Once at the summit of the Moanalua Valley Trail you will essentially enjoy the view and then turn back around and head down the way you came. listen to flash flood warnings. Once you are inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, you will find the trail at the back of the park. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? 11 hikers stranded by rising rivers on Moanalua Valley trail safely Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. 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). Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. The Moanalua Valley Trail begins at the end of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. All rights reserved. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. 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. MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. You have permission to edit this article. I did this hike solo about a month ago. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. 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). Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. 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. Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Be careful on your footing & hand placements not all branches are build to hold your weight. Unfortunately, in September 2021, the city administration randomly reversed this decision and decided they would rather spend $1.3 million to remove the stairs, which could happen as soon as 2023. The time should be posted on the gate. Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! 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. 0 rides ; 6 Months. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. 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. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. To watch your footing. Finiahed in 10 hours. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Blah, blah, blah. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. This Trail is ILLEGAL. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. There is no legal way to the stairs. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. 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. 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. After all, well be inching closer to the sun at an elevation gain of about 2,585 feet from where were currently standing. 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. I was wondering what hike is the one you took the first picture in!! 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. When you make it to the sign saying Kulanaahane continue on for another few meters until you will find the pathway on your left, which leads you across the rocky riverbed. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Good luck and enjoy! 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. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. HFD suspends search for missing hiker - Hawaii News Now HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. Moanalua Valley Trail 4 0 ftHiking Trails Pearl Harbor National Memorial 13,695 2.7 miHistoric Sites Military Bases & Facilities USS Arizona Memorial 27,032 Historic Sites Cemeteries See all See what other travelers are saying JacksonJones 24 contributions Amazing Ridge Hike to the Top of the Haiku Stairs My issue is with the erosion scar that's been exacerbated ten-fold on the middle ridge allowing invasive species to spread further and further to the summit. Its been a wild ride. Ill keep this blog post updated. 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. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. All Rights Reserved. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. Don't hike with this Mike guy on here , he reaches out and tries to rip you off and doesn't even hike it with you . 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. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. Bummer, this trail is closed. -2L water MINIMUM. 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. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. Good hike, perfectly legal way. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. Hold tight and watch your footing. They are fairly obvious when you cross over them and from the time you start there will be 17 crossings prior to the Middle Ridge Trailhead. 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. Bring ziplock bag to gather your trash respect the land & beauty of the island. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. Please explore other trails nearby. A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. Here are my hiking essentials. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. She was . More advanced hike along the ridge line. That wouldnt be cheap. Climbing Haiku Stairs on Oahu - realhawaii.co No skate shoes.) I hope this clears up YEARS of misconceptions about this trail. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. 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. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Also, it's a ridge..which could mean wind. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. 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! 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. 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). 29, 2020 while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Moanalua Valley Trail - Yelp Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! 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. Kulana'ahane to H-3 Summit Saddle | Map, Guide - AllTrails Usually trail run in the valley or hike up the ridge a couple times a week. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Preview trail You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. All rights reserved. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. Invalid password or account does not exist. All rights reserved. Hawaii Camping Reservation - Reservations After you reach the first platform, the hike flattens out quite a bit and things get much easier. 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. There is a security guard at the beginning. 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. 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. This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. 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. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. (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.) 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. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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 valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. 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. In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about the Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs including distance, elevation, legalities, what to bring, and how to avoid trouble on this route. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. from around the world. He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. 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. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." 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. We make our initial ascent. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. You definitely want good weather for this hike. 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 dangerous trail since 2011. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Let's stay updated! This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 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 government in Oahu has a habit of closing any hike they consider slightly risky, because it might attract lawsuits. 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. Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. The stairs start in the Haiku Valley, under the H3 highway (John A. Burns Freeway) and they wind up the side of a mountain near Kaneohe, called Puukeahiakahoe. Alone with some of the best views in the world. 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. Ghosts and Night Marchers in Moanalua Mysteries of Hawai'i 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.
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