so cool and the kids would’ve really enjoyed it. Check the times that it opens and closes because it closed shortly after we left the station at 3 PM, so if the train is running late, we would’ve definitely missed it. I’m not sure why they told everyone it was closed. Once back on the train, we go back the way we came, seeing all of the same things, but once we reached the original location, they continued on through the golf course to the other side, where you get to see the coastline. With it being rainy, it wasn’t the spectacular views that you see in their advertisement, but it was still nice to see the ocean and the coast. We even saw whales. But that was probably ten minutes of the entire trip. Once we headed back to the station, the same way we just came, we disembarked. My husband was the last one to get off the train, and it was so rainy that after everyone came off the train trampled through the mud, he slipped off the last step, falling face first and was covered head to toe in mud. Thankfully, he was OK and only bruised his leg and maybe his pride, but there was some children and elderly people that could’ve been really bad. No one checked on him. In summary, IMO, They should have rescheduled or refunded the tickets when it was raining that bad. This is not the typical Hawaii sprinkle that we get daily, this was full on rain. It was not enjoyable and the ocean views that you would normally get, you didn’t. We were all soaked and cold. The girl getting shocked, and my husband falling, proved that that was a potentially dangerous situation. The city needs to clean up all that debris and support this nonprofit and its efforts to show Hawaii while taking a fun train ride. Even if the rain wasn’t happening, I can’t say that I would spend the money again to do that. There wasn’t enough of the coast view or enough time to look at their museum to make it worthwhile.

We finally did the Hawaiian Railway train ride after living nearby for a while and waiting for family to visit. It's a really cool activity if you're on this side of Oahu. The ride itself takes about 2 hours. Buying tickets online was super easy, and when you check in they give you these nice physical tickets as souvenirs. Parking is small but manageable if you come early. Before the ride, we checked out the toy train museum, which is small but really fun to see. Knowing it was one man's personal hobby collection before it became a museum makes it even more impressive. There's also grass and picnic tables if you're waiting, and you can grab snacks (chips, popcorn, drinks) to bring on the train. The train cars are open-air. With a toddler, I wished we had brought a carrier to keep him a little more contained (he wiggled at the start, but then fell asleep!). The beginning of the route isn't particularly scenic -- in fact, it's a bit rough and not the prettiest stretch of the island. I'd read reviews where people complained, but honestly, I kind of liked imagining what it must have felt like 100 years ago, when the railroad was actually used. It feels more "real life" than something built just for tourists. Once you get closer to Ko Olina, the views get nicer, and the last stretch along the ocean is beautiful. There's also a stop in Ko Olina for snacks/ ice cream/ coffee, which was a nice break. People wave at the train as it goes by, which adds to the fun. There was a guide giving historical info, but the sound wasn't great where we sat at first. On the way back we switched seats and could hear better, but still not super clear. Overall: it's not a polished, perfectly curated "tourist attraction." It's a bit raw, sometimes even with trash along the route. But it's history, it's real, and it's being kept alive by people who care.

Decided to take a ride on the Hawaiian railroad. As we pulled up there is plenty of parking. Prices were not that bad and it's a fun ride for the kids as well. The narrator was very informative when she narrated about the places we were passing by. In my opinion I expected a bit more in the scenery but it definitely was a relaxing ride. They do a stop halfway in Ko Olina so you can stretch a little and have some delicious ice cream.

This was our third ride of the Hawaiian Railway Society train. The second time we took my parents from the mainland, and they just loved it. This last time was a haunted train ride for Halloween! We booked well in advance for the event which took place the weekend before Halloween. We booked a 7p ride on Friday. The tickets were only $5 each, which I thought was great! We arrived early to look around the train yard. They had cool, spooky decorations and vendors selling snacks and food. We boarded the train and took off! The ride was about 20-30 minutes and they had a narrator telling spooky tales over the loud speaker. They also had about 4-5 scenes along the way of "scary" things happening that we passed by, like a fake sacrifice, lol. They even had an actor bang on the side of the train to scare everyone. My toddler was a little bit afraid, but when we told him it wasn't real, he just laughed. It was a great family activity for Halloween. Afterwards, we walked around, bought snacks, played giant Connect Four, and hung out on the picnic benches before calling it a night. I love this local, historic place and hope to come back for years to come.

Beware that this is not much of a "scenic" train ride. You do get to see the ocean for maybe 5 minutes of the 2 hour ride. We definitely felt a little bamboozled. It was more of a junkyard train ride. If you are going because you love trains & that is all you care about, great but if you are expecting great views, you wont find it here. I would save your money.

We didn't ride the train, but my 5 yo loved the train room. There were many intricate layouts and he could have really stayed for hours. One cool part is that they allow kids to control some of the trains, too. This room looks recently renovated, too. Amazing displays including both vintage and new trains. I would try and come after the departure of the first train because it can get crowded. We came at 2pm and my son, who is used to quiet train rooms, was annoyed by how many people were here The gift shop also carries Tori Richards train shirt made especially for the HRS. They are made in Hawaii!

I've always wanted to take my son here but due to it being so far and the times it would depart, we never got a chance to until we were invited to a birthday party here. The train left at 11 but before then we all gathered by a little picnic spot they had to grab our lunches before riding the train. The ride was about 90 mins long. On our way back, my son fell asleep because it was nap time but the ride was very relaxing. It luckily wasn't too bumpy as I was 6 months pregnant. Luckily the women heard my friend asking me about the pregnancy so she recommended that I sit in a car with more people so it wouldn't be as bumpy. The kids enjoyed their time on the train. This place is perfect to celebrate a birthday for a kid who loves trains. There is also a little shop and a museum you could check out.

We made a reservation online to play tourist for a day. I recommend this short train ride to get a little history lesson. I would take friends who visit me from the mainland on this ride.

It was our first time on the Hawaiian Railway Society, and my toddler had a great time! We chose the 12 noon ride on a Saturday as it was most convenient for her nap schedule. The ride starts in Ewa Beach and there is a small ticket office/gift store (with restrooms inside), toy train museum, picnic area, and snack bar to explore while you wait. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to purchase tickets if you did not make advance reservations. Boarding is 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. The toy train museum was small but really amazing with multiple friendly volunteers available to answer questions. There are a few interactive areas where kids can flip levers to make certain trains start and stop. The train ride itself was enjoyable (albeit slightly bumpy), and our particular ride was very empty with only 1-2 families per train car. We brought a whole picnic lunch to enjoy while we rode as you are allowed to bring any food/drink on board other than alcohol. Would highly recommend sitting on the shady side of the train car the entire time. The views on both sides were similar and not worth the heat to switch sides, in my opinion. Along the way, there was narration about the sights we passed and some fun stories too. The route went from the station in Ewa all the way to Kahe point (Electric Beach) then to Ko'olina for a 25 min ice cream break at Black Sheep Cream Co. before returning to the station. The total trip was about 2 hours. Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $13 for children (2-12), and $13 for seniors (over 62). Ice cream cost is not included. Overall fun outing for the entire family!

What a fun hidden thing to do while you're near Kapolei/Ko'Olina in Oahu! If you like historical trains that take you along the beach and different parts of that area, you should go for a ride! As you're arriving to the location where you can buy the tickets to ride the train you'll see they have a store front with items ranging from candy, souvenirs, and a snack bar outside. Also if you want a sure thing in your time slot, you can always make a reservation and pay when you arrive to ensure you have a ticket! There's also a restroom inside the shop if you need to use it before the ride. Train times do change during the seasons, but this is what they are currently: Wednesday 1 pm Saturday 12 Noon and 3 pm Sunday 1 pm and 3 pm Ticket prices: $18 Adults $13 Children (2-12) $13 Seniors (Over 62) We ended up doing the AM slot time to get it done early so we can enjoy the rest of the day. This place is basically being run by volunteers, so great! They will explain the history about the train and how it started as it moves along the track. It does a pit stop over my Aulani Disney resort for 30 mins to grab some essentials like ice cream or grab snacks from the ABC store. Or if you have a kid who wanted off and are already staying at Aulani, can end the train trip there haha luckily my husband just stuck through the ride back there to get our rental car back. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this for anyone who's looking for something different to do for a few hours!

good ole style of train ride took grandkids too long w/o pee stop. just saying kids and old peeps need lots of pit stops to stretch as well

Such a great experience, the keikis loved it. The little mini train exhibit is a must visit before you leave

The Hawaiian Railway Society is a great place to get out relax on a train ride and see some coastline and ride through the Ko Olina golf course, etc etc. It is an actual old narrow guage railway used to support the various farms in the area in the late 1800's and early 1900s. They stop in the Ko Olina at the Black Sheep icecream shop halfway which is nice but if you prefer a cold beer do to the monkeypod and buy one! No alcohol is allowed on the train. And keep in mind that all of the funds are used to support this piece of history. The folks are very friendly and its a fun, relaxing ride. Highly recommend it versus others.

We primarily went for our two littles, but the adults had just as much fun! The train ride was full yet there was plenty of room. Bring a cushion and/or towel to sit on. Our towels became very handy when it began raining. The train goes one way for about 45 minutes, everyone switches sides, then it goes back to the beginning for another 45 minutes. About halfway through the second trip we stopped in Ko Olina for ice cream. Unfortunately, Black Sheep Cream Co. did not have any dairy free options. We learned a lot about the history of the area and the railway during our trip, and one of the littles got a toy when the ride finished. Worth going at least one time!

