I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Hiking Moanalua Middle Ridge on Oahu, an All-Day, Experts-Only However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. Create a password that only you will remember. There is one short section of stairs that was mangled in a storm, but the damage is pretty minimal and you can pass that part without any trouble. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Anthony J. Polizzi. It may never be surpassed! The view is wonderful worth the hike. The Olomana Trail is strenuous a 4.5-mile rocky path spread across three different mountainous peaks, according toSummitPost.org. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs (Legal 'Backway' to Stairway to We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. 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. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. 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. You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. absolutely not! Recommended. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. 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. Overall, AMAZING trail with the BEST views of the island!!! Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. ", "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. But is the solution to shut everything down? Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. 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. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How (And Where) To Watch the Massive Waves on Oahu's North Shore. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. A guide to those volcanic terms: Pele's hair, caldera, volcanic ash -- learn what they mean, Suspect in deadly Kapiolani hit-and-run crash released from jail, Beware of counterfeit products this holiday shopping season, Homeland Security Investigations warns, Maui County residents asked to report property damage caused by massive weekend ocean swells, Thanksgiving travel should be less chaotic than summer, Sunday Morning Weather - Light Trade Winds Continue. Good luck and enjoy! (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. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. (That said, while you may take in the jaw-dropping views it showcases of Oahu at the hikes summit, the stairs themselves are still illegal to go down and trespass on, regardless of how youve reached them.) 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. Amazing! It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. It is only accessible by hiking approximately 2.5 miles up the Kamananui Valley Road Trail, where a marked sign on the left designates the trailhead. 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). My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. 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. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. 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. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. Dont sue the state. Unfortunately, in September 2021, the city administration randomly reversed this decision and decided they would rather spend $1.3 million to remove the stairs, which could happen as soon as 2023. MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. Bring A LOT of water, snacks, sunscreen and gloves really help for the ropes. 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. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. 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. Be careful. It's not easy to find. -Headlamp. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. Invalid password or account does not exist. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED I hope to do it again someday. All rights reserved. Originally the stairs were built in 1942 by the U.S. Navy as a top-secret facility for transmitting radio signals to ships that were sailing in the Pacific Ocean. 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. Stairway To Heaven Hawaii Hike: Epic Haiku Stairs Oahu Trail I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! No skate shoes.) After all, well be inching closer to the sun at an elevation gain of about 2,585 feet from where were currently standing. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. (Facebook). 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. Its been a wild ride. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Give me a break!, its a hike, and a damn good one at that! The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. Date of experience: June 2019. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. No more news yet. This Trail is ILLEGAL. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. ", 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. An absolutely amazing experience. Market data provided by Factset. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. Editors Note: We love hiking! I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. Legal? 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. We were SO excited to find a legal way to hike the Haiku Stairs. 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. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. What can be earliest time to start this hike? 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. The time should be posted on the gate. Do NOT take this route. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. Liability is the main reason theyre closed. 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. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. Not muddy today. Ghosts and Night Marchers in Moanalua Mysteries of Hawai'i The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. 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. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. I did this hike solo about a month ago. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Past Week. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. 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. Kulana'ahane to H-3 Summit Saddle | Map, Guide - AllTrails Mahalo! The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. 12. Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 804. The left goes to the valley. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. Know your physical abilities and limitations; select trails that can be enjoyed safely. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. Hold tight and watch your footing. More advanced hike along the ridge line. If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. per adult. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. Thanks for looking! The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes 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. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. For a complete list of LEGAL State Trails, please visit hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails Lastly, guided hikes and other commercial activity being conducted inside Moanalua valley are illegal. 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. a view? To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. Been there. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. 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? Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. Dinner and Show Tickets. 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. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. One of my favorite trails, with tons of side trails, pools, and ruins to explore. Air Force captain who died during Hawaii hike remembered as 'leader 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! The trail is quite easy to follow for the first few miles with a wide path, winding you through lush forest and warming up your legs. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. If you are inside a Forest reserve outside of those times and without a camping permit, you are in violation of the HRS chapter 104 rules and can be cited. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. 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. 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 Blah, blah, blah. 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. If you fall at dusk you might very well spend the night in the jungle. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Continue on the main trail up and up and up. 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. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. 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. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 17, vanished five days ago while heading to the Haiku Stairs. 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! Legal Statement. 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. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. 14 guest maximum. The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. 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. Army: Airman assigned to 15th wing died after collapsing while hiking Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". 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. 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. 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. BLOG POST: If you are interested in my experience (many years ago) hiking the Stairway to Heaven the regular way you can check out my blog post here: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN HIKE ON OAHU, HAWAII: UPDATED 2021, OAHU HIKING GUIDE: Ive written a guide for the top hikes on Oahu that I am sure you will find useful: TOP 10 HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. Finiahed in 10 hours. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. It was intense & very rewarding. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! Disappointed that I didnt have a chance to make that trek. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Spikes and gloves definitely help but arent 100% necessary. 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). If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! 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It may sound dramatic but at times that is the situation. 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). . Cause of death for California family found during Sierra hike - Los Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. No experience and with a 8 year old. Please tag along! Even the Kalalau Trail is open in Kauai despite being much more risky than the Stairway To Heaven. IG: @ lis.aloha. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. I hope this clears up YEARS of misconceptions about this trail. 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. Alone with some of the best views in the world. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. If you do choose to continue on past the legal boundary and to the illegal area of the radio tower and reach the Haiku Stairs, this is what you can expect. 30 BEST HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII - Journey Era All water should be . Drone shot of the mountain. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. 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. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Stay hydrated and prepare for the unexpected. Do not attempt this hike. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. 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. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. There is parking in the park parking lot, but it's only open from 7 am to 7 pm. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve (Moanalua section). The trail was washing away. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. 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. Loved every minute of it! At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. 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