Thank you. Alone with some of the best views in the world. 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 watch your footing. Legal? 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. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. You definitely want good weather for this hike. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Fun hike. 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. 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. 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. Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! But is the solution to shut everything down? The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes The stairs are hiked by thousands of people every year, but the status of the trail is still in limbo because the state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and cant decide what to do with the stairs. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. Translation: Its going to be a long day. Go past it about 20 paces. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. 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. The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. Such an exhilarating trail that really puts your body and mind to the ultimate test. Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Don't listen to the naysayers who hate tourists. All rights reserved. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. Its been a wild ride. 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. Mahalo for reading this. The trail was washing away. 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. The Moanalua Valley Trail begins at the end of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. 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. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. Spikes and gloves definitely help but arent 100% necessary. Being inside the boundaries of the TMK parcel that the stairs is built on is a finable offense for having broken property and trespass laws. Bring water & food. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. This is my Journey Era. 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. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. 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. Good hike, perfectly legal way. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. Be prepared for lots of mud! Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. The hike is four miles each way . The victim plunged off Mount Olomana's third peak, near Kailua, around 10:50 a.m.,Hawaii News Now reported, citing the Honolulu Fire Department. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. The left goes to the valley. Its absolutely gorgeous. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. 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. ", "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. Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. The World Travel Guy 2023 Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Wear proper foot ware, including hiking boots, spikes, and gloves. Make the risks known to people, but dont close all the hikes. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. 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. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. 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. 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. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." 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. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. Hold tight and watch your footing. -Headlamp. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. 14 guest maximum. 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! Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. Definitely not a short one. 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. After Kahahana's death, a plot was laid to kill all the chiefs of Maui on the same . We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. 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. WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? Past Week. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. Moanalua Middle Ridge (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor listen to flash flood warnings. The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. Its Definitely challenging get rest water food. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. You can read about it in this SFGate article. 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. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. 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. 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. 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. Dont sue the state. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. It definitely is not legal to set foot on the Haiku Stairs or the satellite area at the summit. Best time for Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs in Hawaii 2022 Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Please be prepared! 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. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails 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. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. 11 hikers stranded by rising rivers on Moanalua Valley trail safely If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. Not the one all the way to the left. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. 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. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Criminal penalties and EMS fees are charged as well due to the illegal nature of the hike. Wear proper shoes and bring gloves!Quite muddy 2023 Stars and Stripes. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. Please explore other trails nearby. Our group did good timing but it was Still LONGGGG I believe I did it in 7 Hrs 45 mins (started about 5:30am - about 4 hrs or less to Get to top 9:15am, 30mins enjoying view / pics / eating 9:45am descend , arrived at my car by 1:20pm to get back took 3hr 35mins) I was beyond exhausted tho, my body was in survival mode at that point & just want to not be hiking anymore lol! Furthermore, Hawaii State Forest Reserves have other rules, such as what time they open and close, yes you read that correctly, Forest Reserves are only legal to hike in 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. However, if you cross over and set foot on the platform of the satellite or venture onto the stairs you are now in an illegal area. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. 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. Oh my! If you are confused follow the AllTrails map. He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . There is a security guard at the beginning. Definitely dont pay a guide for this hike like some people seem to. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. 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. Views are worth it. (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. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=11354. 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. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! Climbing Haiku Stairs on Oahu - realhawaii.co Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. 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.. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. 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. (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. Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. Los Angeles Obituaries | Local Obits for Los Angeles, CA - Legacy.com It was intense & very rewarding. Eventually you will crest on a peak with a sign pointing the way you've come, the first indication of the trails actual name of "Middle Ridge". 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. Be careful on your footing & hand placements not all branches are build to hold your weight. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. 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. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. The group is part of the 15th Wing. A grueling 3,922 stairs lead up the imposing mountain ridge, often at an almost vertical incline, with only a handrail to catch you from falling into the valley below. absolutely not! . (iStock). Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. 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. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. Can see the water on both sides of the islands the further up you hike. Once you are inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, you will find the trail at the back of the park. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. 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. 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 . 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. 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. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. No experience and with a 8 year old. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. She was . Kamananui Valley Road | Outdoor Project 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. That wouldnt be cheap. Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp IG: @ lis.aloha. Cause of death for California family found during Sierra hike - Los I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED Moanalua Valley Trail Hiking Trail - Pearl City, HI - Trailforks Ownership of the stairs was given to the city of Honolulu, and supposedly they were planning to turn the Haiku Stairs hike into a paid attraction. Its towering heights along a steep ridge could cause a sudden slip to be fatal. Oahu Hike of the Month: Moanalua Valley Trail Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. 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. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. 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? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Test first before committing your weight on it. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. However, we wouldnt recommend running. All Rights Reserved. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Do NOT take this route. Hiker, 24, plunges to his death from dangerous Hawaii trail Not runners, not tennis, etc. 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. To begin the Moanalua Valley Trail you will first need to drive to the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and park in the streets nearby. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. Access to the public is restricted. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Amazing! Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. We did not have spikes or gloves and it was 100% fine, but it would have been a help especially if there has been recent rain. 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? Overall, AMAZING trail with the BEST views of the island!!! ", 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.". Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. Let's stay updated! Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. a view? Please explore other trails nearby. There is danger involved with traversing a mountain's ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact that's slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. 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. There is danger involved with traversing a mountains ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact thats slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Give me a break!, its a hike, and a damn good one at that! At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. Anthony Polizzi, said Col. Dan Dobbels, 15th Wing commander. You can see everythingKaneohe, Kailua, Mokolii (akaChinamans Hat), Olomana and the H-3 snaking its way through it alland Im basking in the extraordinary sight of how miniature life looks from up above. Hawaii Camping Reservation - Reservations Instagram @dblock55. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. While the first peak is the "highest and offers the best views," it's the mountain's third peak where Stowell fell to his death that "offers the greatest climbing challenge. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head in my opinion, but Koko Head is still a great hike in its own way, and its completely legal, so its a good choice if you want another challenging hike with some fantastic island views. The time should be posted on the gate. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. HFD suspends search for missing hiker - Hawaii News Now Keep in mind, the adventurers MUST be respectful to neighbourhood residents living in this area. You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. -Good shoes. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. Youll encounter a couple more ropes (as you did during the Moanalua hike) which will be instrumental in getting down some of the slopes. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. A coworker identified the victim as Nathan Stowell, 24. All rights reserved. Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. 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). From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo.