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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Once finally at the peak youll see the Haiku Stairs Radio Tower comes into view. no reports have been added for Moanalua Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! All rights reserved. Keep in mind, to stay 100 percent legal on this hike you will have to go back the same way you came. Amazing! Werner Karl, you're right. All rights reserved. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. Be careful with the wind and rain on the ridge. If you are confused follow the AllTrails map. It may never be surpassed! Bring A LOT of water, snacks, sunscreen and gloves really help for the ropes. With alternate trails and surrounding hunting grounds, its easy for dogs to get lost. My husband and I are planning on doing this hike. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. 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. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. If you'd like to help even more, be sure to check out my Patreon as well. Start at the parking lot at the end of Moanalua Valley Road. Know your physical abilities and limitations; select trails that can be enjoyed safely. Choose wisely! Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! 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 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. 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. a view? DM me on IG: @OutFullSending. 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. Legal? This is incorrect. ; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. She was . Been there. A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. ", 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. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. Overnight parking is not allowed in Moanalua Valley Park - the gate is locked and the park is closed at a certain hour. Mahalo for reading this. If you are inside a Forest reserve outside of those times and without a camping permit, you are in violation of the HRS chapter 104 rules and can be cited. There is a security guard at the beginning. 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". If you think about it there is a large number of people on 24/7 neighborhood watch and some are very angry and extreme. 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. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. The trail starts as a road barred by a green gate. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. 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. Copyright Journey Era, 2022 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. The Haiku Stairs Hawaii hike is steep and strenuous, but the toughest part is the first 1/3rd of the stairway leading up to platform one. We made a false start up a precarious slope and had to go back down and restart closer to the stairs. When you make it to the sign saying Kulanaahane continue on for another few meters until you will find the pathway on your left, which leads you across the rocky riverbed. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. 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. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). The other specific laws that come into play here are located in HRS chapters 104 and 130, State Forestry and Na Ala Hele Access. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. These affiliates don't cost you anything extra and help me keep the site going. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Pack a long sleeve tee for the top (its chilly). I lived for a few years in Kaneohe (graduated James B Castle HS) some 50 years ago and NEVER knew about the Haiku stairway. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Instead, retrace the Moanalua Ridge route to get back to your original destination. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. 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. 0 rides ; 6 Months. 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. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. The trail will cross the stream 28 more times before the last 1/4 mile of trail. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. The view from the tower is the most spectacular although there will be lookouts before which are gorgeous as well. No skate shoes.) A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. However, if you cross over and set foot on the platform of the satellite or venture onto the stairs you are now in an illegal area. At a few points I need to brace myself against the bark of an ohia tree to keep from losing my balance. 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. One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts. It has been a long perpetuated myth that simply being on the stairs is what gets you fined. Not muddy today. Still interested? Youll encounter a couple more ropes (as you did during the Moanalua hike) which will be instrumental in getting down some of the slopes. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Went up the stairs last week with wife and baby. INDEFINITE CLOSURE: This trail is closed to the public and violators/trespassers are SUBJECT TO $1000 FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, BENCH WARRANTS, AND/OR ARREST. After graduating with a journalism degree, I set off to explore the world while creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches & adrenaline activities. Know yourself and what you need, and bring more than that. All Rights Reserved. My issue is with the degradation of the endangered Elepaio habitat that exists in that valley. (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.) Family of hikers found dead on remote Sierra trail likely killed by heat, dehydration. A day after announcing his death, officials identified him as New York native and U.S. Air Force Capt. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening. Continue on the main trail up and up and up. DIRECTIONS Traveling west on the H-1, take Exit 10 (Pearl city/Waimalu) onto Moanalua Road. Relish in the moment and enjoy the views. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. I appreciate the outpouring of support from our ohana.. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening By KITV4 Web Staff Mar 19, 2022 0 HONOLULU (KITV4) - Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. There are a few more rope sections and some very deep, muddy crevasses you will have to sneak through before you reach the top of this hike. This is my Journey Era. The trailhead begins at Moanalua Valley Park. 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. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. I would have liked to investigate an entry from the south if time permitted. Tripadvisor performs checks on . The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. On my hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail, I went halfway down the stairs and back up just to explore and then returned via the Moanalua Valley Trail although I met some people who were going to try and exit via the stairs. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! WHAT IS THE BEST CHEAP BACKPACKER TRAVEL INSURANCE? 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. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. 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. Fair enough. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. listen to flash flood warnings. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. 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. Anthony Polizzi, said Col. Dan Dobbels, 15th Wing commander. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ensure that your battery is full prior to your hike. He was previously stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. Polizzi graduated from Miami University, Ohio, from which he was commissioned through ROTC and entered the Air Force June 7, 2011. Parking: Park at the Moanalua Valley Park. Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? A guide to those volcanic terms: Pele's hair, caldera, volcanic ash -- learn what they mean, Suspect in deadly Kapiolani hit-and-run crash released from jail, Beware of counterfeit products this holiday shopping season, Homeland Security Investigations warns, Maui County residents asked to report property damage caused by massive weekend ocean swells, Thanksgiving travel should be less chaotic than summer, Sunday Morning Weather - Light Trade Winds Continue. It gave the mountains and everything a surreal touch that made us feel like we were walking up into the heavens. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. All water should be . ", "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. If its handled right, this solution could resolve many of the issues associated with the Stairway To Heaven. Ill keep this blog post updated. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. Friends also took to social media Thursday to share their memories of Polizzi. Finiahed in 10 hours. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. This hike was so challenging and worthwhile, probably one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. I noticed families on the trail, along with babies being carried by their parents. Moanalua Valley. This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. Copyright 2023 Journey Era | Mediavine Trellis Child - Journey Era on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. There are shorter hikes on this island with better views and less risk. 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. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". About 200 yards from the radio tower, the trail eases up and you begin to see the sweeping panoramic views over Honolulu and southern Oahu. The trail quietly opens up and were greeted with an elevated view of the valleys treetops sprawling out beneath us.