Laupahoehoe Train Museum — Attraction in Hawaii

Prior to heading here, keep in mind that following WW2, almost the entirety of the Hawai'i island's rail system was literally scrapped. Every train, bridge and building except for this museum and the roundhouse in Hilo.

So this museum won't have all the trains one normally expects. This museum is more of one of the oral history and documentation since that is most of what only remains.

5 stars because it is extremely informative as the volunteer who was there that day showed me around explaining the full and rich history of the rail line and its co-developed sugar plantation industry. I was walked through the photos and artifacts that remained as well as was shared the complete history of the line from it's conception through to it's ultimate end as it was literally erased from the island.

As a non profit/volunteer structure in the rainforest side of the island, their task is large, and fund's limited in what they can do. But if you are somebody who loves to learn about the history of where you are? Then this is a place to go! Head there with plenty of time to hear the tales and see all the pictures and really get the full scale about what was once here.

It is not a rail museum to look at trains and cars. This is a museum whose focus in on the history of the rail line and to preserve what little of it survived. So as a place of history? Full on 5 stars because the story and info they share can only be found here. Without this museum, it would quickly...

Very nice museum preserving part of what put Hawai'i on the map. Before tourism, Hawai'i was known for sugarcane, and railroads are what transported the cane from field to mill to ships. This museum tells that story, from construction of the railroad to its destruction by the 1946 tsunami. If you want old pictures of the many bridges along the line and the rail equipment that existed on the island, this museum has them. Staff was very informative with explaining the history of the region.

It's sad how little of the railway exists in 2024, but the large collection of pictures, films, and artifacts preserved at the museum is a treasure trove for railroad historians who want to visit what remains of Hawai'i's only standard gauge railroad. Industrial railroads are such an important part of our country's history, and many lack a museum like this to keep their memories alive.

Pro tip: museum admission is cash with an honor box, so try to bring exact change. The kind curator was able to get me change...

Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn the history of Hawaii's Railroad. You can see old photos of the rail system and even learn a little about the sugar plantations on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is a little Station Masters former home and grounds are in need of some tlc, but this is a cute stop for any young train enthusiast or anyone wanting to know more about the historical rail system of Hawaii. Self guided tour but the docent was really friendly and helpful with all any questions you may have. 4 stars because I would love to see this place survive and preserve...