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. Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Dinner and Show Tickets. Give me a break!, its a hike, and a damn good one at that! 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. 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? Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. Judd Trail Mountain View is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. ", "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. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. I hope to do it again someday. 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. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. All rights reserved. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. 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. 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. Don't. He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. (A proper trail runner or hiking shoe. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. This is the trailhead for the hike and you will follow this path until you reach the middle ridge. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. The hike is four miles each way . The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. 0 rides ; 6 Months. No experience and with a 8 year old. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=11354. Know your physical abilities and limitations; select trails that can be enjoyed safely. All Rights Reserved. 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. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the hike so youre not heading back in the dark. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. Been there. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail. no reports have been added for Moanalua Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. Not willing to change her identity to be part of the industry, Mahina Florence is at the height of her career because of her flawless Hawaiian complexion, strong athletic build, and friendly aloha spirit. Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. 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. Relax, its not as scary as it looks here. Plan accordingly. ", 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.". Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. This is the trail that leads you up the Moanalua Ridge, also known as the Moanalua Middle Ridge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Three units, staffed with nine personnel arrived on scene at 7:58 p.m. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. This is quite the work out and worth the view. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. 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. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. 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 Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. 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. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. Anthony J. Polizzi. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. 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. 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. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. 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). It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Wear spikes if you have them, makes most of the trail up the ridge line easier. 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. 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. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail. Also please pack out your trash! Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. 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. 12. Yes the steepest parts have metal railings to hold. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve (Moanalua section). Polizzi was on the hike with a group of friends. Its here, you should remind yourself, as you make your initial descent, not to rush. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 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 to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. 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. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. All rights reserved. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. Wonderful read! 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. Legal Statement. 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. Thats how it works everywhere else, and its why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the mainland United States after all these years. Get an early start, because parking fills up fast. Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. 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. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. 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. 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 are many more to check out! Mahalo! Many of the best hikes in Oahu have been closed preemptively to avoid more of these unjustified lawsuits. Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! It's not easy to find. Please tag along! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! 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? This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. Anthony J. Polizzi. -2L water MINIMUM. 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. There is no legal way to the stairs. Blah, blah, blah. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? Such an exhilarating trail that really puts your body and mind to the ultimate test. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. (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. To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. Mahalo! All rights reserved. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. We explored a few hundred meters down an abandoned set of stairs, quite sketchy and not recommended before turning back and returning towards the radio tower. The trail starts as a road barred by a green gate. We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. Go past it about 20 paces. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. Ill add a note about that in the article. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. 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.