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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. 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. 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 Overnight parking is not allowed in Moanalua Valley Park - the gate is locked and the park is closed at a certain hour. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. No experience and with a 8 year old. Though theres no ocean view at the end,this trail is a journey through a bunch of natural beauty and history. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. Thank for your continued support. Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Legal Statement. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. absolutely not! Although small and unmarked its an obvious trail. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. 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. 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. Thanks Billie! The view is wonderful worth the hike. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. JT, do think anyone cares about the rules and laws you cite? All rights reserved. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! 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. One way to reach the off-limits Stairway to Heaven is to start on a different trail from Moanalua Valley. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. The road eventually turns to an unimproved road and later a narrow trail. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! 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. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. 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. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). 2 Thank bognarofsydney . This is classic government stupidity for you tax people to build them, tax more to fix them, then tax to take them out because they are dangerous when actually they are much safer than no stairs. Did this exact hike. 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. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. Fun hike. The Moanalua Valley Trail begins at the end of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. Its been a wild ride. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. 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. Theres a nature trail by the Botanic Library that takes you to a lake. Alone with some of the best views in the world. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. 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. 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). Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Loving all your content and guidance! 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. it's not. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! There's also a ton of street parking near by in the neighborhood. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. 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. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Here are my hiking essentials. 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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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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? After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. 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. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. 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. Not muddy today. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). Legal? It may never be surpassed! olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @mike.karas or email me at mikekarasphotography@gmail.com if youd like to join or like gear for the hike I have plenty of microspikes and gloves. Ill add a note about that in the article. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. I did this hike solo about a month ago. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. Mahalo! If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." Past Week. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. 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 trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. Thank you. Its 328 steps to a raging waterfall. 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. It has some sections of nearly vertical, rope and muddy sections. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. The Olomana Trail is strenuous a 4.5-mile rocky path spread across three different mountainous peaks, according toSummitPost.org. IG: @ lis.aloha. Invalid password or account does not exist. Loved every minute of it! This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. You can see everythingKaneohe, Kailua, Mokolii (akaChinamans Hat), Olomana and the H-3 snaking its way through it alland Im basking in the extraordinary sight of how miniature life looks from up above. Generally considered a challenging route. You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The government in Oahu has a habit of closing any hike they consider slightly risky, because it might attract lawsuits. 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. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. 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 dangerous trail since 2011. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. Blah, blah, blah. 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. Please be prepared! Also please pack out your trash! However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. After all, well be inching closer to the sun at an elevation gain of about 2,585 feet from where were currently standing. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us. A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail. 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. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. 12. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Try hike the Lanikai pill box brah. Ive lived here for 33 years and yes its fricken ridiculous WHEREVER YOU GO. 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. -Dogs and babies not advisable on this trail. Been there. 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. These are extremely helpful and if the trail is the least bit muddy they are a full-fledged necessity. 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. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. 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. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. This is quite the work out and worth the view. 0 rides ; 6 Months. The last crossing is allll the way at the end, and immediately after that last crossing, it's dense 12ft tall grass and the trail disappears. Moanalua Valley Trail the legal back way for the Stairway To Heaven. 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. 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 sounds of the cars on the H3 highway below you gradually disappear, and everything starts to get quiet. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. ", "You need to have a certain amount of physical conditioning, because you are climbing almost the entire time," Griggs told Hawaii News Now. 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. So windy with no microspikes, gloces. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. Please be respectful to the place we call home and follow the rules. (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. However, we wouldnt recommend running. Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. 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. Furthermore, Hawaii State Forest Reserves have other rules, such as what time they open and close, yes you read that correctly, Forest Reserves are only legal to hike in 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. . Love this hike! 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. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. Easy hike through the lush forest of Kamananui Valley.