Fun hike. Also, it's a ridge..which could mean wind. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. 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. 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. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. But is the solution to shut everything down? So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Alone with some of the best views in the world. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. Thats how it works everywhere else, and its why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the mainland United States after all these years. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. No more news yet. Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. 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. a view? The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. It was intense & very rewarding. Plan accordingly. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. Been there. -Good shoes. $125.33. 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! At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. Pass the little sign and stream and itll be on your right. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. The Olomana Trail is strenuous a 4.5-mile rocky path spread across three different mountainous peaks, according toSummitPost.org. 804. per adult. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. Thanks for your support. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. 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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. One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. 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. 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) . It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. There should be more information about this soon. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. 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. The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal 'backway' to reach the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! 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? Editors Note: We love hiking! Good hike, perfectly legal way. 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. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. There is a security guard at the beginning. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. Not runners, not tennis, etc. The views are incredible and worth every minute and mile of this trail. A coworker identified the victim as Nathan Stowell, 24. 12. 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? The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. Here are my hiking essentials. 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. The trail begins at the end of Moanalua Valley at Moanalua Valley Park. Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. You can read about it in this SFGate article. Views are worth it. (iStock). The trail was washing away. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? Blah, blah, blah. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. All rights reserved. This is a review for hiking the Moanalua Valley to Middle Ridge to Tripler Ridge (AKA the legal back way to the Stairway to Heaven) and then down the stairs. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. -Headlamp. absolutely not! Test first before committing your weight on it. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Now that you have made it onto the Moanalua Middle Ridge, the trail is quite easy to follow as it basically follows the ridgeline all the way up to the summit. However, we wouldnt recommend running. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve (Moanalua section). 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. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail, and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tripler Army Medical Center Tuesday. A Mariposa County sheriff's deputy walks in a remote area near where a family and their dog were found dead . Please be respectful to the place we call home and follow the rules. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). 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. 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. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. The World Travel Guy 2023 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. Thank for your continued support. This blog post will explain some of the details and history of the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven hike, and then Ill discuss some of the politics behind the stairs and plans for their future. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) 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. Amazing! and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. Loving all your content and guidance! Drone shot of the mountain. Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. Do not attempt this hike. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. Give me a break!, its a hike, and a damn good one at that! -Food. Recommended. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. This Trail is ILLEGAL. It may never be surpassed! There are a few rope sections and some very intense drop offs on the sides for lots of the trail, so this is not for the faint of heart. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. The hike is four miles each way . Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. Make the risks known to people, but dont close all the hikes. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. 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. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. The time should be posted on the gate. I really hope they dont do that. 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. This is incorrect. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. 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. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. The Stairway to Heavenhike on Oahu, Hawaii, also known as the Haiku Stairs, is possibly the greatest attraction on the entire island. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Definitely not a short one. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. 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! 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. 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. ", 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.". Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. Family of hikers found dead on remote Sierra trail likely killed by heat, dehydration. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. Please explore other trails nearby. Let's stay updated! Originally the stairs were built in 1942 by the U.S. Navy as a top-secret facility for transmitting radio signals to ships that were sailing in the Pacific Ocean. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. So windy with no microspikes, gloces. Wear proper foot ware, including hiking boots, spikes, and gloves. ", "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. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. These are extremely helpful and if the trail is the least bit muddy they are a full-fledged necessity. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. To watch your footing. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". Translation: Its going to be a long day. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The trail becomes quite steep from this point on with lots of tree roots to scramble up, boulders to clamber over and small rope sections to navigate. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. Hold tight and watch your footing. 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! 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". The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. Preview trail Both times I did the hike, the security guard yelled at us from a distance but didnt seem to chase after us or call the police. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. Thanks for looking! 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. Past Week. The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. Not the one all the way to the left. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Judd Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.