Lol ALOHAAAAA. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. $125.33. If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. 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. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Oh my! In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the 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. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. No experience and with a 8 year old. 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. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Thanks for your support. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. Stairway To Heaven Hawaii Hike: Epic Haiku Stairs Oahu Trail This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Been there. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening By KITV4 Web Staff Mar 19, 2022 0 HONOLULU (KITV4) - Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. Werner Karl, you're right. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. There are a few more rope sections and some very deep, muddy crevasses you will have to sneak through before you reach the top of this hike. I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! 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! HFD suspends search for missing hiker - Hawaii News Now The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. Know yourself and what you need, and bring more than that. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. 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. Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. 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 Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. 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. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Dinner and Show Tickets. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th Maintenance Group at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Air Force said in a statement Thursday. I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. 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. You can read more here: https://www.haikustairs.org/. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. To watch your footing. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. Kulana'ahane Trail | Outdoor Project It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. Ill also share my full experience and all of my photos including some epic shots from the summit so you can get an idea of why this was one of my favorite hikes on Oahu, Hawaii. Thanks Billie! Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. 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) . At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. 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. Polizzi was on the hike with a group of friends. The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. Kamananui Valley Road | Outdoor Project Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). 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). 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. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. 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. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. The left goes to the valley. Alone with some of the best views in the world. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. 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. -Rain jacket/windbreaker . Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. Thank for your continued support. 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. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. 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. 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. Recommended. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. 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 . Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. Market data provided by Factset. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. 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. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. You need to take the MIDDLE option. The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. However, we wouldnt recommend running. You can read about it in this SFGate article. Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. Try hike the Lanikai pill box brah. Mahalo! The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. Loving all your content and guidance! You may also be wondering how Stairway To Heaven compares to the infamous Koko Crater Trail in Oahu, also known as the Koko Head Stairs of Doom.. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). How to Get to Seven Bridges in Hawaii | USA Today This is a fun hike in central Oahu that leads to multiple water falls! The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning signs. from around the world. There is a security guard at the beginning. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. To begin the Moanalua Valley Trail you will first need to drive to the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and park in the streets nearby. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets 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). Instagram @dblock55. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Really bites that we struggled through mud for miles and never found the trail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. Moanalua Middle Ridge (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Legal? Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. 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. 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. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. What can be earliest time to start this hike? I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. shoes meant for hiking. Puu Keahi a Kahoe is the end of this trail, but symbolically it serves as a beginningit marks the start of the ahupuaa(land division) of Kaneohe. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. 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. Here are my hiking essentials. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. . If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. Hold tight and watch your footing. Wonderful read! If people cared more about the "nature" that they so desperately enjoy in this valley, then I wouldn't even be on here. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. Ill keep this blog post updated. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. 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. The last crossing is allll the way at the end, and immediately after that last crossing, it's dense 12ft tall grass and the trail disappears. Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. 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. 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. it's not. Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? Please find another hike. 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. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. At another, I cut up my knuckles clawing for exposed roots to keep from tumbling down the rugged spine. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. It was intense & very rewarding. Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. More recently, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi has publicly stated he may be willing to consider new options to save the Haiku Stairs, and Hawaii Senator Schatz has pitched the idea of handing it over to the federal government to renovate and operate, with a different entrance so all parties are happy. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. I think its best to begin just after sunrise as it can be quite a hot, exposed trail if you leave it too late in the day for the ascent. no reports have been added for Moanalua Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. Anthony J. Polizzi. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. 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. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. Past Week. 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. 11 hikers stranded by rising rivers on Moanalua Valley trail safely 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. Definitely not a short one. Its absolutely gorgeous. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Make the risks known to people, but dont close all the hikes. 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. At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. 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. 29, 2020 while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Please explore other trails nearby. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. IG: @ lis.aloha. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. 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. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. -Good shoes. They have already put up high fences on access points reported online and we were only able to get in through one of the drainage ditches, and that was challenging. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". 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). Anthony J. Polizzi. Best time for Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs in Hawaii 2022 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 cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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. 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. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. There is no legal way to the stairs. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. Its towering heights along a steep ridge could cause a sudden slip to be fatal. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? Finiahed in 10 hours. Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. If you decide to bring Fido, keep him leashed. I explored the radio tower, Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven), and a set of abandoned, overgrown stairs. ! This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. (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.