Laupahoehoe Train Museum
A Trip Back in Time
Open Monday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
We provide a nostalgic and educational look back at Hawaii's railroads
Step into Hawai'i's Railway past
Preserving the heritage, stories, and spirit of Hawai'i's Railway past for future generations
A Trip Back in Time
Welcome to the Laupāhoehoe Train Museum
Step inside a small community museum where Hawaiʻi Island’s railway past comes to life
through historic photographs, railroad artifacts, authentic equipment, and the stories of the
people and communities that grew along the Hāmākua Coast.
Many of our volunteers have deep roots in the community and enjoy talking story with visitors.
The museum is housed in the former station agent’s home, furnished to reflect the early 1900s,
with tropical grounds that invite visitors to stroll, picnic, or simply slow down for a while.
[Insert LTM photo here]
Our collection connects the Hilo Railroad and Hawaiʻi Consolidated Railway with the sugar
industry, plantation life, and the multicultural communities the railway served. It also tells the
story of the April 1, 1946 tsunami that devastated the Hāmākua Coast and helped bring Hawaiʻi
Island’s railway era to an end.
Plan Your Visit
Easy to Find. Worth the Stop.
We are located along Highway 19 near mile marker 25 on the Hāmākua Coast. Follow the
brown Hilo–Hāmākua Heritage Corridor signs and watch for the railroad crossing signs and the
big red caboose on our front lawn. We are approximately 30 minutes north of Hilo and 25
minutes south of Honokaʻa.
[Link to map]
[Plan Your Visit]
Community, History & Education
A Museum Rooted in Its Community
More Than a Museum. The Laupāhoehoe Train Museum is part of an active community.
Throughout the year, we support events and projects that bring people together, preserve local
history, and strengthen connections across generations.
We preserve more than railroad equipment and photographs. We keep the story of the people,
industries, and communities connected by Hawaiʻi Island’s railway history alive.
The railroad story is also a community story. The museum preserves the memories of railroad
workers, plantation families, towns, industries, and the twenty-one communities once connected
between Hilo and the Hāmākua Coast.
Through exhibits, local stories, educational activities, events, and preservation projects, we keep
this history meaningful—not only as something that happened in the past, but as part of the
community we share today.
[Check Out the Whole Story]
What You’ll Discover
Real Railway Equipment: See authentic sugar-industry railroad equipment, locomotives,
railcars, and our restored caboose. Meet Rusty, Woody & Boom-Boom.
Historic Photographs & Artifacts: Explore photographs, memorabilia, scale models, and
exhibits that bring the railway story to life.
Plantation Life & Culture: Discover how the railway connected sugar plantations with the
multicultural communities that shaped the Hāmākua Coast.
The 1946 Tsunami: Learn how the April 1, 1946 tsunami changed the coast and marked the
end of Hawaiʻi Island’s railroad era.
[Insert museum / railroad equipment photo]
[Explore Our History]
Featured Events & Projects
Holiday Tree Lighting
Celebrating the Holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting along with music, food, games
and a Santa workshop. A great way to get into the holiday spirit. Sunday, Nov 22, from 4-8 pm
at the museum.
[Insert photo from last year]
Laupāhoehoe Music Festival
Each spring, we are proud to sponsor the Laupāhoehoe Music Festival at Laupāhoehoe Point
Park. The daylong community celebration benefits the Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter
School and brings together music, arts and crafts, food, games, and neighbors from across the
island.
[Insert Music Festival / featured project photo]
[See Events & Projects]
Help Keep Us on Track
Keep the Story Moving Forward
The Laupāhoehoe Train Museum is powered by community support. Your contribution helps us
preserve local history, care for exhibits and historic equipment, expand educational outreach,
and keep this special place welcoming visitors for years to come.
[Support Us]
Bring Home a Piece of the Story
Take a little railway history home with you. Our museum shop features distinctive souvenirs and
locally made items, with purchases helping support the museum and its preservation work.
[Insert 3–4 featured shop items]
[Visit the Gift Shop]
Stay Connected
There’s Always More to the Story. Stay connected with museum news, upcoming events,
restoration and preservation projects, and stories from Laupahoehoe Train Museum.
Name __________________________ Email __________________________
[Stay Connected]
Explore Take a Trip Back in Time - Laupahoehoe Train Museum
Welcome to the Laupahoehoe Train Museum!
The purpose of the Laupahoehoe Train Museum is to preserve, promote and protect the historic, cultural, educational, social, civic and economic interests of the North Hilo and Hamakua districts, while highlighting the history of the railroads on the island of Hawaii.
We are a small, community-run museum located on the beautiful Hamakua Heritage Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. Our goal is to honor the colorful history of our island's railroads. Much of our information is about the Hilo Railroad, which began in 1899 and lasted until 1946, when railroad tracks and facilities were irreparably damaged by a devastating tsunami. The museum is located in the old station agent's house which is furnished as it would have been in the early 1900's. Our photo collection keeps growing thanks to the generous donations from individuals and families having railroad connections.
Visitors are welcomed with the spirit of aloha, and will find fascinating photographs, railroad artifacts and memorabilia from days gone by. Our small gift shop boasting unique items hand-crafted by local residents. Many of the museum's volunteers have spent their lives in the community, and are delighted to "talk story" with visitors. The museum grounds are planted with tropical fruit trees and ornamentals making a lovely place to stroll, picnic or relax.
Our Normal Hours Open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Other days open by appointment. Our hours sometimes change based on available volunteers. We are closed on all major holidays. To schedule a tour or private appointment please call (808) 962-6300 or email laupahoehoemuseum@gmail.com. Admission for Adults $10.00, Seniors and Kama'aina $8.00, students $5.00 and Family rate is $25.00 with special rates for tours. For additional information call us at: (808) 962-6300 or write us at: Laupahoehoe Train Museum, P.O. Box 358, Laupahoehoe, HI 96764; or email us at laupahoehoetrainmuseum@yahoo.com . Memberships are Available and Appreciated
We are a community run, non profit 501c3 museum that depends on donations and membership to stay on track. Your membership and donations are tax deductible.
The Feature Highlights
Phone: 808-962-6300
Location: 36-2377 Mamalahoa Hwy, Laupahoehoe, HI 96764