a view? Access to the public is restricted. Thousands of people hike this trail every year and no one has ever died by falling. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. Loved every minute of it! Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. The time should be posted on the gate. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. Such an exhilarating trail that really puts your body and mind to the ultimate test. A short walk . 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 the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. Mahalo! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. 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. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. Please explore responsibly! Too many litterbugs on the island sadly. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. 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. 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. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. The 2nd mile of this trail brings 1100 ft of elevation, is far more exposed and the trail teeters in the middle of sharp angled drop offs on either side. 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. Theres also a legal way to reach the top of the mountain by climbing it from the backside via Moanalua Valley trail, which Ill explain in more detail later in this guide. There is a security guard at the beginning. Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. 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. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. Test first before committing your weight on it. A coworker identified the victim as Nathan Stowell, 24. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. from. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. Let's stay updated! At another, I cut up my knuckles clawing for exposed roots to keep from tumbling down the rugged spine. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Despite the drop-offs, the trail is quite well protected and unless it is a very windy day you should be fine unless you have little experience on ridges or with heights. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. (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. 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. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. If people cared more about the "nature" that they so desperately enjoy in this valley, then I wouldn't even be on here. 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. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! Thanks for looking! (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail Hard 4.7 (4054) Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Photos (5,132) Directions Print/PDF map Length 9.2 miElevation gain 2,998 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy this 9.2-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. . Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you are confused follow the AllTrails map. You can read about it in this SFGate article. -2L water MINIMUM. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. 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 . 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". 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. 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. Generally considered a challenging route. 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. Blah, blah, blah. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. However, we wouldnt recommend running. These are extremely helpful and if the trail is the least bit muddy they are a full-fledged necessity. Heed no trespassing and other warning signs. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. 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. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. Although extremely tempting, the hike down the Haiku Stairs is highly illegal and subject to fine, etc. 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. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. There are shorter hikes on this island with better views and less risk. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. Moanalua Valley has a rich cultural history that is important to the people of Hawaii. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. -Headlamp. I was extremely surprised at the amount of people who I crossed when I hiked it. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. shoes meant for hiking. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. There is an entry along the fence that will go through. Thanks Billie! There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. 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. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. 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. Please explore other trails nearby. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. 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! If you have all trails just follow that! These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. Wear spikes if you have them, makes most of the trail up the ridge line easier. I'm providing information that is factual instead of perpetuating a myth. To remember: You came this far. 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. The path is quite wide and at many points there are forks in the road which come back to the same point after about 20 yards. 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. Legal Statement. 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. Know yourself and what you need, and bring more than that. ", Hikerstold KHONthe trail was muddy from rain this past weekend. The cause of the airmans death is under investigation. If you receive a citation you will be required to appear in court. 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. This Trail is ILLEGAL. Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. Editors Note: We love hiking! As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. Please find another hike. Wear proper foot ware, including hiking boots, spikes, and gloves. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. 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. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! THE WEEKLY #309: 6 YEARS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR: WHATS IN MY BACKPACK. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. 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? Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. Not muddy today. The Kullana'ahane is a better marker. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. The trail begins at the end of Moanalua Valley 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. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. 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. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. 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. 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! Firefighters hiked up the trail and made contact with the woman at 10:12 p.m., and determined both hikers were uninjured so, it was decided to escort the hikers on foot. I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. I'll save you some time and note that it goes nowhere :). Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. 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 Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". 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. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. 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My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. 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. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. People claim the stairs are dangerous but they are a lot safer than climbing the mountains without stairs which is what people are doing to avoid breaking the law (but then they get on the stairs at the top for photos). Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. This is quite the work out and worth the view. You have permission to edit this article. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. 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. 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. Wonderful read! Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. Anthony Polizzi, Col. Dan Dobbels, commander of the 15th Wing, said in the statement. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. It was intense & very rewarding. 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. 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. Ethical? Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! 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 sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. 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. 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.. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. No skate shoes.) I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. Preview trail So windy with no microspikes, gloces. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. Future Of The Haiku Stairs Open / Closed? Recommended. 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. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. 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. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. The Moanalua Valley Trail isnt as popular as the Haiku Stairs themselves but it is growing in popularity and the trail can get quite busy. (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.) Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. The hike is four miles each way . This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. Had to go the long way from Moanalua Valley (the legal way so not sure why this says its closed ~ unless its speaking of the actual stairs) I wanted to do this hike every since I moved here 17.5 years ago. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. 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. If you don't want to do the illegal way, this way is worth it. When she willed the entire ahupuaa of Moanalua to Damons father in 1884, the luxurious valley home was built.) If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. 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. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out.
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