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December 2023 by Lonnie McDonald
We had wanted to go on the train that runs through Ko Olina for many years. The open air ride and sights are amazing. Slow scenic fun and informative.“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.Come ride with us along a historic stretch of track west of old Ewa and listen to stories about the history of railroading in Hawaii. Train rides are available year round.A picnic area is available for passengers to use before or after their ride or they may take food and beverages on board. The picnic area is great for holding birthday parties and other special occasions and may be reserved. Call for availability.Train maximum capacity is 180.”
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December 2023 by Matt Howe
As our ride was the 1 pm Wed one we had our sandwiches on the grounds where picnic tables were thoughtfully provided before we got in line at 12.45 to board the train. The gate opened at 12.50 and we were free to choose whichever carriage we wanted to board. The rule was to ride up on one side and then switch sides for the ride back.The society provided live commentary up and down the ride..loved that. We were also told to wave at cars when they stop for us at crossings to thank them and also as a greeting. Enjoyed that especially when the drivers waved back. That was such a warm gesture.Our boys enjoyed the ice cream stop. And we appreciated the society for checking at the ice cream stop for any strays before the train left!One could call up the society to make a ride reservation which we did. But for our wed ride there were seats to be had for walk ins.Great experience thank you!
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December 2023 by Voltarine-Nicole
I'm a solo adult backpacker traveler and I actually loved this train ride! Very fun way to see the layout of the towns from Kapolei almost to Nanakuli from a different angle. I went on the Wed 1pm tour, it actually took from 12:45 lining up to board until nearly 3:45 to disembark back at the round trip station which was all great for me. Many of the trips stop for ice cream in the fancy Ko Olina shopping area, which was also nice (I got to use the bathroom and Monkeypod and got ice cream to eat on the way back, you can bring your own food and drinks on the train).With the scenery and the narration it went by fast enough for me, just long enough at 45 mins each way to relax and look around. It was not so hot and sunny, or bumpy, that it was uncomfortable for me on the day I went.One tip, if you are sensitive like me, I wore my noise canceling earphones because the narration via speakers on every car was SUPER SUPER loud. I could hear it just fine through my headphones, it was earsplitting for me without them.I also recommend arriving at noon, not 12:45, so you can see the clever, detailed, very clean and organized, clearly labor of love model train museum. Very cute, and well curated. Worth a few minutes peek at least.I also appreciated being able to use the tidy restroom in the ticket office.
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November 2023 by Kalani Borgeling
The train ride was absolutely amazing! The tour guide was very clear in her communication and her stories were awesome! I highly recommend! One thing I will note make sure you use the restroom even if you don't have to go! Train will shake your bladder! Stunning ride!
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October 2023 by Scott Marti
Very nice museum. The train ride was a lot of fun, got to see more of the island, along with listening to some Hawaii rail history that I never knew about. My girls enjoyed it.
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October 2023 by N. Duffey
Such a fun lil snippet of Hawaiʻiʻs railway history. Took my elderly mom and 2 kids (12 and 6) to experience something different. It had been years since i went on the train and my mom and kids had never gone, yet we’re all born and raised on Oʻahu. We didnt have reservations and decided to go to the 3pm departure on saturday. We parked in the small parking area at 2:30ish. Walked into the cute office/gift shop area and bought tickets. They also had a few festive halloween themed railroad scenes for guest to take pictures at before boarding. Boarding took place at 2:50ish. Make sure to USE THE BATHROOM before you board. Waiting in line to board they were selling some snacks too, chips, water, etc. Once we chose a railcar (check out the railcar names) there was lots of seating (bench seating 1 side faces mauka, the other faces makai). As we got goin there was a lovely narration throughout the ride of the history of the area, the plants seen, the place names and its significance. Interesting stuff. At each rail crossing we could shaka to cars waiting and see who wasnt grumpy and shaka back lol. My kids had fun doing that. As the sun started to go down the makai side of the car got full sun while the mauka side still had shade. Wear glasses! We got to the half way point and stretched our legs (no standing while in motion). We were headed back but stopped near aulani for some ice cream for about 20min. No lie, that ice cream was ono!!! We took pictures and jumped back on board. They’ll check to make sure they dont leave anyone behind. So cute seeing some of the families in their yards just waiting to wave at the train riders. Just a great experience. My 12YO didnt complain, my 6YO thanked me for bringing them. Really hope they continue to get more business to keep this lil historical keepsake alive. All super friendly volunteer staff and just good vibes the entire experience. Highly recommend locals and tourist to check it out.
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September 2023 by Mark Bramhill
This is a delightful bit of living history of the O.R.&L. — if you love trains or history, this will be a blast. The train ride is fun and has some lovely views of the ocean. Great activity for kids, too! Sunscreen is a good idea as you’ll be exposed to the sun for a while, but the breeze on the train keeps it feeling nice. Highly recommended while you’re on Oahu! ?
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August 2023 by Paul MacLeod
The trainyard may not look like what you expect, but the ride itself and the miniature train museum and in-progress restoration and the docents and train staff are delightful people. The ride is informational and fun and a great way to spend a couple of hours.
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July 2023 by Raymond Tarnow
We liked the Railroad experience and knowledge of the tourguides. Not to any control of the Railroad, just wish the route was a little more eye friendly and enjoyable. The ocean view is the last portion and it is not in any control of the Railroad. The staff is doing great work with what they have and making it an amazing experience for visitors.
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July 2023 by Anthony Chang
The remnant of what was once 120 miles of train track from Iwilei to Kahuku, this museum train tour has great views of West Oahu and is a great history lesson
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June 2023 by Daniel theNerd
Such a great experience. Lots of great historical information and a great train ride through the area. If you are lucky you will see spinner dolphins playing in the ocean next to the power plant. Parking lot fills up quickly, so get here early, which gives you plenty of time to see the model train museum next door.
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May 2023 by Lynn Villafana
We very much enjoyed our ride, it's great for adults and kids. We did the upgrade to the parlor car. It's so nice to see the train become a reality after years of the Society refurbishing the cars and tracks. The extra bonus was a delightful oral history from Kaimana! She was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was a great experience. Highly recommend
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May 2023 by Carolyn Grasso
A slice of history is found in the Hawaiian Railroad Train ride. It is a pleasant 45 minute trip up to Ko’Olina and back. A little bumpy. You see lots of scenery, a refinery, and end at a beach across from the power plant. The train goes back the same way to the station. We took the trip that includes a stop for ice cream at Black Sheep Ice Cream. I recommend that ice cream trip!There is a restroom in the ticket office/gift shop.Not fancy, but inexpensive and a nice activity.
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May 2023 by Michael Sarrafian
First time rider on the train. It was an enjoyable experience. Nice to hear about the railroad history on Hawaii and a relaxing ride out to Ko Olina and back, even stopped for ice cream. The train ride with the stop was about 2.5 hrs. The toy train museum was very cool too, if you like trains or if you have kids! Would definitely do this again next time we are in the area.
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April 2023 by Kimberly C.
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.
