If you want to see this place legally with almost no chance of fines, you can hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail on the back side of the same mountain. Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. He was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead, the Air Force said. Keep in mind, the adventurers MUST be respectful to neighbourhood residents living in this area. 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. More advanced hike along the ridge line. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. Be careful. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. This is quite the work out and worth the view. I'm providing information that is factual instead of perpetuating a myth. Mahalo for reading this. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. 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The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. There should be more information about this soon. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal 'backway' to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. (10-15) When I got to the top there was probably 10 or so people hanging out which is cool and all, but took away from the experience for me. Legal? Ill keep this blog post updated. The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. However, the whole Haiku valley is surrounded by a residential area with fences, yappy dogs, and a security guard, with only a few possible entrances. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. The hike is four miles each way . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. Personally I think hikers should decide for themselves what kind of risks theyre comfortable with, but bear the responsibility themselves if they have an accident. For safety. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. The only death Im aware of was caused by a heart attack in a middle aged hiker (that steep ascent to platform one can be strenuous). You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. If you decide to bring Fido, keep him leashed. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. Not the one all the way to the left. -Food. The Moanalua Valley Trail begins at the end of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. I feel surprisingly renewed by this and take a moment to find my center of gravity before retracing the long way back. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's not easy to find. Bring water & food. Market data provided by Factset. Even with all the information there is floating around online to help hikers prepare for it, I prefer to have a guide, someone in the flesh whos done this before, to lead the way to the finale peak, Puu Keahi a Kahoe, at the back of Moanalua Valley. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Just wished the front way was open, For experienced hikers dont do alone unless youre a pro & even then let someone know where you are. After all, well be inching closer to the sun at an elevation gain of about 2,585 feet from where were currently standing. Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. We won't share it with anyone else. 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. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. Date of experience: June 2019. No skate shoes.) Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. 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. A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. ! Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. More recently, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi has publicly stated he may be willing to consider new options to save the Haiku Stairs, and Hawaii Senator Schatz has pitched the idea of handing it over to the federal government to renovate and operate, with a different entrance so all parties are happy. Do NOT take this route. There is no legal way to the stairs. A coworker identified the victim as Nathan Stowell, 24. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. But is the solution to shut everything down? He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. 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. (That said, while you may take in the jaw-dropping views it showcases of Oahu at the hikes summit, the stairs themselves are still illegal to go down and trespass on, regardless of how youve reached them.) No experience and with a 8 year old. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. 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. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . Amazing! One of my favorite trails, with tons of side trails, pools, and ruins to explore. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. shoes meant for hiking. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Good luck and enjoy! Polizzi was on the hike with a group of friends. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Dont sue the state. Overall, I think the risk of death on the Stairway To Heaven in Hawaii is greatly overstated, and as long as youre careful you should be fine. Even the Kalalau Trail is open in Kauai despite being much more risky than the Stairway To Heaven. If you have all trails just follow that! Please be prepared! IG: @ lis.aloha. I hope to do it again someday. Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. No more news yet. The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. from. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal backway to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Speaking of which, please be respectful of the local neighborhood and dont make noise or throw trash, and definitely dont jump any fences or go into anyones yard. Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. Ownership of the stairs was given to the city of Honolulu, and supposedly they were planning to turn the Haiku Stairs hike into a paid attraction. 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. 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. Its towering heights along a steep ridge could cause a sudden slip to be fatal. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. To watch your footing. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. Instagram @dblock55. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. Been there. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. 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. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. Legal Statement. 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. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. from around the world. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. 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. 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. TEEN GIRL DIES IN FALL FROM CLIFF HIKE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK. Don't listen to the naysayers who hate tourists. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. 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. 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? A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. It was intense & very rewarding. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. 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. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. 0 rides ; 6 Months. We make our initial ascent. You can read about it in this SFGate article. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Tripadvisor performs checks on . Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Disappointed that I didnt have a chance to make that trek. There are many more to check out! 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. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. Bring ziplock bag to gather your trash respect the land & beauty of the island. The trail starts as a road barred by a green gate. People claim the stairs are dangerous but they are a lot safer than climbing the mountains without stairs which is what people are doing to avoid breaking the law (but then they get on the stairs at the top for photos). ", "You were one of the most out going [sic], funniest, and happiest people Ive ever had the chance to get to know and call a friend," wrote friend Greg Glawatz in another Facebook post. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. I explored the radio tower, Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven), and a set of abandoned, overgrown stairs. 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. There are notable repeat offenders that continue to make 4 or 5-digit profits in a single week, none of which benefits the environment which they are degrading. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. It may sound dramatic but at times that is the situation. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? An absolutely amazing experience. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. 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. After the first three miles, when you start to ascend, it could get really slippery, if youre not an experienced hiker, DO NOT do this hike after rainy days. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Moanalua Valley Trail (backway to Stairway to Heaven) and have good luck and good weather on your journey! In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail. Usually trail run in the valley or hike up the ridge a couple times a week. Fair enough. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? A non-profit group called Friends of Haiku Stairs has drawn up some good plans for keeping the staircase and re-opening it with managed access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and minimal disturbance to the local neighborhood. Its here, you should remind yourself, as you make your initial descent, not to rush. . Stick to the main trailfollow a tributary path, and you may wind up in Waimano Valley. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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. -Good shoes. Beyond the legality of this hike, whether you are a local or just visiting Hawaii, doing this hike shows great disrespect to Hawaii, its people, its natural resources, and our culture. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. The Moanalua Valley Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs is a 10.7 mile (roundtrip) hike along varying terrains with several rope climb sections and very narrow ridge climbing. Bummer, this trail is closed. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. Oh my! You need to take the MIDDLE option. The World Travel Guy 2023 Lol ALOHAAAAA. I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. One hiker, Dale Yoshuizu, told the station that while he'd done the hike "a lot of times it makes you aware that no matter how many times you've done the hike you need to be careful. 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. 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. I wont share the location and exact directions to the stairway here publicly, but I understand there are at least three different main ways to reach the stairs from the neighborhood below, and Ive used two of them in the past. 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. Parking: Park at the Moanalua Valley Park. Anthony Polizzi, said Col. Dan Dobbels, 15th Wing commander. If you knew anything about natural resources, you'd understand that this isn't just about respecting something that's sacred but rather protecting a watershed that provides benefits that you clearly take for granted. This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. Our group did good timing but it was Still LONGGGG I believe I did it in 7 Hrs 45 mins (started about 5:30am - about 4 hrs or less to Get to top 9:15am, 30mins enjoying view / pics / eating 9:45am descend , arrived at my car by 1:20pm to get back took 3hr 35mins) I was beyond exhausted tho, my body was in survival mode at that point & just want to not be hiking anymore lol! Wonderful read! 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Choose wisely! Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. Preview trail We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. If you want to do a guided hike anywhere on State Lands, please ask the guide to see a copy of their commercial use permit, issued by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. $125.33. It may never be surpassed! If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. "It was an absolute honor when you asked me to commission you into the Air Force," wrote David Michael Rothzeid in a Facebook post. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred!