MOANALUA VALLEY TRAIL - 493 Photos & 61 Reviews - Yelp The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Pass all the crossings and continue to follow the trail. Los Angeles Obituaries | Local Obits for Los Angeles, CA - Legacy.com Many residents of Oahu have fond memories of hiking up the Stairway to Heaven years ago (legally). He was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead, the Air Force said. 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. It may never be surpassed! Ethical? A Mariposa County sheriff's deputy walks in a remote area near where a family and their dog were found dead . 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. Do not leave trash at the summit or on the trail. 804. Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. 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. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Access to the public is restricted. A short walk . At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. Invalid password or account does not exist. The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees. This trail is a national and state treasure, with amazing scenery and a cool bit of history behind it. 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. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. 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. Let's stay updated! Please find another hike. 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. Moanalua Valley Trail - Moanalua Valley Trail - Tripadvisor The trail begins at the end of Moanalua Valley at Moanalua Valley Park. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike is epic, dangerous, and illegal. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. Cause of death for California family found during Sierra hike - Los There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. 0 rides ; 6 Months. 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. I hope this clears up YEARS of misconceptions about this trail. Thanks for looking! This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. There are many more to check out! Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. TEEN GIRL DIES IN FALL FROM CLIFF HIKE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK. Anthony J. Polizzi. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. shoes meant for hiking. (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. "It was an absolute honor when you asked me to commission you into the Air Force," wrote David Michael Rothzeid in a Facebook post. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. 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. 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. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Oh my! The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. Bummer, this trail is closed. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. 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. absolutely not! Moanalua Middle Ridge is a challenging, 11- to 12-mile, out-and-back hike in Central Oahu, a journey that, more or less, takes eight hours to complete. or redistributed. 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 Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. adventures and follow local regulations. You can read more here: https://www.haikustairs.org/. The Stairway to Heavenhike on Oahu, Hawaii, also known as the Haiku Stairs, is possibly the greatest attraction on the entire island. As we continue on for the next few hours theres something encouraging about being able to zero in on where we started at Moanalua Valley Park and the remote summit before us, to visually track our progress. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. 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. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. 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. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. Don't listen to the naysayers who hate tourists. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. ", Barney Griggs, a spokesperson for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, said anyone who wants to hike the Olomana Trail "should be an experienced hiker. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Daylenn "Moke" Pua, 17, vanished five days ago while heading to the Haiku Stairs. (iStock). I didnt end up using mine even with the amount of rain and mud present. Go past it about 20 paces. 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. Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. The steepest section of stairs is actually near the start of the hike, right before you reach the first platform. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. 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 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. Once you pass the sign and creek crossing go to the right, the trail behind the foliage, not the obvious one on the left. The terrain can be quite crumbly, with steep drop-offs so you do need to keep your focus throughout this hike. It definitely is not legal to set foot on the Haiku Stairs or the satellite area at the summit. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 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. a view? Kulana'ahane to H-3 Summit Saddle | Map, Guide - AllTrails Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. Many people come unprepared for hiking on Oahu and thats why there are so many rescues. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Basically, when you reach the top of the Moanalua Middle Ridge trail you will have great views and are within a stones throw of the satellite at the summit. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. The ground can get dangerously slippery and muddy. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). I hope it will be repaired and preserved for people to enjoy forever. I explored the radio tower, Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven), and a set of abandoned, overgrown stairs. 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. Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran. 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. The area escorts us into a network of trails here, where the middle ridge opens up upon crossing a streambed found just after the marker for the Kulanaahane Trail. The views are incredible and worth every minute and mile of this trail. I hope to do it again someday. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. 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. There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Make the risks known to people, but dont close all the hikes. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. Dont sue the state. -Food. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! a pic? All rights reserved. Significantly more roots are exposed as well. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. 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! Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the third peak of Mount Olomana's hiking trail, officials said. Not the one all the way to the left. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. Check out their website and consider donating if youre a fan. We make our initial ascent. from around the world. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. 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. All rights reserved. An off-duty firefighter died in 2014 and a social worker died in 2011, both from falling off the trail. So long as you make the right turn in The Valley you can easily find your way up, assuming youre up to the effort. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. age 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles, CA. Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. More recently, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi has publicly stated he may be willing to consider new options to save the Haiku Stairs, and Hawaii Senator Schatz has pitched the idea of handing it over to the federal government to renovate and operate, with a different entrance so all parties are happy. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. 14 guest maximum. 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). We put on our microspikes at the riverbed and they were handy all the way to the summit. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday,Dec. Good hike, perfectly legal way. Anthony Polizzi, Col. Dan Dobbels, commander of the 15th Wing, said in the statement. Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. The trail starts as a road barred by a green gate. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. 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. (Facebook). If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. Haiku Stairs Map How might someone prepare to hike Stairway to Heaven? Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Being inside the Forest Reserve is completely legal, as is being on Kamananui Trail. Loved every minute of it! Too many litterbugs on the island sadly. 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. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Werner Karl, you're right. Im chicken little when it comes to doing anything that is deemed illegal. We did this trail in about 6.5 hours (both of us experienced hikers) with stoping for many photos and breaks. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. Hawaii Camping Reservation - Reservations More advanced hike along the ridge line. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! Dinner and Show Tickets. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Instagram @dblock55. Not muddy today. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". Tripadvisor performs checks on . Firefighters had to comb through a wooded area and ask a hiker to shake a tree before they found the body just after noon, Fire Captain KevinMokulehua said. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. Make sure you have done your research (YouTube) and you should be ready to are some awesome views. I didnt need spikes but some good traction helps. For safety. 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. Its here, you should remind yourself, as you make your initial descent, not to rush. 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. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. It has about 3 times as much elevation gain and takes at least 3 times as long to climb. 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. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for the Stairway to Heaven Hawaii hike. 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. 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). Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. Polizzi graduated from Miami University, Ohio, from which he was commissioned through ROTC and entered the Air Force June 7, 2011. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. Polizzi collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley trail on Oahu. One of my favorite trails, with tons of side trails, pools, and ruins to explore. I feel surprisingly renewed by this and take a moment to find my center of gravity before retracing the long way back. 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. 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. 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. So windy with no microspikes, gloces. The trail is a legal hike and you should have no issues on the route towards the summit. (Damon was the son of Bernice Pauahi Bishops husbands business partner. listen to flash flood warnings. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. 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.