Hawaiian Railway Society Many times within the past 5 years, I would see the train stop around Ka Makana Alii, Kapolei Costco, or in Koolina. I'd wonder, where is the train station and what does it cost? Now that my daughter is now almost 5 years old, I figured it would be a good time to find out and take her on this cute little outing. It's quite easy, just Google "Train Oahu" and the third one is Hawaiian Railway Society. Their website reads that reservations are highly recommended, but I didn't want to have to make reservations in advance because I wanted to consider weather. Since it is open air and partially covered, there's chance of getting wet in the rain or sunburnt on a hot cloudless day. I took note of their schedule and on a perfect, partly cloudy day, with cool trades blowing, we drove out to Ewa 2 hours before departure and took a chance. Walked right up and was told there were tickets, purchased, and told to come back 30 mins before departure. Upon return, stood at the gate until boarding time and had first dibs on the car. The train travels at around 15 mph and it is a narrated ride. You hear about the history of the railway and other features along the way to Kahe Point. Once at Kahe Point, the train can't turn around, so they have everyone walk close-wise around the car, so that everyone can change sides. The train then proceeds backwards to Koolina. We went on a departure that included a 20 min stop in Koolina. It's enough time to get ice cream, coffee, or a snack, before proceeding back to Ewa. It was a fun outing for out little one and quite enjoyable for us as well. Learning some history while enjoying the sights are always welcome, especially when I'm not driving and doing the talking. Will definitely consider doing the trip again to entertain friends and family, or just to support their cause.

I took a train ride and I loved it because I've always loved trains! They are fun and exciting!

There are 4 railway systems that I know of on the island of Oahu: Pearlridge Mall Monorail, Dole Plantation Pineapple Express Train, Honolulu Rail (Est. completion 2030), and this...the historic 12-mile OR&L track operated by the Hawaii Railway Society! HRS is funded solely by members, donations, and the sale of tickets and souvenirs. I first discovered this train ride during a couple of visits to Ko Olina. The loud horns through the railroad crossing at the one and only shopping center surely piqued my interest! On the way back from Kahe Point, the train actually stops for ice cream at Black Sheep Creamery in Ko Olina! The railway begins from the west of old Ewa to the leeward coast town of Nanakuli and back. At 15mph, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the live narration and scenic views of the former sugar cane fields now replaced by suburbia. Don't forget to throw your shaka's at local passers by on foot and in their cars! A family runs the operation: Lorna was our terrific narrator onboard the train and her dad, Ben, is the engineer. He's also the one that started the trip for all, sounding off with a loud roar, "All Aboard!" His wife, Selena, helped us inside the sales office. Uncle and brother helped with train crossings when there were no gaurd rails at a few intersections. 90-minute rides are available year round every Weds, Sat and Sun. $15-Adults, $10-Children & Seniors, and 2 and under are Free (must be held). Be sure to check out the souvenirs, toy train display, and museum, before you board. My +1 and I actually picked up Zippy's before arriving and ate in the grassy picnic area before we boarded @ 1pm. Snacks are also allowed on the train. We walked-in to purchase tickets for the 1pm departure so we actually arrived 1.5 hours early to ensure we'd get on. Recommend for a leisurely side trip! \nm/

This review is late in coming but our experience riding the holiday train was so amazing that I wanted to make sure to let others know how great it was. The Holiday Train goes from Kapolei through Ko Olina to Hawaiian Electric Park and back again. The train is decorated for the holidays with hundreds of lights and running reindeer. The narrator on the train keeps things fun and lively and so many people come out to wave at the train along the route. The folks that man the intersections along the way to keep everyone safe should be recognized as well. What a wonderful holiday tradition. Singing carols, wishing Mele Kalikimaka and seeing this area from a completely different perspective. The value of this ride is immeasurable if you are interested in the history of the area. I would pay the fare any day of the week. The quality is what one should expect from a historic railroad. This isn't an amusement park ride, and expectations should be in accordance with what is offered. We got everything we paid for and more. The other part of this experience that is so worth Yelping, is the Aloha from the folks that run this operation. From start to finish we were welcomed and cared for. A huge shout out to Big Ben DeLaCruz for his help and aloha. He made a significant difference in this ride with his kindness and compassion. Ben makes a difference. Thanks for arranging the escort by the owl for our trip ;) I would do this ride day or night, what a fun time we had. Last note, we wave at the train every time it passes our place in Coconut Plantation. The train brings more joy in this place of joy. Mahalo!

4/5 Stars only because it would have been nice to have the little train museum open and available AFTER the train ride. The train runs ONLY on Wednesday and Saturday. Staying at KoOlina and seeing the train, we wondered how we could get the grandkids on the train, so we asked the concierge. She shared a flyer with the HRS website which we checked to find out the information we needed. There are 180 spots on the train and all ages are invited to ride. Tickets must be purchased at the Ewa Beach Railway station and you must board at the same spot. You can depart at the KoOlina station next to Monkeypod, but if you parked your car in Ewa Beach, well, your car will still be there. Tickets are reasonably priced and there is a child price and a separate adult price. You may also purchase a super cute striped conductor hat for your cute kiddos right in the same place you purchase your tickets. There are also other items for sale. You may eat or drink on the train and there are trash receptacles on the train as well. Once you board the train, you will hear the story of the important role of the train and all who worked for railroad during Hawaii's early sugar cane history. The person sharing information with us was very knowledgeable for being so young. She obviously did her homework. Great job! Even if you are not riding the train, the little train museum would be a great stop for the kiddos and adults alike. It is free to visit.

