Plan A was dismissed for lack of permit, Plan B was discarded due to lack of commitment, and so it was down to Plan C today.

Aiea Loop

Thanks to Tessa for dropping us off at the park as they opened the gates, perfect timing as it saved us 10 minutes of walking. We are part-time hikers.

Aiea Loop Trail

Bench with a semi-sunrise view on the trail that follows the historic railway that operated between 1898 to 1947 that supported the sugar industry.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Looking back at the John A Burns Freeway that was mired in controversy before its opening in 1997, but the passage of time has proven its effectiveness as another transportation corridor that helps to reduce clogged traffic on the island.

Pu’u Kawaipo’o

My office view today from the 2,441′ hill.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Hiking over one of multiple humps on the ridge line.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Akira and Kenny making their way on the muddy trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Passing somebody’s discarded tent on the trail. Perhaps the original occupant will come back to claim it, if not, CB said he will put it to good use on his next visit.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Akira passing near the crackling powerline transmission tower that is part of the infrastructure that keeps the islands humming with electricity.

Aiea Summit

Drone view of the socked in 2,805′ summit.

Aiea Summit

Thanks to Chef Suzuki for the bacon, eggs and rice brunch at the socked in and soggy summit.

Aiea Summit

Leaving the summit as we stepped foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains that were thankfully shedding the cloud coverage.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Enjoying the expansive views of Kaneohe Bay and beyond while somebody else was focused on keeping his footing steady on the ridge line.

KSRT

Cramping with the verdant valley views that were strangely devoid of the normally present strong circulation movements aka wind. No complaints here.

KSRT

Descending towards what has been called a raft of different names: Haiku Hidden Stairs, North Haiku Stairs and the more common Stairway to Hell.

Stairway to Hell

Welcome to Stairway to Hell, the red-headed stepchild of Stairway to Heaven.

Stairway to Hell

Group shot on the dilapidated stairs that are slowly returning to Mother Nature.

Stairway to Hell

Climbing back up the stairs that were left incomplete by the US Navy due to the ridge topography that doesn’t lend itself well to man-made infrastructure.

Stairway to Hell

Exploring the bunker that was pleasantly clean and devoid of the rank smell of ammonia from past visits.

Stairway to Hell

Threading our way through the tetanus spikes that were once part of the railings and are now slowly rusting away.

Stairway to Hell

Passing through one of multiple platforms that were once home to A-Frames that hung suspended antenna cables across the valley.

Stairway to Hell

Climbing the rusted stairs out of Hell.

KSRT

Going up a small hill to be soon replaced by bigger hills.

KSRT

Kenny making his way down the trail with the presumably vacant Stairway to Heaven beckoning to us from across the valley.

KSRT

Akira hiking on the edge of the pali (cliff) overlooking the H-3 Freeway as the traffic noise wafted up to the ridge line.

Red Hill Summit

The guys approaching the summit that looked like it was recently cleared as it was almost unrecognizable from my last visit.

Moanalua Saddle

Striking out towards the Western half of what is considered the “easiest” of the three main saddles on the KST.

Moanalua Saddle

One has to crawl before one can walk.

Moanalua Saddle

Akira climbing down the rockface section while Kenny contemplates the meaning of life or thinking he could be relaxing in his new home instead of subjecting himself to today’s hike.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way down the saddle against the backdrop of Halawa Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

Standing and scooting our way down the grassy ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Descending down the long line as I like to call it.

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving the imposing and intimidating looking mountains behind us.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Our final group photo at the summit before heading down into the valley and the 28 stream crossings and the endless road out. We left the summit at 1630 and hustled our way out in two hours as we didn’t want to test the police presence that shuts the park down at 1900 and we also wanted time to wash our muddy shoes.

GPS Tracks

Our virgin saddle hike covered 11.5 miles to hell and back. Great job on Kenny’s part as he works on overcoming his acrophobia. Post hike meal was at Plan A which was Pepper Lunch but too crowded. Plan B was Alley Restaurant which was also too crowded. We ended up at BBQ Chicken which was not crowded, where we were joined by Tessa and Marilyn.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Kenny Lui, 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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Met up with Analyn, Ani and Ferlino to fly the slightly less crowded skies going to Molokai this weekend. No TSA lines and lack of liquids rule makes it the only way to fly.

Hoolehua Airport

Landing on the fifth largest of the inhabited Hawaiian islands. We picked up our jeep and was told not to treat it like a 4×4. We then drove to the laid back town of Kaunakakai where we got our food and water from the farmers market and supermarket.

Highway 450

Despite the island having only one main artery, it took us quite awhile to find our local guide, Uncle Ray Leimana Naki. Thanks to Emily for the recommendation and others for their not so spot on directions. He turned out to be a very educational and entertaining character that started off with a talk story session as he wove palm fronds into sun visors for us while we got acquainted.

Halawa Valley

We soon left, not soon enough for some, for the eastern side of the island where we made the winding descent into the valley floor, catching a view of the 500′ Hipuapua Falls on our way down.

Halawa Valley

Entering the privately owned valley that was one of the earliest settlements in Hawaii.

Halawa Valley

Unko testing the waters for us, hopefully not literally.

Halawa Valley

We parked our jeep in the grassy clearing and started our hike in the verdant valley.

Halawa Valley

Passing through the terraced land and fruitful trees.

Surinam cherries

Low hanging miniature pumpkin shaped fruits in various states of ripening that are more related to the guava and mountain apple family than its namesake.

Halawa Valley

Unko pausing at one of his relative’s house. Nobody was home.

Halawa Valley

Passing through an abandoned home with artistically drawn murals on the sagging wooden fence.

Halawa Valley

Unko explaining the difference between female and male rocks in the forest.

Halawa Valley

Resting near large pohaku (rocks) that was carried and stacked by large kane (men).

Noni

The potato sized fruits that littered the trail can also be used as mosquito repellent as demonstrated by Unko who picked one up and crushed it all over his body.

Halawa Valley

Our first glimpse of Halawa stream that courses through the valley. Photo by Ani Lagpacan

Awapuhi Kuahiwi

Sunlight shimmering on the reddish pine cone shaped flowers.

Halawa Valley

We traveled upstream to cross the more passable section of the flowing waters. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Halawa Valley

Unko offering Ana Puka his hand for assistance.

Halawa Valley

When you don’t take Unko up on his assistance, you end up getting assisted anyway. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halawa Valley

Unko parting the waters to show me which rock to step on. Yes Unko. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halawa Valley

Approaching the thundering waterfalls. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Moaula Falls

Nobody could get close enough to drop a ti leaf in the water as the voluminous displacement kept us at a safe distance. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Moaula Falls

Basking in the powerful mist and power of the 250′ multi-tiered cascading waterfall.

Moaula Falls

Group photo left to right: Uncle Leimana, Annie, Kensi, Paulino and Ana Puka. Lack of time prevented us from hiking over to the other falls, so we soaked up these falls while we could.

Halawa Valley

Crossing without Unko’s assistance.

Halawa Valley

Ana. Puka. Word association was the cultural game of the day.

Halawa Valley

Making our way underneath the tangled thicket of hau branches.

Halawa Valley

Who wen cut the cheese? Annie!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 …

Unko counting down the exact second back to our jeep that ended our 3.9 mile hike.

Highway 450

Two beeps Paulino. I feel safer now. Thank you.

Highway 450

The sun was dropping down as we stopped at a scenic spot to indulge in another photo shoot.

Highway 450

Looking down into Halawa Bay.

Highway 450

One of our last peeks at the rugged coastline as we made our way out of the valley to drop off Unko and pick up Chris who had flown in on a later flight after work.

Hiro’s Ohana Grill

Post hike meal at the island’s only hotel. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Molokai Hot Bread

After we had checked in to our room, we went out and participated in the nightly tradition of getting hot bread fresh out of the oven and slathered with ones desired toppings at the towns bakery. We also saw Yoly there as well. Truly a small island. Goodnight from the Friendly Isle.

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.

Some Ohio Professor thought I was joking about taking him to the saddles for his special day. Happy Birthday!

Trailhead

I picked up Andy from Kalama Valley and we drove to Moanalua Valley, where Analyn was kind enough to take us to the trailhead off Likelike Highway.

Powerlines

Our first views of the day. Hope it won’t be the last. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Hanging onto the plants as we made our way along the ridge.

Witchs Hat

Scrambling up the backside of the conical shaped rock, depending on your point of view.

Witchs Hat

Climbing down the frontside or wait, is this the backside? Depends on your direction of travel. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Witchs Hat

The best seat on the saddle.

Rock Triangle #1

Climbing up on the Windward side. The best side. On this side. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Rock Triangle #1

Andy making his way up with Olomana in the background.

Rock Triangle #2

Climbing up on the Leeward side. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Broken Wave

Pretending to be a billy goat helps when going up a crumbly ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping off the ridge and contouring on the Leeward side.

Dirty Slide

Going up the soft, shifting dirt makes one fight for every inch gained.

Power problems

There are more pressing problems than trying to safely traverse a crumbly ridge, like changing a dead GoPro battery.

Kalihi Saddle

Andy making his way up the windswept ridge.

KSRT

Swimming through the overgrowth.

Bowman Summit

Halfway done at the partially socked in summit of Kahuauli.

KSRT

Traversing the cloud soaked ridge line.

Tripler Summit

Missing out on the Windward views.

KSRT

Heaven must have sneezed as the clouds blew away to reveal the ridge and all the man made structures in all her glory.

KSRT

Looking back at the Windward views that we had missed earlier.

KSRT

In exchange for receiving zero assistance in locating Diamond Head, we pointed a California visitor from Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe to the terminus of Stairway to Heaven. Still looking for the hardest hike on the island.

CCL Building

Picture with a photobomber.

Stairway to Heaven

You guys can go that way …

Moanalua Saddle

… and we’ll go this way.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way down against the backdrop of Halawa Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving Heaven behind us. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Moanalua Middle Ridge

Watching other hikers take the longer and slightly less eroded ridge back down.

Moanalua Saddle

Scooting our way down as the ridge took on a decidedly eroded character.

Moanalua Saddle

Andy trying to get his footing on the ever crumbling rocks.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way over windswept trees, crumbly rocks and scenic views. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Dirt Triangle

Leg eye view of myself making my way down the most famous obstacle on this saddle. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Moanalua Valley

Andy contouring his way around with the valley in the background that was originally the planned home for the H-3 Highway.

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving behind the polygon of rocks and dirt behind us.

Moanalua Saddle

Backing our way down the Windward contour. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Andy was disappointed that the saddles hadn’t been more “challenging”, so we had to do it on one leg with our hands tied behind our back. The one eye shut is open to speculation as we were both wearing sunglasses.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Are we having second thoughts about pushing towards Red Hill? Perhaps not.

Dry chute

The ridge wasn’t crying us a river, let alone a waterfall.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Making our way underneath the tangled thicket of hau branches.

All pau

The end of the road that still hasn’t grown on me and probably never will. Our 7.55 mile hike was a good saddle introduction that was blessed with overall good weather. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse, where the meals were a little rich for somebody’s liking.

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.

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.