Sugar Cane Train
add photosThe Sugar Cane Train is a 55-minute (round-trip), open-air train ride from Lahaina to Pu'ukuli'i on the Western coast of Maui. There's a dinner train each Thursday night which includes a buffet and hula show. The train has 2 stations: Lahaina and Pu'ukuli'i which is across the street from the Westin Kaanapali Villas.
7 Reviews for Sugar Cane Train
37
9
'12
0 families found this helpful
"Good for kids or train enthusiasts"
The Lahaina, Ka'anapali, and Pacific Railroad operates the Sugar Cane Train, a replica narrow gauge steam-powered locomotive with open air passenger cars, that runs on a 6 mile stretch of railroad recreating the path originally used to haul sugar cane from the plantation fields in Ka'anapali to the Pioneer Mill in Lahaina.
The 45 minute (1 1/2 hours round trip) narrated trip meanders through former sugar cane fields turned neighborhoods and golf courses and as it enters Lahaina, unfortunately, takes you through backyards, behind shopping centers, and through areas that we will politely call trash piles. While this is only a small section of the trip it was enough to make us think twice about doing it again.
There are some very scenic sections of the trip as well to be fair, including great views of neighboring islands and West Maui.
Also, we have to mention that the narrator on our particular trip was less than satisfied with their job apparently and was even less happy about sharing the island with tourists.
The highlights of the trip include crossing the 325 foot wooden trestle bridge and watching the train being turned around on the railroads turntable in Lahaina which our son was absolutely fascinated watching.
The trip is a bit pricey at $22.50 for adults and $15.50 for children 3-12 while those under 3 ride for free. There is a dinner train which is even more. There is a kama'aina rate for locals but you have to ask for it specifically.
Our recommendation is that unless you have a small child who is really into trains like ours was, then your time and money would be better spent on other activities. Older children and adults will find this a complete bore.
There are bathrooms at the train station in Lahaina but once onboard the train there are none. We also recommend that you bring some drinks along as the ride can be hot if you do it in the afternoon.
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
0 families found this helpful
"A good long ride"
If you're going from end-to-end it's a decent journey -- though not quite as scenic as you might think. This is definitely something you do for your toddler, and not because it is fun to ride in the heat for 30 minutes on a ride that would otherwise take 10. However, the guides are typically entertaining and friendly. A definite negative regards the Lahaina stop: there are no crosswalks anywhere near the stop, necessitating walking along a VERY busy street. Also be advised that the stop is several blocks from the downtown area; this doesn't seem long until you are carrying your toddler and gear in the heat. Also, do yourself a favor and buy the monthly pass.
0 families found this helpful
"Too Expensive"
At $23 per ticket for adults, I found this to be too expensive for my taste. Overall, I would not recommend this activity unless your child is really into trains. The scenery is OK, not great. I noticed several of the younger kids getting restless and bored (one even fell asleep).
0 families found this helpful
"Great for Thomas the Train lovers"
The Sugar Cane Train is an open-air train that runs from Lahaina to Pu'ukuli'i in Western Maui. For train fanatics, this steam train locomotive (Myrtle or Anaka) is not to be missed. The trip includes a ride across a wooden trestle bridge, a stop in Lahaina to see the engine spin around on the turntable and a stop at the water tower to fill the tender car. Perfect for Thomas the Train lovers.
For my 3 year old, the open-air train ride was a bit loud (he's sensitive to loud noises and prefers trucks over trains). Luckily, the ride offered lots of opportunities to see trucks on Highway 30 that runs parallel to the tracks. The train also passes a fire station, a police station and a golf course which he enjoyed. I loved all the gorgeous views of the ocean and the island of Lanai on the West side and the verdant, green West Maui Mountains on the east. There is a short section of the ride where you traverse behind the homes of some locals. There's all sorts of garbage and debris which is a stark contrast to the luxury resorts across the street. A bit of reality, but a bit out-of-place.
We caught the 10:15 am train from Pu'ukuli'i slightly north of Kaanapali. The train station is small and next to a small local farmer's stand (yummy, banana bread). The benches are situated under some trees which provides for a bit of cool shade from the hot sun. There are no restrooms on the train, so be sure everyone's pee-free before boarding for this 55 minute train ride. The Lahaina station has a bathroom, but the Pu'ukuli'i trainstop only has a porta-potty.
There's a delightfully friendly and knowledgeable guide who narrates the entire ride, but it was near impossible to hear him. I hope that they can upgrade the speaker system, so that more people can enjoy the historical and local details that shared on the ride.
Don't forget to climb abroad the green engine at the Lahaina stop for a quick picture. Our little conductor loved pulling all the levers on this train and watching the engine spin around on the turntable.
Tip: Lots of kids love to stick their heads out of the windows, but be sure to watch what's ahead. There are lots of road signs and shrubbery that are close to the train.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
This review was based on complimentary tickets from the Sugar Cane Train. I received no other compensation, and was not required to express any particular point of view.
1 family found this helpful
"Choo Choo"
Our sons were thrilled when they heard we were going to ride on a train. We planned this as our last activity on Maui and our older son asked about it every day. He even carried around the little flier we'd picked up about the train. He showed it to his younger brother constantly saying "Do you want to ride this?... Do you want to go on the train?..."
We got to the train station a little early and were lucky enough to watch the train arrive. They stopped the train in front of the station, disconnected the locomotive, and drove it onto a turntable. Our boys were entranced as they watched the workers turn the train on the turntable to then reattach the locomotive to the other side of the train.
We chose seats in one of the cars that didn't have windows. The entire first half of the train ride our 18 mos. old pretended to pull a cable down and say "choo choo." Our 3 yrs. old did the same for a little while and then proceeded to suck his thumb. We pointed out the different things to him that we saw like sugar cane, boats, parasailers, and golfers. From his expression, you would have thought he hated the ride, but afterward he said that he really liked it.
The entire round trip ride took about 1 hour. It's pretty low key and we took some time to chat with the conductor who was very nice. He took the time to get some postcards for our boys, which he signed to them and drew a little picture of a conductor's head, which made our 3 yr. old very happy.
If you have a couple hours (train ride plus driving time) during your trip, this is a great activity for little ones.
2 families found this helpful
"One Expensive Train Ride"
Yes, this is a cool way to see a bit of the Maui countryside. The views of the cane fields and the ocean are spectacular. The history lesson can be kinda cool for older kids, it will be completely lost on younger ones. Little kids who are train fanatics are gonna dig being on a train no matter what. But this is a pretty expensive touristy thing to do.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Miles and miles of sugar cane still grow in fields across the highway from Kaanapali Resort. Although the sugar industry is no longer the powerful moneymaker it was in the late 1800s, a few scenic, sweet acres remain. The Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Pacific Railroad, today known as the Sugar Cane Train, used to haul the crops from the inland valleys to the coast, where ships waited in the bay, ready to transport the cane to refineries.
The train is a fun excursion and offers a glimpse into a historic way of life that changed Hawaii for generations. he narrow-gauge trains are modeled after steam locomotives that were used in the 1890s and take visitors on the same tracks on which crops were hauled.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Sugar Cane Train »
Find Activities near Sugar Cane Train »
Find Restaurants near Sugar Cane Train »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
