This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. No more news yet. You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. Blah, blah, blah. Moanalua Valley. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. Please explore other trails nearby. Drone shot of the mountain. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. All anyone posts on here is about hiking the "legal" way, its not. This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. Past Week. 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. Legal Statement. It definitely is not legal to set foot on the Haiku Stairs or the satellite area at the summit. Though the trail is not particularly hilly, it is also not paved and there are muddy spots that should be approached with caution. Tripadvisor performs checks on . Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Invalid password or account does not exist. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. There are notable repeat offenders that continue to make 4 or 5-digit profits in a single week, none of which benefits the environment which they are degrading. Werner Karl, you're right. 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. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. (iStock). Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. Translation: Its going to be a long day. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). 12. It is for this reason that it is NOT recommended to hike this trail in heavy rains due to flash flooding. We won't share it with anyone else. Youll encounter a couple more ropes (as you did during the Moanalua hike) which will be instrumental in getting down some of the slopes. All Rights Reserved. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. That wouldnt be cheap. This blog post will explain some of the details and history of the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven hike, and then Ill discuss some of the politics behind the stairs and plans for their future. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. Im 100% in favor of keeping the stairway and letting hikers continue to hike it, but, David, you might want to add another item to bring with you on this hike a respectful & considerate disposition. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Let's stay updated! Native plants along the ridge and rare apapane (Hawaiian honeycreeper) sightings aside, the hike has grown in popularity over the years because of its whispered status as a legal access route, the back way, to the infamous HaikuStairs. 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. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Stick to the main trailfollow a tributary path, and you may wind up in Waimano Valley. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. 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. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. Overall, AMAZING trail with the BEST views of the island!!! 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. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics. Be prepared. Plan accordingly. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. Puu Keahi a Kahoe is the end of this trail, but symbolically it serves as a beginningit marks the start of the ahupuaa(land division) of Kaneohe. Ill also share my full experience and all of my photos including some epic shots from the summit so you can get an idea of why this was one of my favorite hikes on Oahu, Hawaii. The group is part of the 15th Wing. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. This is the trail that leads you up the Moanalua Ridge, also known as the Moanalua Middle Ridge. Go past it about 20 paces. Ethical? Part of being outside and in nature is the lack of rules and the BS! Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. Follow a small path in the grass, or walk to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. Do not attempt this hike. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. 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. There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. 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. -Headlamp. 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. All rights reserved. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. The views are incredible and worth every minute and mile of this trail. a view? What can be earliest time to start this hike? You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. This is my Journey Era. 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. a pic? The Kulana'ahane Trail offers unparalleled hiking through native Hawaiian forest to a scenic overlook. Ill keep this blog post updated. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. 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. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. The trail to the top of the Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) is prohibited. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. 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. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. 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. Lol ALOHAAAAA. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. 0 rides ; 6 Months. Ive done the Hawaii Haiku Stairs hike several times now, and even after traveling in many countries, its still probably my favorite trek in the world. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Mahalo for reading this. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. 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. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. Thanks for your support. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. Please explore other trails nearby. 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. Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal backway to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. 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. The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The World Travel Guy 2023 Editors Note: We love hiking! Alone with some of the best views in the world. Im Jackson, an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now. 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". Don't listen to the naysayers who hate tourists. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. Usually trail run in the valley or hike up the ridge a couple times a week. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. 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. I'd recommend doing this hike early as possible to avoid the potential crowds. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This Trail is ILLEGAL. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. 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. If you have all trails just follow that! 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. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. 14 guest maximum. 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. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . Begin walking the trail and after about 2.5 miles you'll see the sign on the left for "Kulana'ahane Trail". When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. There are many more to check out! 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.