Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Lots of people sliding down on the trail or ripping out plants because they dont have traction damages the trail and makes it worse for everyone else. I wouldnt recommend this trek if you have a big fear of heights, but most people who do the hike will agree its not nearly as bad as they expected. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Legal climbing of the stairs would mean providing a non-intrusive access route through the neighborhood below, but that could easily be accomplished with the millions of taxpayer dollars that have been spent on security over the years. shoes meant for hiking. To begin the Moanalua Valley Trail you will first need to drive to the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and park in the streets nearby. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Preview trail Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! Please tag along! Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. Thanks Billie! Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. I was wondering what hike is the one you took the first picture in!! 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. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. I was wondering 10.4 miles is it a round trip? WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? Firefighters hiked up the trail and made contact with the woman at 10:12 p.m., and determined both hikers were uninjured so, it was decided to escort the hikers on foot. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Love this hike! 2 Thank bognarofsydney . Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. 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. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. For me personally, it was well worth any of the risks involved! The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Access to the public is restricted. All Rights Reserved. Its absolutely gorgeous. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. It may never be surpassed! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. 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. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. Anthony J. Polizzi. Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. The Associated Press contributed to this report. There is danger involved with traversing a mountains ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact thats slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. adventures and follow local regulations. 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. The view is wonderful worth the hike. . Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 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 were SO excited to find a legal way to hike the Haiku Stairs. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Dinner and Show Tickets. The group is part of the 15th Wing. Oh my! Polizzi graduated from Miami University, Ohio, from which he was commissioned through ROTC and entered the Air Force June 7, 2011. 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. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. This Trail is ILLEGAL. 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 Can see the water on both sides of the islands the further up you hike. Please be prepared! Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. This is incorrect. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. Thanks for looking! Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. Have some light. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 2023 Stars and Stripes. 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. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. 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. 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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. Good hike, perfectly legal way. This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Ill keep this blog post updated. This is my Journey Era. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. 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). A grueling 3,922 stairs lead up the imposing mountain ridge, often at an almost vertical incline, with only a handrail to catch you from falling into the valley below. That isnt to say people arent, or should not be super respectful, ie, no trash, tread lightly, be quiet, etc, all that goes with just being a responsible and respectful human being. ", 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.". No experience and with a 8 year old. It's 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 you're done. To watch your footing. The government in Oahu has a habit of closing any hike they consider slightly risky, because it might attract lawsuits. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. 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. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How (And Where) To Watch the Massive Waves on Oahu's North Shore. 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. He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. 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. The key in the first part of the hike is to be cognizant of the distance you are covering as the ridge trail is somewhat hidden and can be easily missed. 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. 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. 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. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. 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. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. Ethical? After Kahahana's death, a plot was laid to kill all the chiefs of Maui on the same . The World Travel Guy 2023 I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii 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. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. 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. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. Fun hike. 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. -2L water MINIMUM. Test first before committing your weight on it. That hasnt stopped locals, hikers, and tourists sneaking past a guard who is posted at the bottom of the stairs to experience the thrilling 4000ft long climb along an 18-inch wide staircase reaching heights of above 2000ft. Such an exhilarating trail that really puts your body and mind to the ultimate test. Judd Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Really bites that we struggled through mud for miles and never found the trail. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. 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. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. Lol ALOHAAAAA. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. 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. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. 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. 14 guest maximum. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. If you decide to bring Fido, keep him leashed. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. To stay safe on this hike, just wear shoes with good grip and remember to keep three points of contact at all times. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. Overnight parking is not allowed in Moanalua Valley Park - the gate is locked and the park is closed at a certain hour. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. We won't share it with anyone else. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". Drone shot of the mountain. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 0 rides ; 6 Months. So long as you make the right turn in The Valley you can easily find your way up, assuming youre up to the effort. 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. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. He was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead, the Air Force said. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. 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. 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. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. "It was an absolute honor when you asked me to commission you into the Air Force," wrote David Michael Rothzeid in a Facebook post. Werner Karl, you're right. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. Still interested? You need to take the MIDDLE option. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. 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. IG: @ lis.aloha. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. 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) . We make our initial ascent. It is for this reason that it is NOT recommended to hike this trail in heavy rains due to flash flooding. 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. 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. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. Loving all your content and guidance! Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. 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 . 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! Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. Please explore other trails nearby. On my hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail, I went halfway down the stairs and back up just to explore and then returned via the Moanalua Valley Trail although I met some people who were going to try and exit via the stairs. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. 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. 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. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. ", "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. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. Ill add a note about that in the article. Thank you. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) 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. 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! 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. 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. Generally considered a challenging route. 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. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Im 100% in favor of keeping the stairway and letting hikers continue to hike it, but, David, you might want to add another item to bring with you on this hike a respectful & considerate disposition. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Please explore responsibly! Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes.