Theres the potential for a criminal charge of second degree trespassing (a misdemeanor record), which could be a big problem for some people who have security clearances, sensitive employment, professional licenses, immigration applications, etc. This was one of my favorite sections of the hike and the backdrop over the shoulder gave great views of the ridge we had just hiked up. I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! Puu Keahi a Kahoe is the end of this trail, but symbolically it serves as a beginningit marks the start of the ahupuaa(land division) of Kaneohe. Have some light. An absolutely amazing experience. 14 guest maximum. You need to take the MIDDLE option. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. No experience and with a 8 year old. Looking to hike this any day in next week .if anybody's down, msg me in insta @allispichkooo:), Anyone want to do this on 11/24 or 11/25? The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. Eventually, a sliver of the Pacific Ocean peeks out from the other side of the mountain and, before I know it, were at our destination, rewarded with a panoramic view of the Windward Side. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. You can see everythingKaneohe, Kailua, Mokolii (akaChinamans Hat), Olomana and the H-3 snaking its way through it alland Im basking in the extraordinary sight of how miniature life looks from up above. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. For safety. If you are inside a Forest reserve outside of those times and without a camping permit, you are in violation of the HRS chapter 104 rules and can be cited. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. ", Barney Griggs, a spokesperson for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, said anyone who wants to hike the Olomana Trail "should be an experienced hiker. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. Please find another hike. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! You definitely want good weather for this hike. The trail is a little over 9 miles roundtrip and took us about 7 hours (we hung out at the top for 30 minutes or so). Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. There was also a hiker named Daylenn Pua who disappeared on the Moanalua Valley trail (the backside route that intersects with the Stairway To Heaven) and was never seen again. Please explore other trails nearby. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Anthony Polizzi, Col. Dan Dobbels, commander of the 15th Wing, said in the statement. -Good shoes. If you have all trails just follow that! It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. I did this hike solo about a month ago. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. We were SO excited to find a legal way to hike the Haiku Stairs. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. If you are confused follow the AllTrails map. Firefighters had to comb through a wooded area and ask a hiker to shake a tree before they found the body just after noon, Fire Captain KevinMokulehua said. There were 2 other parties of 2 hiking that day, plus a group at the top who came from the other trail that made them muddy and take much longer. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. While you cant legally step foot on the stairs or satellite summit area, you can make it all the way up to that area so this route is a great alternative to the controversial and heavily regulated Haiku Stairs (the front way). All rights reserved. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Do not attempt this hike. The city of Honolulu spent almost a million dollars repairing the stairs and was considering re-opening the stairs in 2002 but resident complaints and safety concerns halted the re-opening and the stairs have been closed ever since. Its Definitely challenging get rest water food. The last crossing is allll the way at the end, and immediately after that last crossing, it's dense 12ft tall grass and the trail disappears. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. What can be earliest time to start this hike? As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. As someone who grew up in a nearby neighborhood in the 80s and still has a good family friend that lives IN the Haiku stairs neighborhood Ill tell you one thing hiking blogs and social media posts dont seem to mention the history of bad behavior from young, disrespectful hikers who arrive at 4am, dont even try to keep their noise levels down, cut through the backyards of residents, and use residents hoses to rinse off after hiking the stairway. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. All water should be . Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. This is a review for hiking the Moanalua Valley to Middle Ridge to Tripler Ridge (AKA the legal back way to the Stairway to Heaven) and then down the stairs. 804. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. We did not have spikes or gloves and it was 100% fine, but it would have been a help especially if there has been recent rain. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. There is danger involved with traversing a mountains ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact thats slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. While the first peak is the "highest and offers the best views," it's the mountain's third peak where Stowell fell to his death that "offers the greatest climbing challenge. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. or redistributed. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. from. Plan accordingly. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. The Stairway to Heavenhike on Oahu, Hawaii, also known as the Haiku Stairs, is possibly the greatest attraction on the entire island. That isnt to say people arent, or should not be super respectful, ie, no trash, tread lightly, be quiet, etc, all that goes with just being a responsible and respectful human being. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. 00:00 01:00 Only In Your State Step 3 Take the Red Hill/Moanalua Valley exit (exit 2) and turn right on Ala Aolani Street. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Be careful. The area escorts us into a network of trails here, where the middle ridge opens up upon crossing a streambed found just after the marker for the Kulanaahane Trail. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. Not willing to change her identity to be part of the industry, Mahina Florence is at the height of her career because of her flawless Hawaiian complexion, strong athletic build, and friendly aloha spirit. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Furthermore, Hawaii State Forest Reserves have other rules, such as what time they open and close, yes you read that correctly, Forest Reserves are only legal to hike in 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. I'm providing information that is factual instead of perpetuating a myth. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. I'm also attempting to educate people about how this place is being overrun by people who want to experience nature but are doing so at the cost of nature and for what? When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. There should be more information about this soon. There is parking outside the gate, which we recommend using in case you don't get back before they close the gates in the evening. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening By KITV4 Web Staff Mar 19, 2022 0 HONOLULU (KITV4) - Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. When you make it to the sign saying Kulanaahane continue on for another few meters until you will find the pathway on your left, which leads you across the rocky riverbed. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. That wouldnt be cheap. About 200 yards from the radio tower, the trail eases up and you begin to see the sweeping panoramic views over Honolulu and southern Oahu. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. Blah, blah, blah. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. This is quite the work out and worth the view. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. However, if you cross over and set foot on the platform of the satellite or venture onto the stairs you are now in an illegal area. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. Not runners, not tennis, etc. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. If you are interested in climbing the back (legal) way up to the summit you can contact @mike.karas on Instagram and chat with him about when his next tour is running as he hikes the trail most weeks. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Also please pack out your trash! We won't share it with anyone else. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Every trail I hike on this island and other islands is overrun, regulate yes, shut down no and certainly dont be a condescending dick about something you have zero authority over. Mahalo! This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. I hope to do it again someday. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. Still interested? Let's stay updated! In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. from around the world. Anthony J. Polizzi. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. Mahalo for reading this. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. A man who was hiking Hawaii's Olomana Trail reportedly plummeted hundreds of feet to his death on Sunday after he reportedly tried to grab his hat, marking the fourth death linked to the dangerous trail since 2011. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. As we continue on for the next few hours theres something encouraging about being able to zero in on where we started at Moanalua Valley Park and the remote summit before us, to visually track our progress. Amazing! One way to reach the off-limits Stairway to Heaven is to start on a different trail from Moanalua Valley. She was . The Oahu Stairway To Heaven was built by the US Navy in 1942, along with a radio station and giant antenna at the top of the mountain that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific during World War II. Thank you. Overall, AMAZING trail with the BEST views of the island!!! Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Lol ALOHAAAAA. It was beautiful! The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. Keep in mind, the adventurers MUST be respectful to neighbourhood residents living in this area. If people cared more about the "nature" that they so desperately enjoy in this valley, then I wouldn't even be on here. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. The time should be posted on the gate. Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. Oh my! You can read more here: https://www.haikustairs.org/. It is for this reason that it is NOT recommended to hike this trail in heavy rains due to flash flooding. Preview trail Dogs on leash Hiking Walking Bird watching River Views Waterfall Wildflowers Over grown Scramble Description Parking is at the Moanalua Valley Park (open from 7am - 7pm) at the end of Ala Aolani Street. Basically, politics and money got in the way of this epic hike. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? Really bites that we struggled through mud for miles and never found the trail. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. Legal climbing of the stairs would mean providing a non-intrusive access route through the neighborhood below, but that could easily be accomplished with the millions of taxpayer dollars that have been spent on security over the years. The left goes to the valley. I was wondering what hike is the one you took the first picture in!! How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. Go past it about 20 paces. A short walk . Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. Choose wisely! This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How (And Where) To Watch the Massive Waves on Oahu's North Shore. The weather today is just as my friend hoped for; hes been monitoring it daily since a week out to ensure the trail will be dry and moderately windless, opportune conditions for a hike that has us teetering across razor-thin sections with steep drops on either side. -Food. The trail is quite easy to follow for the first few miles with a wide path, winding you through lush forest and warming up your legs. Know yourself and what you need, and bring more than that. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. IG: @ lis.aloha. There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. Don't hike with this Mike guy on here , he reaches out and tries to rip you off and doesn't even hike it with you . Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. We put on our microspikes at the riverbed and they were handy all the way to the summit. This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. BLOG POST: If you are interested in my experience (many years ago) hiking the Stairway to Heaven the regular way you can check out my blog post here: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN HIKE ON OAHU, HAWAII: UPDATED 2021, OAHU HIKING GUIDE: Ive written a guide for the top hikes on Oahu that I am sure you will find useful: TOP 10 HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Its possible to walk up without the rope but I suggest having some gloves as most people will be holding onto the rope the whole time. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Create a password that only you will remember. The first 4.5 miles are perfectly legal and get you the same views as stairway (and you can walk on the stairway at the top if you want to). adventures and follow local regulations. Despite the drop-offs, the trail is quite well protected and unless it is a very windy day you should be fine unless you have little experience on ridges or with heights. Too many litterbugs on the island sadly. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. This is a beast of a hike, my friend says, as he slathers his face with sunscreen, the tinted kind that leaves streaks on your skin like war paint. no reports have been added for Moanalua Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. Dont sue the state. Parking: Park at the Moanalua Valley Park. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. Anthony J. Polizzi. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. We explored a few hundred meters down an abandoned set of stairs, quite sketchy and not recommended before turning back and returning towards the radio tower. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. "Novices have no business being on that hike. In its original inception, Hawaii's Interstate H3 highway was set to pass through Moanalua Valley, with its tunnel being bored right through Maunakapu, where the burials of some of Oahu's most sacred ali'i were said to be located. There is danger involved with traversing a mountain's ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact that's slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. Its been a wild ride. Ive done the Hawaii Haiku Stairs hike several times now, and even after traveling in many countries, its still probably my favorite trek in the world. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The group is part of the 15th Wing. Mahalo! Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. It's not easy to find. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. (Facebook). There is one short section of stairs that was mangled in a storm, but the damage is pretty minimal and you can pass that part without any trouble. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. The views are simply stunning and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Chinamans Hat near Kualoa Ranch and in the other direction, you can see all the way to Rabbit Island at Makapuu. It is only accessible by hiking approximately 2.5 miles up the Kamananui Valley Road Trail, where a marked sign on the left designates the trailhead. . Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. -Rain jacket/windbreaker . Be prepared. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views.