Visiting the Hawaiian Railway Society was a great way for my family and I to get out of the house, be outside and do something completely different than our normal routine! If you're looking to change up your weekend with the kids a bit, you could totally go out for breakfast or brunch or the beach, then go here in the afternoon and rest assured that your kids would pass out before happy hour. There is something oddly comforting and relaxing about the rocking of the train and the sound on the tracks. At every crossing, you're encouraged to shaka or wave your aloha at the cats and people standing by- and many of them were waving at us as we passed, too. Lorna was our narrator/guide and she was fantastic! I can't speak for all children, but I feel like the novelty of it was enough to keep my toddler interested and the fact that there was an ice cream stop in ko'olina certainly helped with that (as well as a potty break)! The ride is about 45 minutes to Kahe point and back with an-almost 30 minute stop for ice cream and stretch-the-legs break. Despite our outing here being on a Saturday, it did not feel crowded. However, though walk-ins are welcome, you should call ahead of time to make a reservation for the number of people in your party to make sure that there's room for all of you the day you come. They are wonderful about returning your call if you leave a message to reserve. Selena was always on it in getting back to me with my updates in party # and even rescheduling to accommodate everyone. They run the train on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 different times per day. We opted for Saturday at 12pm and I think it was a great time to come! The weather was most definitely in our favor as there was a nice breeze, beautiful sunshine but not too hot! There is plenty of parking in their lot and the staff is kind and welcoming. There are restrooms where you purchase your tickets and I highly recommend taking advantage of them before the ride! You are allowed to eat and drink (non-alcoholic options, of course) on the train and mask-wearing on the train is at your discretion. $15 per adult and $10 for children and seniors. Infants/ babies ride for free. Seating is open and is first come, first serve. Check-in if you've made reservations is 30 minutes prior to departure time! Check them out! You'll have a great time!

I was forced to go because had friends visiting from the mainland but I actually surprisingly enjoyed it. The price is cheap and was fun. Definitely go and support them.

We went on the Halloween train ride and my nephew is in a wheelchair and they took very good care of him making sure we were at the head of the line so we could use the wheelchair lift to get him on first along with the family. We were last to get off at the end of the ride and we were fine with that and again they took so good care of my nephew. We're looking forward to going our next future train ride. Mahalo

As someone who works in the heritage railroad industry in California I can tell you, The Hawaiian Railway Society is a heritage railroad unlike any other in the world! Seeing dolphins breach from the train was an unforgettable experience! As a railroader just being able to see the old whitcomb diesel actually in service was cool too. The ONLY Critique I have is that the PA system onboard the train was adjusted a bit too loud, especially if you're seated right under the speakers

Been on this train ride twice and enjoyed myself. It's a nice and breezy ride! Seats are a little uncomfortable, but tolerable and it's an old historic train so don't expect luxury. The staff was friendly and narrator was informative both times that I've gone. I've been on one trip where they stop in Ko Olina near the ice cream store, Black Sheep (it's alright). And the second trip did not stop. I think I preferred the stopping one to get out and stretch your legs a bit. The only thing that I would suggest is if the narrator commented on the houselessness problem that's very obvious on the round trip. I am local and familiar with the houselessness problem in Hawaii, but it would be something important to add so visitors can understand that this is a Hawaii reality--it's not all sandy beaches and aloha all the time. To not even mention it while the train clearly passes by houseless people and make-shift communities seems a little harsh and ignorant. I understand not wanting to exploit those communities, but any comment on the issue would have sufficed. Overall, would recommend. Don't forget to check out the train museum! It's very very small, but filled with LOTS of trains and neat figurines.

Fantastic Christmas Train Ride !! All color light decorations 0n the trains night ride Fun for everyone !!

This was a last minute find on our latest Oahu adventures. We missed the train at the Dole Plantation because the day we went it broke down in the middle of the day. I found the Hawaiian Railway Society and they happened to have a train scheduled for Wednesday at 1pm - perfect! We did not reserve ahead of time, but showed up with enough time and got our tickets. They are very efficient, friendly, and helpful. There is a little museum with a beautiful model train display inside that is very worth a visit if you have time before the train ride. Our kids loved it! The detail on these model towns and trains is impeccable. For the ride itself, we had a lovely guide who informed us all along the way of sights and sounds. You basically go one way on the train, de-board, and then get back on to go back to the train station but you switch sides, so that you will get both views along the way. The ocean views are amazing from the train ride and you also get to wave hi at all the stops. Super fun! I highly recommend this, especially for families with kiddos, or really anyone who wants to sit back and relax for a fun old-fashioned train ride with excellent island views.

