The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. No skate shoes.) The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. HFD suspends search for missing hiker - Hawaii News Now 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. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - Oahu, Hawaii | AllTrails Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Stick to the main trailfollow a tributary path, and you may wind up in Waimano Valley. More advanced hike along the ridge line. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? Moanalua Valley Trail - Moanalua Valley Trail - Tripadvisor per adult. 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. 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! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. All rights reserved. It is for this reason that it is NOT recommended to hike this trail in heavy rains due to flash flooding. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. adventures and follow local regulations. 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 . In total the hike is 5.2 miles with 2585 ft in elevation gain (basically all of this is condensed into the final 2 miles). Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail - YouTube 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! If you fall at dusk you might very well spend the night in the jungle. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. The Kullana'ahane is a better marker. Do NOT take this route. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. 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. You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond awesome and unique. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Please explore other trails nearby. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Moanalua is still a pretty epic hike in its own right, and the views are amazing, so Id recommend doing it if you enjoy hard hikes! The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. 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. Oh my! Legal Statement. the city administration randomly reversed this decision, Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii - Fun, Couples, & Free, Best Hikes In Oahu Hawaii - Most Epic & Beautiful Hiking Trails, 16 Great Zion Hikes: Best Hikes In Zion National Park, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine, Breckenridge Troll Hike: Isak Heartstone Location & Directions, Acatenango Volcano Hike: Volcan De Fuego Guatemala, Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! 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. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. Nowadays, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply owns the Hawaii Haiku Stairs, and theyve repeatedly talked about the idea of tearing them down for political (liability) reasons. In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail. Moanalua Valley Trail (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! Know yourself and what you need, and bring more than that. Preview trail I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. Stairway To Heaven Hawaii Hike: Epic Haiku Stairs Oahu Trail 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. Wonderful read! 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. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. Kulana'ahane to H-3 Summit Saddle | Map, Guide - AllTrails 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. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. 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. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak ", Barney Griggs, a spokesperson for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, said anyone who wants to hike the Olomana Trail "should be an experienced hiker. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. 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. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. Its absolutely gorgeous. Be careful. Not the one all the way to the left. Drone shot of the mountain. 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. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. Pass the little sign and stream and itll be on your right. I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. it's not. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Loved every minute of it! These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning signs. 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. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. 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. You can read about it in this SFGate article. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Mahalo! The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. All rights reserved. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. Did this exact hike. Be prepared. The Olomana Trail is strenuous a 4.5-mile rocky path spread across three different mountainous peaks, according toSummitPost.org. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. As we continue on for the next few hours theres something encouraging about being able to zero in on where we started at Moanalua Valley Park and the remote summit before us, to visually track our progress. Date of experience: June 2019. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. 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. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Have some light. We put on our microspikes at the riverbed and they were handy all the way to the summit. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. 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. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. listen to flash flood warnings. Spikes and gloves definitely help but arent 100% necessary. There is a security guard at the beginning. Thank for your continued support. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. Please explore responsibly! 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. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. Legal? The Stairway to Heavenhike on Oahu, Hawaii, also known as the Haiku Stairs, is possibly the greatest attraction on the entire island. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening Tripadvisor performs checks on . Thanks for looking! Not muddy today. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. It may never be surpassed! With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. Amazing! If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. Test first before committing your weight on it. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. The trail was washing away. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. Once you are inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, you will find the trail at the back of the park. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. Translation: Its going to be a long day. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. 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. 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There was also a hiker named Daylenn Pua who disappeared on the Moanalua Valley trail (the backside route that intersects with the Stairway To Heaven) and was never seen again. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. Anthony J. Polizzi. While holding back any visions of being on the verge of setting foot on an old Dharma station (LOST fans, you'll understand once you're there), the 20-30 minute hike to the radio tower is full of its own challenges. Aloha! For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. 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). This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. ", "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. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. Hawaii Camping Reservation - Reservations Definitely not a short one. If its your first time on the trail and you lose sight of other hikers, take care to keep to the right once youre about two miles in, as heading left will take you to a different trail. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. Best time for Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs in Hawaii 2022 Heed no trespassing and other warning signs. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. This is classic government stupidity for you tax people to build them, tax more to fix them, then tax to take them out because they are dangerous when actually they are much safer than no stairs. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. 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 is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Be careful on your footing & hand placements not all branches are build to hold your weight. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. If you receive a citation you will be required to appear in court. It was beautiful! The sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. Moanalua Valley Trail To The Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. 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. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. 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. a view? A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. from around the world. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The road eventually turns to an unimproved road and later a narrow trail. 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. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. Once you pass the sign and creek crossing go to the right, the trail behind the foliage, not the obvious one on the left. 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. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. 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. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. 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) . Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. Not willing to change her identity to be part of the industry, Mahina Florence is at the height of her career because of her flawless Hawaiian complexion, strong athletic build, and friendly aloha spirit. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. Dinner and Show Tickets. The left goes to the valley. 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.. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. The weather today is just as my friend hoped for; hes been monitoring it daily since a week out to ensure the trail will be dry and moderately windless, opportune conditions for a hike that has us teetering across razor-thin sections with steep drops on either side. Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. Its possible to walk up without the rope but I suggest having some gloves as most people will be holding onto the rope the whole time. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. 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. (Phi Phi Leh), Santorini Greece Travel Guide: Things To Do In Santorini Island, Navagio Beach Greece: Shipwreck Bay In Zakynthos Island, Zakynthos Greece Travel Guide: How To Visit Zakynthos Island, Phi Phi Island Thailand Travel Guide (Koh Phi Phi Islands), Huayna Picchu Hike: The Machu Picchu Stairs Of Death, Utah Hiking Guide: 17 Best Utah Hikes & Trails, 35 Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii (Fun, Couples, Free), 25 Best Hikes In Indonesia: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Jungles, Koko Head Hike: Koko Crater Trail & Stairs In Oahu Hawaii, Angels Landing Hike: Epic Chain Trail In Zion National Park Utah, Komodo Island Indonesia: National Park & Dragon Tour. Family of hikers found dead on remote Sierra trail likely killed by heat, dehydration. The time should be posted on the gate. The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. The Stairway To Heaven hike is much longer, steeper, harder, and scarier than the Koko Stairs. MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. 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. This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. 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. 6 rides; 11 miles avg distance; All. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. Los Angeles Obituaries | Local Obits for Los Angeles, CA - Legacy.com I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. I'm providing information that is factual instead of perpetuating a myth. 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. Its been a wild ride.
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