Please explore other trails nearby. It was beautiful! Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. However, its possible to take some great pictures on the stairs and then leave via Moanalua without hiking the entire stairway from top to bottom, that way you get to experience some of both hikes. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. Test first before committing your weight on it. These are extremely helpful and if the trail is the least bit muddy they are a full-fledged necessity. Overnight parking is not allowed in Moanalua Valley Park - the gate is locked and the park is closed at a certain hour. or redistributed. The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. 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. I feel surprisingly renewed by this and take a moment to find my center of gravity before retracing the long way back. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. When I did the Haiku Stairs Oahu trek for the first time on my birthday in 2016, the weather started out clear but then some clouds came in. Loved every minute of it! The World Travel Guy 2023 Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. Native plants along the ridge and rare apapane (Hawaiian honeycreeper) sightings aside, the hike has grown in popularity over the years because of its whispered status as a legal access route, the back way, to the infamous HaikuStairs. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. This Trail is ILLEGAL. 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. If you fall at dusk you might very well spend the night in the jungle. Follow a small path in the grass, or walk to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. Eat healthy foods bring nuts, fruits like bananas or mandarins to get quick sugar fixes so you can have quick energy (if you can have those things) . Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. 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). Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. 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. Drone shot of the mountain. 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I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. 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). While holding back any visions of being on the verge of setting foot on an old Dharma station (LOST fans, you'll understand once you're there), the 20-30 minute hike to the radio tower is full of its own challenges. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. The trail was washing away. 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. 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. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. You may also be wondering how Stairway To Heaven compares to the infamous Koko Crater Trail in Oahu, also known as the Koko Head Stairs of Doom.. Please explore responsibly! Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Wear spikes if you have them, makes most of the trail up the ridge line easier. You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. There are shorter hikes on this island with better views and less risk. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. 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. 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. 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. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. Maybe we miscounted the 4 wheel drive crossings because we were at 15 or 16 when we hit the Kulana'ahane trailhead (on the left). I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. 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. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. Thanks for looking! Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. I also didnt get enough sleep dont be like me. Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky. After you reach the first platform, the hike flattens out quite a bit and things get much easier. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. But, this is just the beginning, and there are more to scale, a handful of which require ropes already strung along its steepest sections, and I gather this will be the theme of the day: up and down, then up again until theres nowhere else to climb. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. After Kahahana's death, a plot was laid to kill all the chiefs of Maui on the same . A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th Maintenance Group at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Air Force said in a statement Thursday. it's not. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Translation: Its going to be a long day. The police sometimes send an officer to hike up to the summit to give out fines and one time a police helicopter even landed up there. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Otherwise, as with many other Hawaiian hikes, closed means be prepared, respectful, and most of all, not stupid, Is anyone interested in doing the hike Tues 11/13 or Wed 11/14? Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. Lol ALOHAAAAA. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. Eventually you will crest on a peak with a sign pointing the way you've come, the first indication of the trails actual name of "Middle Ridge". We recommend packing an external back-up battery. Moanalua Valley. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. 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? Once you pass the sign and creek crossing go to the right, the trail behind the foliage, not the obvious one on the left. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. 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. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. You need to take the MIDDLE option. ", James Keener, of Hawaii Fresh Farms where Stowell worked, according to his Facebook page, wrote that the 24-year-oldwas like a son to himand "died the way he lived, taking chances, and living everyday to its fullest.". Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his heroics in Vietnam, US to send bridge-launching vehicles for tank deployments to Ukraine in new $400M aid package, Japan complains to US over Utah senators remarks on imprisoned Navy officer, Military, VA provide troops, vets more gun safety options to help reduce suicides, Pentagon tells service members to stop displaying giant US flags at major events, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. 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. a view? Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail. This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. The back way to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. Basically, politics and money got in the way of this epic hike. 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. 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. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. Even the Kalalau Trail is open in Kauai despite being much more risky than the Stairway To Heaven. I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. 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. Be prepared for lots of mud! Be careful on your footing & hand placements not all branches are build to hold your weight. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. It was intense & very rewarding. -Good shoes. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! The trail begins at the end of Moanalua Valley at Moanalua Valley Park. 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). (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. Finiahed in 10 hours. 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. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. As soon as you veer from top of the middle ridge, roughly 2000ft from the top of the stairs, you are trespassing and can be fined for doing so. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. 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. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. Definitely not a short one. To stay safe on this hike, just wear shoes with good grip and remember to keep three points of contact at all times. This is the trail that leads you up the Moanalua Ridge, also known as the Moanalua Middle Ridge. She was . The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. Aloha! Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. 29, 2020 while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. $125.33. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Moanalua Middle Ridge is a challenging, 11- to 12-mile, out-and-back hike in Central Oahu, a journey that, more or less, takes eight hours to complete. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. The view is wonderful worth the hike. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. The Moanalua Valley Trail isnt as popular as the Haiku Stairs themselves but it is growing in popularity and the trail can get quite busy. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. Date of experience: June 2019. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. 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. Anthony J. Polizzi. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. Give me a break!, its a hike, and a damn good one at that! We put on our microspikes at the riverbed and they were handy all the way to the summit. Basically, when you reach the top of the Moanalua Middle Ridge trail you will have great views and are within a stones throw of the satellite at the summit. Create a password that only you will remember. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. 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. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. The Stairway to Heavenhike on Oahu, Hawaii, also known as the Haiku Stairs, is possibly the greatest attraction on the entire island. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. Judd Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. 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. 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. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. adventures and follow local regulations. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. 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. Did this exact hike. If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. 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. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. Fun hike. 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. Here are my hiking essentials. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. Oh my! Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. "Novices have no business being on that hike. If you have all trails just follow that! All rights reserved. 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. -Food. 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). The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. Also, it's a ridge..which could mean wind. 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. 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 middle ridge in Moanalua is home to many native species not found anywhere else in the world, and being at the top of the ridge, the effects of illegal hikers and illegal tours ripples down into the valley. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. Don't. Its absolutely gorgeous. 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. The path is quite wide and at many points there are forks in the road which come back to the same point after about 20 yards. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. However, we wouldnt recommend running. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. Thank for your continued support. 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. The Haiku Stairs Hawaii trail was officially closed in the 1980s, and its been damaged a little (and repaired) on and off in the years since then. Plan accordingly. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. 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. Legal? TEEN GIRL DIES IN FALL FROM CLIFF HIKE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Stick to the main trailfollow a tributary path, and you may wind up in Waimano Valley. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. from around the world. 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! 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. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. the city administration randomly reversed this decision, Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii - Fun, Couples, & Free, Best Hikes In Oahu Hawaii - Most Epic & Beautiful Hiking Trails, 16 Great Zion Hikes: Best Hikes In Zion National Park, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine, Breckenridge Troll Hike: Isak Heartstone Location & Directions, Acatenango Volcano Hike: Volcan De Fuego Guatemala, Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! 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.