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The Stairway to Heaven
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Page Contents:
• Most Recent Update: 7/19/02 • What is the Stairway to Heaven? |
Most Recent Update: July 19, 2002
The Stairway to Heaven page of Around Oahu has been completely renovated to better suit the growing number of Stairway enthusiasts. Enjoy, and please come back soon.
7/19/02 - Stairs to REOPEN in August! See article here.
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Disclaimer
Bottom line, as this text's writing, the Stairway is CLOSED. It is ILLEGAL (as it has been for some time) to hike the stairs. The way in which any information received from this site is used is UP TO THE PERSON or persons that views the site. If you plan on hiking the stairs, you do so at some risk to yourself and others you may be hiking with, and possibly to the risk of those currently working to repair the stairs. Bottom line, in whatever you do, be careful, and take the necessary precautions, or don't go at all.
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Stairway News
Recent articles/news items pertaining to the Haiku Stairs
7/19/02 - SB - Stairs to Reopen in August
7/18/02 - HA - Get Ready to Climb the Stairs
7/08/02 - Star Bulletin - Sneaking up the Stairs
1/20/02 - SB - Stairs to Re-open
7/27/01 - SB - Fixing the Stairs
7/05/01 - Hon. Advertiser - Hikers Ignore Warnings on Stairs
7/21/00 - SB - Volunteers Help Stairs
6/23/00 - SB - Funding Set Aside
6/25/98 - SB - Council Ok's Stairs as Park
5/29/98 - SB - Stairs Neglected
5/15/97 - SB - Stairway to Heaven
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Pictures
Below are some pictures of the hike up the Stairs. Want more? There are tons here that I took during my most recent hike, and many more in the resources section below.
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User Stories & Experiences
All Information below was submitted to Around Oahu by those who have hiked the Haiku Stairs. Read with caution, many may be outdated accounts, and I am only able to verify what I wrote myself. Good luck, and happy reading. Submissions are always welcome.
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Most Recent -> Oldest
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Update - 7/13/02
I recently visited Hawaii and couldn't miss the opportunity to climb the stairs. After first hearing about it from your website I knew it was something I had to do. When we first approached the gate we weren't sure if we were at the right place, but we decided to go over it and see. We then encountered one other gate and then a very tall fence which had barb wiring. We were very careful and made it over safely. We were lucky that we found the entrance our first time because there are so many different ways you can go before actually finding the entrance to the stairs. When we started to climb the stairs we thought it wasn't so bad. But after a while we were so tired we stopped many times to rest considering none of us were in good shape. So many views were breathtaking. I couldn't believe how high you get. One thing I wasn't prepared for were those ledges where your not climbing stairs it's more like a ladder your climbing. You look dow! n and your so high up and nothing below you. It was really scary. You have to really trust the stairs that they're staying on that mountain and not going any where. But overall it was great a lifetime experience I will never forget. Not sure if I would do it next year I go to hawaii, but probably sometime in the future I would like to do it again.
Update - 6/05/02
I was again able to hike the stairs, and took a bunch of pictures (view here). The repair work on the stairs has gone extremely well from 3 years ago when I last visited. Security was non-existent, but we went on an off peak day. Sections are still sketchy, but it is much, much safer than it was in '98 and '99. I suspect not much more is needed before the Stairs are finally re-opened to the public. Again, as always, be careful, and heed the security guard if he's there... it's for good reason and the Stairs legally are STILL CLOSED. But, if you have the chance to hike it, do it, it's just as awesome as ever.
