We went in search of a tunnel but found something close to it, but no cigar.

Windward

Met up with Art, Chris, Edgar, Jen, Lilyn, Marilyn, Mateo, Quan, Scott, and Tessa to take a morning stroll in the neighborhood.

Windward

Three distant cousins in the picture.

Windward

What time does the gate open?

Windward

Art climbing the stairway to nowhere.

Windward

I’m sorry, this outhouse is occupied. You can use the bush over there.

Omega Station

Approaching the Naval Radio Station that was built back in 1942 and closed in 1958. The thick concrete walls and ceilings were meant to withstand a 200 pound bomb blast. The Navy then transferred the property to the US Coast Guard, who operated it as the Omega Station from 1975 to 1997.

Omega Station

Scott just hanging around.

Omega Station

Exploring the lower level. Everything of value has long been stripped, burnt, trashed and vandalized.

Omega Station

Leaving the machinery and strewn debris behind us.

Omega Station

Chip off the old block.

Omega Station

Tessa making her way up the stairs.

Omega Station

Checking out the upper floors or whats left of it.

Omega Station

In the old days, fans had to be manually turned to provide air circulation. They also walked barefoot to school on a’a lava as well.

Omega Station

Climbing up the rooftop.

Omega Station

Edgar sitting on the roof with the sharply notched and angled ridge in the background that illustrates why Stairway to Hell was never completed.

Omega Station

Chris at the top, looking down.

Omega Station

Taking a panoramic picture is harder than it looks.

Omega Station

Outside looking in.

Omega Station

Shock the monkey. Who turned the power back on?

Omega Station

Chris using the ten ton crane for pullups.

Omega Station

Watching an artist at work.

Omega Station

How many hikers can cram into the hole? Apparently nine. Sorry Art.

Omega Station

Hole to hole view.

Omega Station

Looking up at one of two openings where the antennas that were hung across Haiku Valley were housed.

Windward

No trail here. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Windward

Approaching the most expensive public works project in Hawaii, that is until the rail came along.

Windward

Jen leaving the road for the well-trodden trail.

Windward

Chris has a knack for finding stuff in the woods.

Windward

We met up with Allison and Laredo who were going to guide us to Scott’s next wet dream, well moist dream.

H3

Tight fit. Lucky I’m on a diet.

H3

Laredo sliding his way through the crack.

H3

Art pulling himself up through the hatch.

H3

Group photo underneath the 38′ wide freeway.

H3

Going down the tunnel where stripped wiring littered the ground. That’s why we can’t have nice things.

H3

I don’t think somebody paid their electric bill.

H3

Shadows.

H3

Mateo crossing over one of the walkways that connected the tunnel sections.

H3

I think Laredo was doing a cavity search.

H3

Licking the front end.

H3

Licking the back end.

H3

This was like a field trip visiting the Urban Museum of Graffiti.

H3

Faster than a speeding bullet.

H3

It was quite the handful for Art.

H3

Catching a breath of fresh air, some of us dropped down from the tunnel and caught a glimpse of the highway slicing through North Halawa Valley.

H3

Tessa sitting on one of the walkways as vehicles rumbled over our heads.

H3

Scott test driving something he may need in a couple of years. Joke.

H3

Chris hanging above the exit hatch.

H3

Some choose the unassisted fall.

H3

Others choose the assisted ride down.

H3

Group photo underneath the highway that took over 37 years from inception to completion and cost $1.3 billion dollars to build.

H3

We found out we couldn’t do the round trip, so we hiked back through the forest trails, bridges and service roads.

Windward

Chris jumping on the ghetto version of the bouncy house.

All pau

Pressed into service to move away a shopping cart for a random driver and to shuttle hikers. Fun hike with a great group. Post hike meal at Mexican Food. What kind of food do they have on the menu?

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Omega Station Hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VMp8GEQERU

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our H3 Tunnel Hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on5rr8CigjA

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Art Young, Chris Bautista, Edgar Gamiao, Quan Haberstroh, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Marilyn Bermudez, Mateo Dea, Scott Dea, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

We went back to complete some unfinished business in the mountains. Mahalo to Rocky’s wife, Glory, for dropping us off at the top of Keaiwa Heiau State Park. Photo by Rocky Abad.

Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Shirley, Tina, Rocky, Mia, myself, Daryl, Lee, Dale, Ethan and Chris. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Aiea Loop Trail

The group crossing through a deeply eroded section of the trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Transitioning from the loop to the ridge trail. Miles and miles of hiking ahead of us. 5.5 miles to be exact.

Aiea Ridge Trail

The girls descending down the trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Dale crossing the landslide section. Look ma, no hands!

Aiea Ridge Trail

The group picking their way along the narrow stretch of the ridge. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Somebody is out of their element. Photo by Rocky Abad.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Panoramic view of the mountain range. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Lee doing a handstand without assistance.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Shirley not doing a handstand with assistance.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Girls only. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Group photo at the 2,441′ summit of Pu’u Kawipo’o.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Making our way to the power line tower. Photo by Tina Corpuz.

Aiea Ridge Trail

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Scenic shot. Every hiker has their photo. Photo by Shirley.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Almost to the summit.

Aiea Summit

Silent Shirley strikes again.

Aiea Summit

Group photo at the gusty 2,805′ summit.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

Windward winds kept us straight on the ridge line. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

Scrambling up one of the many hills on the ridge. Up and down.

KSRT

Smile break or smoke break?

KSRT

Chris and Daryl in the middle of the saddle. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

Hikers on the ridge line.

KSRT

Heading into the meadows. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

When the wind takes your favorite cap down wind and you have to go retrieve it.

KSRT

When you don’t learn from the first time and have to do it the second time.

KSRT

Group photo by Daryl Cacatian in front of the fenced enclosure protecting a rare endemic bellflower plant.

KSRT

Stunning views of the valley to the valley to the ocean. Photo by Lee Shreve.

KSRT

Chris and Daryl dropping down the ridge.

KSRT

Looking back as the clouds started to roll down the mountains, chasing us to hell.

KSRT

Chris and Daryl dropping off the ridge.

KSRT

Bad hair day in the mountains.

North Haiku Stairs

Looking down at the unfinished stairs to hell. Photo by Lee Shreve.

North Haiku Stairs

These girls packed some serious lunch. Glass containers and all. Photo by Lee Shreve.

North Haiku Stairs

Portraits in Hell.

North Haiku Stairs

Chris Zeppelin strumming Stairway to Hell. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

North Haiku Stairs

Ethan, I have an owie.

North Haiku Stairs

The Goodwill Bunker. Photo by Rocky Abad.

North Haiku Stairs

Shirley feeling nostalgic.

North Haiku Stairs

Taking the stairs out of hell.

North Haiku Stairs

Looking back as the rest of the group made their way down the rusting stairs.

North Haiku Stairs

What happened to the stairs? Photo by Lee Shreve.

North Haiku Stairs

Leaving hell behind us. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Whiteout conditions at the weather beaten geo marker. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

Dropping down to the Halawa junction.

KSRT

We dropped below the clouds to clear views of the Windward side. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Looking ahead to Moanalua Saddle.

Red Hill Summit

The stashed water supply has dwindled dramatically. Don’t be expecting free samples. Photo by Chris.

Red Hill Summit

Shirley leaving the summit behind her.

Moanalua Saddle

Treading carefully along the eroded saddle section. Photo by Lee Shreve.

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring or detouring? Ethan should’ve bet lunch. Photo by Chris.

Moanalua Saddle

The group dropping down into the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

A good day on the saddle. The company and views make it all worthwhile. Photo by Chris.

Moanalua Saddle

Up and over.

Moanalua Saddle

Daryl straddling the straddle. Photo by Chris.

Moanalua Saddle

Shirley making her way down the saddle. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back at the saddle.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo at the summit. Third time is the charm. Jumping back and forth is hard work.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Filming in progress. Traffic was everywhere but on the H-3 today. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Looking behind at the panoramic view of heaven and hell.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Leaving the summit and dropping down into the valley.

Kulana’ahane Trail

One of multiple dry and wet stream crossings.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Pockets of tangled and twisted hau branches lined the valley trail. Photo by Lee Shreve.

Kulana’ahane Trail

The barely rippling stream was so clear and inviting. No swimming today.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Crossing the streambed to join the rest of the group at the junction.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Group photos are like bunny ears, they multiply like crazy if you don’t watch your back.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Passing by one of seven storied bridges on the trail.

All pau

We walked out of the trail and into the park to use the restroom and wash our feet with the open faucet. Somebody lost her car keys. Looked for them. Found them. We can leave the park now.

GPS Tracks

Our group hike covered 13.38 miles through windy and cloudy ridges with great company and fun all around. We survived our hike from hell and some of us went to Cattle Company Steakhouse for our post hike meal. Daryl was going to do his leg workout but changed his mind and joined us for our wait workout, which took over an hour. Samplers and souvenirs were the course for the day.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

When we last hiked to Haiku Stairs, I had heard about another lesser known stairs that was located across the valley on Haiku Ridge, called Haiku Hidden Stairs or Stairway to Hell. Not one to pass up the chance to check out a new hike, I met Glenn at the end of Iwaena Street in Halawa Valley at 6:30am.

Crossing the streambed

We entered the Halawa Xeriscape Garden through an access gate to the left of the main gate and pushed our way through chest high grass to get to the back of the garden, where the trail went to the left through more tall grass. Eventually, we came across a rain gaging station and crossed the dry streambed to regain the trail.

Underneath the H3 Freeway

The trail continues underneath the H-3 Freeway or more formally known as the John A. Burns Freeway.

Access Road

As we made our way out from underneath the H3, we had to push through more tall grass to get to an access road. We picked up the trail again by going up the hill right before the bridge. The trail is ribboned and roped in certain steep parts until we got to the top of Halawa Ridge, where we took a left on the dirt road which lead us into Halawa Valley.

Landslide and the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels

The trail is initially open and strewn with fallen trees and branches. A good sized pig startled us as it ran across the trail. After that, a couple hunting dogs started to follow us until they found their owners. Then the trail was swallowed by uluhe ferns and thick pockets of vegetation. Slogging through all that, made me long for a narrow ridge with thousand foot drops on both sides. We eventually came out of the valley to be greeted by a landslide that had taken a big chunk of the trail away, luckily there was a trail to the right that went around it.

H3 through Halawa Valley

Looking back at the H3 snaking it’s way through Halawa Valley. If it wasn’t for the Damon Estate and a certain petroglyph encrusted rock called the Pohaku ka Luahine, the H3 would have gone through Moanalua Valley instead. The trail then gradually wound its way through the sides of the mountain. No steep climb with rapid elevation gains here, this trail makes you work for the views.

Panoramic view from Haiku Ridge

We got to the top of Haiku Ridge around 11:30am to take in awesome views of Haiku Valley and Kaneohe. We could even see the CCL Building across the valley as we ate our lunch. Click here to see the larger panoramic view from Haiku Ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Spending five hours trudging through the valley and the sides of the mountain, I was looking forward to the welcome break of climbing hills and ridges.

Geo Marker

When we got to the top of the hill, it was capped by a geo marker with commanding views of the Windward side of the island.

CCL Building

As we made our way along the trail, we encountered the now familiar A-frame foundations that once held antenna cables that was strung to the opposite side of the valley. That must have been an engineering feat to pull off back in the day.

Rusted stairs and cable

We soon came upon the first section of the rusted stairs, that gave way to staked cables that provided solid holds on the narrow ridge.

Bunker

After passing a bunker or storehouse, our destination was just over the hill.

Panoramic view from Haiku Hidden Stairs

We got to the stairs around 1:00pm, the view was more panoramic and stunning than one afforded by the Haiku Stairs. Click here to see the larger panoramic image from the top of Haiku Hidden Stairs.

Jungle Stairs

Did I mention that parts of the stairs are almost completely overgrown? Not only that, but the stairs are missing steps and railings on some sides going down. And what railings exist, may crumble to dust when you touch them as I found out when I was going down the stairs, one section of the railing literally dissolved into rusted dust when I grabbed it.

Stairway to Hell

I was sorely tempted to go down until the stairs terminated at about the middle of the ridge. However, the day was getting long and we still had to haul ourselves back to our cars. Luckily I stopped halfway down the stairs and we hiked back out the valley and got to our cars around 7:00pm just as darkness covered the island.