. Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head in my opinion, but Koko Head is still a great hike in its own way, and its completely legal, so its a good choice if you want another challenging hike with some fantastic island views. Please find another hike. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. 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. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). Thanks for looking! Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. Loving all your content and guidance! Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? 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. 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.. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. Its not quite the same experience as climbing the stairs from the bottom up, but you can still reach the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail at the top and go back down in either direction when youre done. One of my favorite trails, with tons of side trails, pools, and ruins to explore. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. 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. 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. These are extremely helpful and if the trail is the least bit muddy they are a full-fledged necessity. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. It definitely is not legal to set foot on the Haiku Stairs or the satellite area at the summit. There is no legal way to the stairs. Dont sue the state. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. Love this hike! Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. Here are my hiking essentials. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. Be prepared for lots of mud! 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. It may sound dramatic but at times that is the situation. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. 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. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. You have permission to edit this article. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail, and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tripler Army Medical Center Tuesday. The group is part of the 15th Wing. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics. 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. Invalid password or account does not exist. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. 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). Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. Not muddy today. 14 guest maximum. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. 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. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. Be prepared. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is parking in the park parking lot, but it's only open from 7 am to 7 pm. 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. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. Good hike, perfectly legal way. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred!
There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Still interested? An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. 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. Not the one all the way to the left. 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. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. 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. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Legal? For safety. Fun hike. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. 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 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. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - Oahu, Hawaii | AllTrails The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes 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. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=11354. Oh my! Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. Translation: Its going to be a long day. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Hold tight and watch your footing. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. The Haiku Stairs Hawaii hike is steep and strenuous, but the toughest part is the first 1/3rd of the stairway leading up to platform one. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. listen to flash flood warnings. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. 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. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. In total the hike is 5.2 miles with 2585 ft in elevation gain (basically all of this is condensed into the final 2 miles). 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. For a complete list of LEGAL State Trails, please visit hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails Lastly, guided hikes and other commercial activity being conducted inside Moanalua valley are illegal.
Kulana'ahane Trail | Outdoor Project Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. Recommended. 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. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. 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. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Drone shot of the mountain.
MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Blah, blah, blah. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. At another, I cut up my knuckles clawing for exposed roots to keep from tumbling down the rugged spine. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening.
Moanalua Valley Trail Hiking Trail - Pearl City, HI - Trailforks As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike.
How to Get to Seven Bridges in Hawaii | USA Today Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 17, vanished five days ago while heading to the Haiku Stairs. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! 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. Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. absolutely not! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. Talk Kaimuk Has Coffee Drinks by Day, Cocktails at Night, Where to Find Mochi and Other Sweet Treats for Girls Day in Honolulu, The Bowl that Converted Me: Saimin at Janes Fountain, AYCE Nights: My Favorite All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot Spots in Honolulu, Photos: 2023 Best Dentists in Hawaii Reception, The Top 5 Whiskey Drinks to Order at ELEVEN, The HDS Tooth Fairy is Coming Back to Kakaako, A Locals Guide to an Oahu Road Trip: Wahiaw to Salt Lake, Spring Fashion Feature: Proud Hawaiian Model Mahina Florence Inspires Murals, 10 Local Ocean-Friendly Restaurants on Oahu to Try Now, February 2023: Our Top 3 Most-Viewed Posts About Oahus Food Scene, Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: March 28, 2023, 28 Irresistibly Cute Girls Day Gifts for Women and Keiki, Why We Eat Mochi and Display Dolls on Girls Day in Hawaii, My 12 Favorite Restaurants Off the Strip in Las Vegas. Do NOT take this route. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail.
Moanalua Valley Trail - Yelp The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. The trail was washing away. Lol ALOHAAAAA. The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. To watch your footing. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. from around the world. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. 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). It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. 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. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! Being inside the boundaries of the TMK parcel that the stairs is built on is a finable offense for having broken property and trespass laws. Legal Statement. Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique.
Ghosts and Night Marchers in Moanalua Mysteries of Hawai'i Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail - YouTube Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth!
Moanalua Middle Ridge (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. 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. To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. Theres also a legal way to reach the top of the mountain by climbing it from the backside via Moanalua Valley trail, which Ill explain in more detail later in this guide. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. Been there. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. At this point, it becomes a ridge walk as you keep gradually ascending to the radio tower, and even on a cloudy day the views are spectacular.
DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. More advanced hike along the ridge line. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. Choose wisely! This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. adventures and follow local regulations. A short walk .
Oahu Hike of the Month: Moanalua Valley Trail Do not attempt this hike. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. shoes meant for hiking. 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. She was . Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. Thanks Billie! 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. The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. Wonderful read! 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. 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.
Stairway To Heaven Hawaii Hike: Epic Haiku Stairs Oahu Trail 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. Bring A LOT of water, snacks, sunscreen and gloves really help for the ropes. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. Please tag along! The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees.
Moanalua Valley Trail - Moanalua Valley Trail - Tripadvisor The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs.
Hawaii Camping Reservation - Reservations I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve (Moanalua section). In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail.