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. Park in the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park parking lot at 1857 Ala Aolani St. As you walk up the dirt road, you will reach a chain link gate leading to the dirt road. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. 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. Please tag along! I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. It may never be surpassed! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. We were SO excited to find a legal way to hike the Haiku Stairs. This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Oh my! Thank you. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. 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. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. Drone shot of the mountain. 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. 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. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) The World Travel Guy 2023 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. 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. Do not attempt this hike. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. When I did the Haiku Stairs Oahu trek for the first time on my birthday in 2016, the weather started out clear but then some clouds came in. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. Continue on the main trail up and up and up. 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). -Food. 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. Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. You have permission to edit this article. 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. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. I also didnt get enough sleep dont be like me. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. Access to the public is restricted. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. ", 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.". Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. 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. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All water should be . I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Mahalo! We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. 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. 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. The police sometimes send an officer to hike up to the summit to give out fines and one time a police helicopter even landed up there. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. Both times I did the hike, the security guard yelled at us from a distance but didnt seem to chase after us or call the police. Amazing! When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Anthony J. Polizzi. The left goes to the valley. Legal Statement. Army: Airman assigned to 15th wing died after collapsing while hiking, Furnishings, appliances from Shirokiya Japan Village Walk up for auction, Former Mililani High athletic director indicted, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. 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. 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. 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 trail was washing away. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Thats how it works everywhere else, and its why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the mainland United States after all these years. 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. 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. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. 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 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. This is the trail that leads you up the Moanalua Ridge, also known as the Moanalua Middle Ridge. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. Looking to hike this any day in next week .if anybody's down, msg me in insta @allispichkooo:), Anyone want to do this on 11/24 or 11/25? adventures and follow local regulations. This is a review for hiking the Moanalua Valley to Middle Ridge to Tripler Ridge (AKA the legal back way to the Stairway to Heaven) and then down the stairs. 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 . 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. I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. This Trail is ILLEGAL. 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. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? Dont sue the state. Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. no reports have been added for Moanalua Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. Polizzi was on the hike with a group of friends. This is incorrect. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. Thanks for looking! You definitely want good weather for this hike. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. 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. Ill add a note about that in the article. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). The back way to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. Wear spikes if you have them, makes most of the trail up the ridge line easier. Be prepared. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. 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. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. 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. For safety. Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. 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. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. You need to take the MIDDLE option. Alone with some of the best views in the world. 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). 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. The Haiku Stairs Hawaii trail was officially closed in the 1980s, and its been damaged a little (and repaired) on and off in the years since then. Please explore other trails nearby. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. Bring a cell phone, which can be a lifesaver during an emergency. 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. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. Did this exact hike. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Also please pack out your trash! A short walk . I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=11354. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning signs. Please find another hike. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. Its towering heights along a steep ridge could cause a sudden slip to be fatal. 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. Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. or redistributed. 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. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. Wonderful read! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. 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. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. More advanced hike along the ridge line. -Good shoes. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. If you want to do a guided hike anywhere on State Lands, please ask the guide to see a copy of their commercial use permit, issued by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. What can be earliest time to start this hike? Fun hike. The time should be posted on the gate. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. Be careful on your footing & hand placements not all branches are build to hold your weight. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. To begin the Moanalua Valley Trail you will first need to drive to the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and park in the streets nearby. Anthony J. Polizzi. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. Anthony Polizzi, Col. Dan Dobbels, commander of the 15th Wing, said in the statement. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Ethical? 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. Maybe we miscounted the 4 wheel drive crossings because we were at 15 or 16 when we hit the Kulana'ahane trailhead (on the left). A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. Instagram @dblock55. You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. 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. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. Good luck and enjoy! All Rights Reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 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. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. listen to flash flood warnings. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. The group is part of the 15th Wing. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. absolutely not! We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! Test first before committing your weight on it. 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. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. 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 For me personally, it was well worth any of the risks involved! Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. (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. 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. This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. The hike is four miles each way . This is quite the work out and worth the view. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. The view is wonderful worth the hike. 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. Heed no trespassing and other warning signs. Also, it's a ridge..which could mean wind. $125.33. A non-profit group called Friends of Haiku Stairs has drawn up some good plans for keeping the staircase and re-opening it with managed access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and minimal disturbance to the local neighborhood.
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moanalua valley trail deaths