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Update - 1/6/01
On Jan 1 2001 a friend and myself hiked the stairs. we ascended at about 1000 am. When we reached the first platform I started looking through the logbook. The first time I hiked the stairs I didn't look at the logbook. There was an entry for 630 in the morning proclaiming they were the first to climb the stairs and to see the first sunrise of the new millenium, (great idea.) when we reached the top we looked out towards the leeward side. We noticed that set of stairs going down the backside of the mountain. We decided to climb down and made a pact that if one or the other said it was to treacherous, we would go back up to the omega transmiter. the climb down was treacherous, but not impassable. the stairs actually do not start for about 500 to 750 feet down the backside. to compensate for this, there was a thick wire rope attached to stakes in the ground. The path was about 3 feet wide. The wire rope actually follows along a ridge. When we finally reached the stairs, we noticed that they only led down to three more platforms. I think these were the remaining transmitters. We then proceeded to climb back up to the omega transmitter. When we reached the top again, we decided to go offroad and climb to the next highest peak behind the transmitter level. We figured that it would take about ten minutes because the vegetation appeared to be just like grass. Boy were we mistaken the dense undergrowth was almost impassible, and at a few points I fell down a ridge. The only thing that saved me from realy dropping was the really strong groung palms that grow all over the ridge. After about 2.5 hours we finally made it to the peak, and the view of aiea and the Halawa valley was fantastic. Next time i will bring a machete. If this is something you want to pursue like us, bring a couple of items. machetes, gloves, nature bars, and plenty of water. The trip took an all told time of 5.5 hours.
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Update - 9/2/00
I ascended the "Stairway to Heaven" and it was absolutely incredible!! I and a freind came over the fence by the concrete water channel in the Haiku neighborhood. We continued up the channel and through the lush woods to the "hole in the fence", onto the road, took a right and walked about a 1/4 mile to the bottom of the staircase. We were just a part of the adventure with at least 15 people we met on the way up and down. The condition of the actual staircase is solidly constructed even though it may veer to an angle here and there and is extremely steep in places. I felt completely safe while on the stairs. For the two spots where the stairs are gone, hmmmmmm......a little sketchy, but easily enough passable. The ropes on the first section are a little thin and showing wear, but are still strong, especially if you grab more than one. The second section's ropes, no problem: strong, sturdy, knotted in the right places for gripping, and the wall there has foot-holes chipped in the right areas. Most people don't have to rely on the ropes entirely, just to get up to a standing position on the top of the lower stair-case, from there the bars of the upper staircase are reachable. The shady part starts when the stairs change to a cheaper model. Near the top, from about the first building on, the railings are rusted out places or gone, but only on one side, so no reason to freak out! But from this point you are close to the top and the hiking is MUCH easier than the first section, even flat panel bridge sections. The day I went the clouds at the very top completely blocked the views form every direction and high winds swirled in the 55 degree air, but the views on the way up...breathtakingly magnificant!! I even climbed up to top of the sattelite dishes through the scalfolding (not recommended). All in all, I found the hardest thing was simply the hike, very strenuous at times, but well worth it.
My tips to you, if you plan to ascend:
1.Be consciously careful in your movements, take nothing for granted.
2.Vary your steps, don't one-foot over the other all the way up, take two or even three at a time to use different parts of your muscles and make the hike more enjoyable.
3. Stop a lot to rest and take in the view, the ocean, mountains and your incredible position on the side of a mountain.
Amazing accomplishment for a little above average athletic person. To sum it up in one word.....gratifying.
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Update - 2/14/00
I recently tried an ascension
to the top of the stairway. First of all we (two of my friends and me),
did have a little run in with the Wackenhut security guard, but he was
actually friendly when we approached him and actually gave us directions
to the other entrance through another sub-division, very helpful.
Once we made it to the back road, after we slid through an opening in
the fence all we had to do was look for the beginning of the trail.
First we went up the wrong trail (marked with a lot of dirt bike/motocross tires). Once we realized we were on the wrong trail we just looked for the next one up and started on our way. We came to a resting point just prior to the ladder section (three other
people had just gone before us) and decided that it was too
dangerous to pass (maybe I'm just chicken), however I have a wife and
two kids and just
didn't feel it was worth the risk. Once we took our pictures we came
back down and headed home. This all took place on the 10th of February
so very recent update for you.
I'm sure the other hikers all made it back safely and I really have a
feeling of regret for not
making it to the top, but I think I made the right decision for myself
that day. Anyway thanks for putting up a great web site (found it by
using "google search engine"). Keep up the good work.
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Update - 7/3/99 - Around Oahu Manager Hikes Stairs
Well, finally I was able to hike the Stairway to Heaven myself, and I will never forget the experience.
More updates in the future, for specific info regarding the stairs (route, condition, etc...) mail me.
First, is it hikeable? Yes, most definately. Like the updates say, two sections of stairway have been removed, and it is kind of difficult to ascend, but still very much possible. Also, at both sections there is rope in place and, although old, it is still pretty sturdy and able to hold a person's weight...but BE CAREFUL. The security guard was parked at the base of the stairs when we arrived, and had his own car, but, for some reason, he was not there when we came, so we just walked on by. If he is, good luck, they really don't like people on these stairs, and the other methods of reaching them are increasingly difficult (I'm looking for more info on the trail from the leeward side over the top of the mountains). Near the top (past the first run-down building) the railings are basically gone, and you have to take your time getting to the radar dish at the peak, but it's still possible. Some steps along the way are loose as well, so check your footing. Suggestions are that you bring some rope, at least for the two mission sections, and BE CAREFUL.
All in all, with the hazards and everything, the hike was still awesome, and well worth the effort taken to reach the top. I know I'll be back soon...
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Update - 6/1/99
The two missing sections are indeed passable but the ropes are beginning to show their age and may not want to be trusted with all your body weight. We actually brought along a length of rope and belayed each other up thru the first section. The second section by the tree is not as steep and there appears to be some additional hand holds chipped into the rock face.
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Update - 5/28/99
4 of us took the hike on Sunday 5/30. There was a security guard at the foot of the entance to the stairs parked in his personal owned vehicle. I asked his hours & purpose there...his hours are 6a-6p & said was hired by the Coast Guard to prevent hikers from climbing. We turned around & came back around the inside of the area & sneaked by to the stairs outside of his view. On the way back down, we check to see if there were any other authorities & he was still parked alone, so we walked by him...we'd figured at this point what could he do? I saw 10 people from 9a - 2p.
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Update -
Well, the stairway is more inacessible now than before. There are now "No Trespassing" signs in at least 3 places, which mention criminal prosecution for trespassing on coast guard property, the 2 ladder sections have been removed, leaving ropes and a steep rock face, and there are metal brackets across the stairs at each of the rest stops. Kinda a bummer, but I suppose they're protecting their intrests. But people still are making the ascent every weekend, and it is possible to get to the top for a great view of the island.
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Update -
It is my understanding that technically the stairs are closed to the public...BUT, we see dozens of hikers making the ascent each weekend. The Coast Guard posts a security crew at the entrance of the Omega Station at the end of Haiku Road, but hikers bypass that to get to the stairs. There is nothing and no one to stop hikers from making the climb once they arrive at the base of the stairs.
The condition of the stairs is remarkably good from the bottom to nearly the top. Much corrosion has taking its toll on the upper fourth of the stairs, but they are passable as climbers seem to be doing minor repair on loose steps.
The two sections that are missing have been wonderfully repaired by rope/aluminum/PVC ladders that are VERY safe and usable.
It looks to me that NO TRESPASSING signs are posted, but do not seemed to be enforced. (Possibly to eleviate any potential liability issues.) This is one of the most beautiful climbing experiences anyone could enjoy. I hope Councilman Steve Holmes is successful in allowing the C&C to make a park of the area so that this "treasure" is not lost.
I was up to the top twice. Each day there were about other 12-15 hikers. What is so amazing is the fact that each and every hiker I have met on that trail seems to treat it with respect; respect for the environment, respect for the beauty, respect for the Hawaiiana, and respect for the dangers of the ascent. No one was littering the trail, or vandalizing the stairs or buildings. In fact, it is obvious that some hikers are even trying their best to repair portions of the stairs. Respect and reverence seem to be the words for attitudes of the hikers I met. I hope the C&C can take over this land and trail and allow more people to experience the beauty and majesty of Haiku Valley.
Ever since I moved here three years ago, the Koolaus have captured my heart. I have wanted to ascend the stairs since I first saw them. I wish I knew who I could write to, and what I can do to "Save the Stairs". I grew up in Colorado and have been a hiker/climber most of my life. The stairs are magical!! Unbelievable!! It would be terrible if they become a thing of the past!
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Stairway Resources
Websites
• Friends of the Haiku Stairs
This is an exceptional site with much Stairway info.
• Haiku Stairs Multimedia Presentation
• Coast Guard Article - Basics about the Stairway to Heaven
Newspapers
• Honolulu Star Bulletin
• Honolulu Advertiser