We were SO excited to find a legal way to hike the Haiku Stairs. At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. 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. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. As the years have gone by and patience thinned then disappeared completely, hikers have tried to be more stealthy but its a little too late I dont know about you but if all that was happening on a near daily basis to my neighborhood, Id be pretty upset too! Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This Trail is ILLEGAL. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. We make our initial ascent. If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. Recommended. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 17, vanished five days ago while heading to the Haiku Stairs. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. 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. The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. . There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. Alone with some of the best views in the world. 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. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. If you do choose to continue on past the legal boundary and to the illegal area of the radio tower and reach the Haiku Stairs, this is what you can expect. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. a view? Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. There is a security guard at the beginning. 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 trailhead is located in the back of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and crosses seven old cobblestone bridges while making its way up the valley floor. A Mariposa County sheriff's deputy walks in a remote area near where a family and their dog were found dead . Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. My issue isn't with people hiking to the stairs, its with people using Moanalua to hike to the stairs and not caring about the impact they are leaving while doing so. Do not attempt this hike. The stairs are hiked by thousands of people every year, but the status of the trail is still in limbo because the state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and cant decide what to do with the stairs. So windy with no microspikes, gloces. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. 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? Werner Karl, you're right. Really bites that we struggled through mud for miles and never found the trail. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. Market data provided by Factset. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. Had to go the long way from Moanalua Valley (the legal way so not sure why this says its closed ~ unless its speaking of the actual stairs) I wanted to do this hike every since I moved here 17.5 years ago. Once you pass the sign and creek crossing go to the right, the trail behind the foliage, not the obvious one on the left. There are a few more rope sections and some very deep, muddy crevasses you will have to sneak through before you reach the top of this hike. A grueling 3,922 stairs lead up the imposing mountain ridge, often at an almost vertical incline, with only a handrail to catch you from falling into the valley below. Generally considered a challenging route. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. I think its best to begin just after sunrise as it can be quite a hot, exposed trail if you leave it too late in the day for the ascent. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. 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. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. Let's stay updated! Army: Airman assigned to 15th wing died after collapsing while hiking, Furnishings, appliances from Shirokiya Japan Village Walk up for auction, Former Mililani High athletic director indicted, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. -Food. The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. A guide to those volcanic terms: Pele's hair, caldera, volcanic ash -- learn what they mean, Suspect in deadly Kapiolani hit-and-run crash released from jail, Beware of counterfeit products this holiday shopping season, Homeland Security Investigations warns, Maui County residents asked to report property damage caused by massive weekend ocean swells, Thanksgiving travel should be less chaotic than summer, Sunday Morning Weather - Light Trade Winds Continue. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. 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. Spikes and gloves definitely help but arent 100% necessary. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. Park in the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park parking lot at 1857 Ala Aolani St. As you walk up the dirt road, you will reach a chain link gate leading to the dirt road. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail Hard 4.7 (4054) Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Photos (5,132) Directions Print/PDF map Length 9.2 miElevation gain 2,998 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy this 9.2-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. Be prepared for lots of mud! Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. Loving all your content and guidance! On my hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail, I went halfway down the stairs and back up just to explore and then returned via the Moanalua Valley Trail although I met some people who were going to try and exit via the stairs. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Create a password that only you will remember. Lots of people sliding down on the trail or ripping out plants because they dont have traction damages the trail and makes it worse for everyone else. Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. It was beautiful! This trail in Oahu, also known as the Haiku Stairs, takes you to the top of the Koolau mountains via 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. You can read about it in this SFGate article. 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. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. The trail begins at the end of Moanalua Valley at Moanalua Valley Park. Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! It was intense & very rewarding. In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. 29, 2020 while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Please explore responsibly! These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. 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. Oh my! One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. For me personally, it was well worth any of the risks involved! A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Polizzi, said Col. Dan Dobbels, 15th Wing commander. 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. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Im 100% in favor of keeping the stairway and letting hikers continue to hike it, but, David, you might want to add another item to bring with you on this hike a respectful & considerate disposition. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Please explore other trails nearby. Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning signs. ! There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. This is quite the work out and worth the view. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @mike.karas or email me at mikekarasphotography@gmail.com if youd like to join or like gear for the hike I have plenty of microspikes and gloves. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. 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. 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. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. Please explore other trails nearby. from around the world. Be prepared. Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. Usually trail run in the valley or hike up the ridge a couple times a week. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Parking: Park at the Moanalua Valley Park. If you fall at dusk you might very well spend the night in the jungle. You can go all the way up and assess the situation and make your decisions from there but even if you dont want to venture onto the illegal area you will have great views so it is still worth the journey either way. 2023 Stars and Stripes. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. Love this hike! 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. Keep in mind, the adventurers MUST be respectful to neighbourhood residents living in this area. Please be respectful to the place we call home and follow the rules. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. The hike is four miles each way . So long as you make the right turn in The Valley you can easily find your way up, assuming youre up to the effort. We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. All rights reserved. The victim plunged off Mount Olomana's third peak, near Kailua, around 10:50 a.m.,Hawaii News Now reported, citing the Honolulu Fire Department. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. Firefighters hiked up the trail and made contact with the woman at 10:12 p.m., and determined both hikers were uninjured so, it was decided to escort the hikers on foot. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete 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. 12. Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. That hasnt stopped locals, hikers, and tourists sneaking past a guard who is posted at the bottom of the stairs to experience the thrilling 4000ft long climb along an 18-inch wide staircase reaching heights of above 2000ft. 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. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. 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.
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