I really enjoyed the 1 and a half hour ride from Ewa through Ko'olina on the classic railway train. You get to learn some of Hawaii's history and witness some of the scenic views on the west side of the island of Oahu. I'm sure the children enjoyed it more than I did, but I was happy to be a tourist for an hour It's great to experience this ride at least once if you're on the island. They do have a haunted train ride in October, I'm definitely down to give it a try, riding the train in the pitch black with creatures lurking about, sounds like a lot of fun!

Great family operated offering! For my son that loves trains, he enjoyed this experience! Lots to see and learn as a visitor. Seems mostly for tourists, but having grown up on Oahu, still learned a lot! Staff is top notch! Definitely worth the value.

Growing up in HI, I had no interest in Hawaii's history, let alone the plantation. But as I get older, I truly appreciate all of it seeing that Hawaii seems to be slowly turning into a concrete jungle. I'm glad that Hawaii Railway is considered a landmark and will remain "untouched" for future generations to enjoy. I'm embarrassed to say that Hawaii Railway is about 10-minutes from my home. So close and only now I'm visiting it for the first time. According to my 88-year old dad, he was under the impression that the train wasn't working and was closed down. I believe it was but we're glad they reopened. As I understand it, there are only a few paid staff members and everyone else, including those running the train, are all volunteers. I'm glad funding and volunteers were made available for many families and old time plantation workers to enjoy and reminisce. First of all, because I've drove passed the railway a few times in old town plantation Ewa , I wasn't expecting much. I do try to keep an open mind about things. Plus, even if it were a horrible experience, I was going to try to make the best of it for my dear parents. Train rides are limited availability, on weekends only. Saturday, only 3 pm and Sunday, only 1 and 3 pm. The 3 pm rides includes a stop in Koolina to buy ice cream at Two Scoops, not included in your fare. I think fares are very reasonable. $15 for each adult and $10 for seniors and children. Try to think of this as a donation to keep history alive rather than entertainment that you expect on a Napa wine country ride. You can start buying tickets 2-hours before the scheduled time. Since we didn't live far, we got there at 12 pm. Pulling into the parking lot, there is very little paving. You'll find the handicap parking on the other side, nearest the office, which I didn't notice until I was sitting and waiting outside the train. The parking lot is small, so come early. Upon leaving, we did see people park outside along the road. Once you get out of your car, relax and remember, the best technology in the 19th century was the train. Enjoy the technology of that time period. Tickets are in the old plantation style wooden office/gift shop. I loved all the old black and white pictures of this people mover back in the day. People here are so helpful and full of information. We were allowed to walk around the back yard area to look at the relics. One of the things I was sad to hear is one of the Volunteers telling another that they had another "tagging" and had to clean that all up. So some of the donations is to help keep this place free of vandalism. If you or your kids are train enthusiast, be sure to visit the electric car display. So much to look at in there. So much fun. I think one of the best parts, was when the gates were opened and you heard, ALL ABOARD!" Wish I could've got that on video. There are about 5 cars available. We took the 1 pm ride which was 90-minutes. The entire ride is narrated. After a while, because of the sound of the train, I didn't here the narrator and just enjoyed the relaxing ride. Boarding the train, they do have accommodations for the disabled and have a car fitted with a lift. As far as the car we chose, it was very clean. In fact, they do allow you to eat and drink on the ride but they highly encourage you to pick up after yourself and have trays bins available upon offboard if the train. It was fun to cross traffic and most people in there cars were excited to see the train and wave back or throw the Shaka. When we got to the end in Nanakuli, the train conductor drove the train BACKWARDS! I was wondering how they would turn the train around but they don't. 5-stars for this experience for pricing, nostalgia, cleanliness and Aloha. I look forward to bringing visiting family and friends on this excursion.

This is 2 hour ride. Kids can struggle with the length, heat, and volume (of the narration) The little train museum is great. All the staff are friendly.

This is a wonderful & historic group. Definitely check it out if anyone in your family likes trains or train rides! Per their group description: The Hawaiian Railway Society is an educational, non-profit organization dedicated to saving, restoring and protecting Hawaii's railroading history. We have the only historic railroad on the island of Oahu and the only operating railroad museum in the state. Our toddler absolutely LOVED both the model train sets in the Toy Train Museum, and the 2 hour train ride!! During COVID the train has limited seating, so be sure to call well ahead (at least 2 weeks) reserve seats. If they are already sold out, you can arrive 1 hour early to be put on waitlist in case someone no-shows or cancels. We did that and got seats. While you wait you can explore the toy train museum, and the full size trains/cars they have on the grounds.

The kids loved it - amazing museum and train ride. The price was worth it!! We've come several times now!

