Note about this hike: technically, Haiku Stairs is illegal. We've heard that it is illegal because it is dangerous and other people have told us that it is because the residents of the area don't like people coming and parking in the area. In any case, be discreet and respectful towards the people in the area. Also, there is a guard that comes to the beginning of the Stairway to stop people from climbing. As of 4/21/13, it was noted that the guard usually comes around 4:00 am.
Gear for this hike (recommended):
1. Gardening or hiking gloves with grip (the railing can be slippery, especially when it is cloudy)
2. Sturdy shoes (be prepared to get muddy, it often rains in the mountains and hiking to the stairs can be muddy)
3. Headlamps or flashlights (headlamps are better because you can keep both hands free, but flashlights will be just fine)
4. Water and snacks
5. