Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. IG: @ lis.aloha. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Make the risks known to people, but dont close all the hikes. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. At another, I cut up my knuckles clawing for exposed roots to keep from tumbling down the rugged spine. Anthony J. Polizzi. If you decide to bring Fido, keep him leashed. Alone with some of the best views in the world. After you reach the first platform, the hike flattens out quite a bit and things get much easier. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! 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. 29, 2020 while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. The seemingly level elevation from point A to point B can be misleading and the giddy nature of being so close can come with a lack of focus. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! 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 ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. 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. Translation: Its going to be a long day. 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. No experience and with a 8 year old. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. 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). or redistributed. 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. "Novices have no business being on that hike. 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. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. shoes meant for hiking. Preview trail (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. Do NOT take this route. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. There is a security guard at the beginning. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. Mahalo for reading this. -2L water MINIMUM. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. 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) . Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. (Damon was the son of Bernice Pauahi Bishops husbands business partner. To watch your footing. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. ", 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.". The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. 0 rides ; 6 Months. 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 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. For safety. If someone is offering to take you on a hike for a fee, you should report them to the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement. Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Here are my hiking essentials. I was wondering what hike is the one you took the first picture in!! Disappointed that I didnt have a chance to make that trek. Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. Choose wisely! It was beautiful! Be careful. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! 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. 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. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. 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. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. I really hope they dont do that. The 2nd mile of this trail brings 1100 ft of elevation, is far more exposed and the trail teeters in the middle of sharp angled drop offs on either side. Youll encounter a couple more ropes (as you did during the Moanalua hike) which will be instrumental in getting down some of the slopes. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. Ill add a note about that in the article. 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. 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. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. A coworker identified the victim as Nathan Stowell, 24. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. 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. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). Usually trail run in the valley or hike up the ridge a couple times a week. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. Firefighters had to comb through a wooded area and ask a hiker to shake a tree before they found the body just after noon, Fire Captain KevinMokulehua said. 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). Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. You definitely want good weather for this hike. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky. Mahalo! At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. 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. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. A short walk . Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. The trailhead is located in the back of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and crosses seven old cobblestone bridges while making its way up the valley floor. 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. 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. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. 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. 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. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. . When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. We make our initial ascent. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. Instagram @dblock55. Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. We won't share it with anyone else. Tripadvisor performs checks on . Dinner and Show Tickets. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. I was wondering 10.4 miles is it a round trip? Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. Its Definitely challenging get rest water food. 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. Werner Karl, you're right. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. There is parking in the park parking lot, but it's only open from 7 am to 7 pm. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. All Rights Reserved. Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 17, vanished five days ago while heading to the Haiku Stairs. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. 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. Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. 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? 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. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. 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). Don't. That wouldnt be cheap. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. 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. 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? This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. I did this hike solo about a month ago. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. (10-15) When I got to the top there was probably 10 or so people hanging out which is cool and all, but took away from the experience for me. Anthony J. Polizzi. 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. Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. Once you are inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, you will find the trail at the back of the park. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. 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. You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) The steepest section of stairs is actually near the start of the hike, right before you reach the first platform. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. 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. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. Thanks for your support. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. 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. 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. Wonderful read! Heed no trespassing and other warning signs. 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. 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 see J T s comments below before attempting this. 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. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. Generally considered a challenging route. It was intense & very rewarding. Can see the water on both sides of the islands the further up you 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. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. 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 guide to those volcanic terms: Pele's hair, caldera, volcanic ash -- learn what they mean, Suspect in deadly Kapiolani hit-and-run crash released from jail, Beware of counterfeit products this holiday shopping season, Homeland Security Investigations warns, Maui County residents asked to report property damage caused by massive weekend ocean swells, Thanksgiving travel should be less chaotic than summer, Sunday Morning Weather - Light Trade Winds Continue. Bring a cell phone, which can be a lifesaver during an emergency. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Anthony Polizzi, said Col. Dan Dobbels, 15th Wing commander. . Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. 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. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. Hold tight and watch your footing. He was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead, the Air Force said. Please find another hike. (Facebook). Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. 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). Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. Good hike, perfectly legal way. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. Thank for your continued support. Wear proper foot ware, including hiking boots, spikes, and gloves. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. Loving all your content and guidance! The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy This is my Journey Era. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. You need to take the MIDDLE option. A Mariposa County sheriff's deputy walks in a remote area near where a family and their dog were found dead . Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! Eventually, a sliver of the Pacific Ocean peeks out from the other side of the mountain and, before I know it, were at our destination, rewarded with a panoramic view of the Windward Side. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. 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. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. 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. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. 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. Been there. Thank you. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. -Good shoes. 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. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. Please explore other trails nearby. In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. 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. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. 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. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. But is the solution to shut everything down? 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. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. Mahalo! All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Create a password that only you will remember. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 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. 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. 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. Past Week. Finiahed in 10 hours. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. 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. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. Bring A LOT of water, snacks, sunscreen and gloves really help for the ropes. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY] Hard 4.7 (2199) Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Photos (5,275) Directions Print/PDF map Length 10.5 miElevation gain 5,029 ftRoute type Out & back Bummer, this trail is closed.