I have always seen this railroad by my house and wondered where it would lead. Looked up online and found out they do train ride, with an ice cream stop on Sunday! I was pretty excited about this, but overall was just an okay experience. The scenery is not as pretty as I expected...most of the time it goes thru out of nowhere in Kapolei. The only ocean view is toward Nanakuli for maybe like 5min. The train is pretty slow with frequent stops. Depending on the weather, the ride could be very uncomfortable. It could be super hot, and even worse, lots of bugs flying around landing on you, if it has rained previously. The stop for an ice cream shop at Koolina, you only have 25min till the train leaves, and the shop has a huge line because of the train. You really gotta rin and beat the line. We just gave up and had a drink next door at Island Vintage Coffee. Kids would prob have fun....adults with no kids, absolutely avoid and save your time and money for something else better than this.

Nice set up and kids are like being in it! Good value if you reserve the trip. Fun day, staff is friendly and helpful.

Make your reservation super early. The spots get filled up. Call and leave a message, they will call you back. The front desk hosts are very nice and enjoy meeting and talking to tourists. Ask them for tips or things to see on the island. I enjoyed the open air train ride. I never would have thought I enjoyed the scenery and ride so much. I think it's a must-do especially if you have kids.

We recently visited the Hawaiian Railway Society and took a ride on their train. We had a great time and would go back again. We checked in and were told to wait near the train. Eventually they started boarding the train and we were seated. All the seats on the train face out towards the side. When you reach the end of the line, you switch and in doing so you can see what's on the other side of the train on the ride back. The train goes from near the shopping center with the Cheesecake Factory, through Ko Olina and ends at Electric Beach. At no point can you get off the train. It's not particularly fast, but it's interesting and you can enjoy the view. That's really the point of this. When you return to Kapolei, you can learn about the history of trains on Oahu and check out the model train, which was pretty cool. If you are visiting Oahu and have a limited amount of time here, this may not be the best use of your time. But if you live here, like trains or are looking for something relaxing to do other than hang out at the beach, then I'd recommend this. There were even a number of people who brought babies and they enjoyed it.

It was a great opportunity to ride the train to Ko'Olina from Ewa Beach. The information that the historian was providing was very awesome and it held my attention the whole time. The only thing that I had an issue with was the parking, or lack of. Granted, it's a very minute issue but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Also, another thing to check on if you'd like to ride the rail, the person who made the voicemail from the number that was on the website, said you don't have to reserve a spot but I got a phone call back within a day saying that I had to reserve spots. So, just check to see if you need to do that.

very happy that i finally got to do this. their website, hawaiianrailway.com, has all the info you need. i wanted to go on a saturday, so i called the friday before to make reservations. they put me down & was told to check in around 1130 & to buy tickets the day of. when i got there, i had no problem with the parking. there are signs directing you to the office where you buy tickets. the office is also the "gift shop" where they sell toy trains, books, souvenirs. they have restrooms as well. the women's restroom has 2 stalls, both with accordion doors & 1 sink. they also sell bottled water (costco kind) for $1. they start boarding 10-15 minutes before your scheduled ride time. i went on the 12p ride. the conductor yells "all aboard" & they punch your tickets. they board those with wheelchairs first, then continue with everyone else. seats are first come, first serve. you can eat & drink on the train & each car has a trash can so no need to worry about holding your trash. i sat in the last car because it was the less crowded one. the staff introduce themselves & you quickly realize that it's a family run business. they give history of everything that we pass & we throw shakas at every crossing, it's fun when the people in the cars shaka back. some drivers just sit there with rbf, lol. you go to the end of the trail before we make our way back to ko'olina for the ice cream stop. the train doesn't turn, so mid-ride, they have us switch sides so the others can view the beach on the way back. being the last car heading out, you end up being the first car coming back. when you get off at ko'olina, they give you about 25 minutes. it's a ice cream stop to "black sheep creamery", but you can also visit the other shops as well. i opted to skip the ice cream because the line was long by the time i got there & went to the abc store. fyi, this abc store is not the typical abc store, it's called "island cafe by abc stores". this one has "teapresso" (a boba shop) & they also have a section that has plate lunches & poke. just look it up on yelp. i ended up grabbing boba which was quite refreshing on the way back to the train station. overall, this was a great experience. great train ride, cool breezes & friendly staff :)

Recently rode the train for the second time. It's enjoying but if sitting on the ocean side, make sure to put on sunscreen. A nice little day out, we enjoyed the ride and the stop to get ice cream. Get there early because the train promptly leaves at the designated time.

Chuga chuga choo choo!!! Got nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Come down and ride a real train. I've been here multiple times for my hubby has an affinity of moving machinery and today was family fun day as we took my baby and mom for their first rides. You wanna get here early, at least an hour before the start time of the ride to find parking and get tickets. They have one ride on Saturday at 3pm and two rides on Sunday (1pm and 3pm). The 3pm rides makes an ice cream stop in Koolina. When we got here today we noticed the prices increased but now theres a toy train museum you can visit while you wait. The museum is something pretty special. Toy trains continuously run through intricate detailed landscapes, its eye candy for kids and adults. Theres also a small gift store and makeshift concession selling soda and snacks to occupy your time. The ride starts in Ewa and runs through Kapolei and Koolina stopping by the H power plant and electric beach, then takes the same path back. No worries on the seating for at the end everyone switch sides. The ride is usually a straight pathway but because of construction there's a part of the line that's curved that was created by the construction developers. The ride was narrated and one part of the ride was sad, when we were told to take pictures of the Waianae range because future development will block the mountain view from the train. The 3pm ride stops at Koolina so people can buy ice cream at Two Scoops. We didn't want to wait in the long line so walked past Monkey Pod restaurant to the convenience store and bought snacks. Great family fun if anyone's looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon!!

This is the best best best. Our LO is train crazy and this is the most precious gift ! Restored working trains taking you down a guided historic ride down to koolina with beautiful ocean views! It is very exciting for a little one Because there are a number of railroad crossings that stop traffic, blowing of the train horn(don't sit near the front if too loud!, waving to cars, and moving crossing gates! The train museum is another venture of love and volunteers. This is what model trains are about! Amazing wonderful room of endless trains and detailed scenes ! You do not need to buy a train ticket to visit the train museum (by donation) Tickets for train can be purchased 2 hours in advance. Follow them on FB to hear about extra seats for chartered rides. If you have the dollars and people, it would be a fantastic birthday party activity and venue! The 90 minutes is long so ride on the shady side if you get hot easily. Bring a hat and water and sunscreen. Snacks are welcomed. The 3 pm train stops for ice cream but there are tacos as shaved ice nearby as well. The ice cream shop is two scoops. I didn't care for the strawberry (powdered? Have no idea What that was made of) but the pineapple ice cream was good, get that. There is also a water station for bottle filling where the train stops.

We have done the afternoon ice cream ride twice now and it doesn't disappoint! Highly recommend for those with little ones. Call ahead and reserve your spot for guaranteed seating and enjoy the views.

This is a fun activity for the family! You get to hear some information about the railway system in Hawaii and also about Ewa Beach and Kapolei. Our tour guide was very energetic which was nice. The train ride was 2 hours and included 30 minutes to get ice cream, which I was definitely not mad about. The views of Ko'olina were beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking for something laid back, especially in the heat!

Choo, choo, all aboard! Came here with the family and it's such a nice treat to see part of our beautiful island on a classic train ride. Our guide was very knowledgeable and simply great! It's nice to get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery and I highly recommend anyone to experience the train ride for yourself!

This is a great activity for the whole family. It's located tucked away in Ewa Beach. There's some small "train ride" signs along the way but those can be hard to see. The train ride was fun and informative. Lots of great history here also the way. It's about 90 minutes long and take u all the way down to Electric Beach. Passengers get to stretch their legs and the end of the line and switch seating positions. The kids loved waving at all the cars and people along the way. Fun and entertaining. Trains leave at 1300 and 1500. The 1500 ride stops off at Two Scoops ice cream shop in Koolina. There's a gift ship and lots of exhibits to explore. A picnic area to eat at and a train yard. Parking lot is small and it can be hot. Bring water. Check this place out. It makes for a great weekend field trip.

Came here after many times of seeing the remaining railway train tracks from Ewa to Waianae and finally got information from a friend who rode the train here and finally made the decision to go! With my son totally in love with trains at the moment, this was a fabulous family adventure! It's a one way train ride 15 miles to and 15 miles back from Ewa Hawaiian Railway Society to Kahe Power Plant in Waianae. It takes about 1.5 - 2 hours for the whole ride which also includes a stop at Koolina to purchase ice cream from 2 Scoops! Each Adult ticket is $12 and Children (2-12 years old is $8 each. They accept cash, checks, and card. Saturday train rides are at 3pm and Sunday train rides are at 1pm and 3pm. You can purchase your tickets as early as 2 hours prior to your ride and they suggest to purchase at least 45 minutes prior to your ride as they might sell out. My boyfriend spoke to the lady at the counter and said they can't really say when they will sell out as tour buses may decide to come and they can by up to 100 tickets one time! So come early! On site they have a beautiful open area to sit down and relax as well as a shaved ice truck. They also have the old loco motives and trains to look at and take pictures by. There is also a train museum that closes at 3:30pm that's very interactive and fun to look at! So if you do come to buy tickets early, there is some small activities to do there. They have a dirt gravel parking lot so parking shouldn't be a problem. For tourists who may be staying at Koolina, 4 seasons, aulani, marriot, etc. You can catch a ride to Hawaiian Railway and just go back to your hotel after stopping at 2 scoops as well. 4 stars for the audio being a bit soft as we couldn't really hear what the tour guide lady was saying :( the speakers were placed on the ceilings above our cart but the sound of the train moving over the tracks just drowned out live audio. I think it would have been better if they could place the speakers from our seating area so the sound would echo through out our area. If you really want to hear the audio, I would recommend sitting in the middle cart or in the middle section of whatever cart you're seating in as sitting at the ends is the noisiest. However I LOVED the employees and customer service there. Everyone was welcoming, nice, and entertaining. Some quick Tips! -Come Early to purchase your tickets. At least an hour ahead! Gives time for you to explore the area as well. I suggest checking out the train museum! -If you didn't eat lunch, feel free to bring your food there while you wait for the train! Lots of seating area and food is allowed on the train. -MUST BRING COLD WATER! Hats, shades, glasses, etc. Very hot when sitting on the oceanic side of train. -stroller friendly! Saw some strollers on the train. There is a lot of leg room which fits strollers but anything bigger than a single stroller will not fit.

