This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. 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. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. No experience and with a 8 year old. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Past Week. Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. This hike sounds like something I would love to do. My issue is with the erosion scar that's been exacerbated ten-fold on the middle ridge allowing invasive species to spread further and further to the summit. This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. 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). My issue isn't with people hiking to the stairs, its with people using Moanalua to hike to the stairs and not caring about the impact they are leaving while doing so. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. 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? Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. 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". Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. Date of experience: June 2019. Oh my! Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. That means that if you purchase a product or service that I reccomend, I get a small cut of the sale. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail. Translation: Its going to be a long day. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. (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.) Wear proper foot ware, including hiking boots, spikes, and gloves. It definitely is not legal to set foot on the Haiku Stairs or the satellite area at the summit. Did this exact hike. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. Finiahed in 10 hours. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! Fair enough. 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. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. Be prepared. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. $125.33. 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. Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. It was beautiful! Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. (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. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. Aloha! Don't. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. Overnight parking is not allowed in Moanalua Valley Park - the gate is locked and the park is closed at a certain hour. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The Oahu Stairway To Heaven was built by the US Navy in 1942, along with a radio station and giant antenna at the top of the mountain that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific during World War II. ", 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.". (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. A short walk . He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. 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. . Don't listen to the naysayers who hate tourists. Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Generally considered a challenging route. There should be more information about this soon. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. 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. I hope to do it again someday. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Talk Kaimuk Has Coffee Drinks by Day, Cocktails at Night, Where to Find Mochi and Other Sweet Treats for Girls Day in Honolulu, The Bowl that Converted Me: Saimin at Janes Fountain, AYCE Nights: My Favorite All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot Spots in Honolulu, Photos: 2023 Best Dentists in Hawaii Reception, The Top 5 Whiskey Drinks to Order at ELEVEN, The HDS Tooth Fairy is Coming Back to Kakaako, A Locals Guide to an Oahu Road Trip: Wahiaw to Salt Lake, Spring Fashion Feature: Proud Hawaiian Model Mahina Florence Inspires Murals, 10 Local Ocean-Friendly Restaurants on Oahu to Try Now, February 2023: Our Top 3 Most-Viewed Posts About Oahus Food Scene, Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: March 28, 2023, 28 Irresistibly Cute Girls Day Gifts for Women and Keiki, Why We Eat Mochi and Display Dolls on Girls Day in Hawaii, My 12 Favorite Restaurants Off the Strip in Las Vegas. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. If someone is offering to take you on a hike for a fee, you should report them to the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement. 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. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. The Moanalua Valley Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs is a 10.7 mile (roundtrip) hike along varying terrains with several rope climb sections and very narrow ridge climbing. I think its best to begin just after sunrise as it can be quite a hot, exposed trail if you leave it too late in the day for the ascent. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Thousands of people hike this trail every year and no one has ever died by falling. 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. 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. Views are worth it. 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). 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. 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. or redistributed. These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Wonderful read! I explored the radio tower, Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven), and a set of abandoned, overgrown 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. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. 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 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. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve (Moanalua section). Significantly more roots are exposed as well. Bummer, this trail is closed. (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. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Moanalua Valley Trail (backway to Stairway to Heaven) and have good luck and good weather on your journey! The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees. The trail is a little over 9 miles roundtrip and took us about 7 hours (we hung out at the top for 30 minutes or so). Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. Microspikes are good to have to make it up/for traction. I wont share the location and exact directions to the stairway here publicly, but I understand there are at least three different main ways to reach the stairs from the neighborhood below, and Ive used two of them in the past. This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Blah, blah, blah. The World Travel Guy 2023 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. Highly recommend, it was one of the best hikes I have ever done. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. 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. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. Also, it's a ridge..which could mean wind. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. This Trail is ILLEGAL. In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about the Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs including distance, elevation, legalities, what to bring, and how to avoid trouble on this route. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. 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. The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. You can read about it in this SFGate article. Good hike, perfectly legal way. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. 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) . Lol ALOHAAAAA. The group is part of the 15th Wing. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. Moanalua Valley Trail the legal back way for the Stairway To Heaven. If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. 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. 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. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Please find another hike. Thanks Billie! I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. So long as you make the right turn in The Valley you can easily find your way up, assuming youre up to the effort. 804. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. 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. Bring ziplock bag to gather your trash respect the land & beauty of the island. 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 . I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. Werner Karl, you're right. -Food. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Let's stay updated! Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. 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). The Moanalua Valley Trail begins at the end of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. The trail was washing away. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. Please tag along! Loving all your content and guidance! Dont sue the state. 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. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. Choose wisely! 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. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. 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. Thank for your continued support. Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail, and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tripler Army Medical Center Tuesday. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. How To Get There: Stairway Entrance / Directions, Deaths On The Stairway To Heaven In Hawaii. Disappointed that I didnt have a chance to make that trek. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. Anthony J. Polizzi. 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!