Review 1 of 2021! The Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS) is a historic railway on Oahu that I've always seen driving by but hadn't explored. Since doing so recently as a great holiday treat with a small family group of 4 of us, I was impressed by experience and the educational passion those who work/volunteer here have! Consider this as a special event or occasion treat for people of all ages. Some notables (during 12/2020 visit): - Book your trip in advance by calling for reservations ($15 per person with discounts for kids and seniors; it's not always a guarantee that dropping by means you'll be able to get a seat - this is apparently quite popular - or at least it was during the holiday season with social distanced, limited capacity) - Train times vary - check their website (on the Sunday we were there, there were two trains at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM) - Masks required; enforcement was encouraged - Passengers socially distanced, with maybe 3 small groups per railway car - The train does have a loud horn used during crossings many times during the ride - West Oahu is sunny and hot, so plan accordingly; drinks/food are allowed onboard - Restroom facilities at the starting/ending point were open - A museum, benches, and selfie spots at the starting/ending point are available to explore beforehand - Parking lot does get full but they have an overflow lot across the street - The Ko Olina leg of the journey was the most relaxing - when offered to switch sides of the train, do so! (otherwise, the shade on the mauka side is okay) - If your train breaks down or experiences technical difficulty, they've got a back-up to tow you back efficiently (yes, this happened!) - It's fun to wave at the waiting cars during train crossings :) Our family had fun and I hope this review encourages you to check this educational, non-profit organization out!

This is such a cute Lil adventure out to ewa. Never knew they have this until we saw them passing by koolina. My son and his friends enjoyed trian ride. They loved it, they got to eat snacks that we brought on board. So you are allowed to bring food and drinks on board, that was a plus! While we waited to board, the kids were able to go into the train museum. That was pretty neat to see. The ride was about 1.5 ish long. Overall, it was a fun trip to do with the kids. We are interested in going for the Xmas edition train ride, the staff says it's pretty fun. Definitely looking forward to that end of the year.

If you compare this to all the other train rides on Oahu, then this is by far the best...that's because this is the only train ride on Oahu. :) (Edit-Lyla D mentioned that Dole Plantation also had a train ride so I must check that out) But all kidding aside, this is a very interesting way to spend a leisurely Saturday or Sunday afternoon. When I have mainland friends visiting, this is one of the things I recommend, especially if they've been to Hawaii before and have done a lot of the other "touristy" stuff. Some things people might complain about on this excursion... "It goes too slow" Yeah, it only goes about 15mph but the tracks are bumpy and any faster and you'd be barfing. "All there is to see is barren land" I do agree a fair chunk of the view are the backs of homes in Kapolei and industrial buildings but the narrator/guide does give interesting facts about the land and the railway history all the way there and all the way back...interesting history of this area and the railway line that you probably won't hear anywhere else. "It's too long and there are no restrooms on the train" Use the restroom in the ticket shack before departing! Also, if you're on the Sunday 3pm ride on the way back, the train stops at Ko'Olina in front of Monkeypod Kitchen for about 20 minutes so riders can stretch their legs and get some ice cream from Two Scoops. You could probably use the restroom there. "I don't like trains" Then why are you here? Anyway, it's about 13 miles roundtrip and takes about 90 minutes (more for the ride with the ice cream stop.) I like it and it's only $12 for adults and $8 for the rug rats.

Such a gem in the rough, although the conductors and workers really need a history lesson asap. They only talk about indoctrinated history of Hawaii of the West side, the line that the train goes through, which is unfortunate. We live in Hawaii, filled with a rich history before America came and illegally occupied us. As a native Hawaiian I was dismayed to see the narrative of America, occupation, and development of these colonizers talked about the whole ride through. Please educate these people to tell the real history of Hawaii and not only the American Regime. The train ride itself was lovely a great activity for little kids and kupuna. Its a two hour long ride though so make sure you have some snacks and people you like. There's plenty of parking. Toilets. A gift shop inside that sells all kind of cool nick nacks. Recommend, but seriously please educate!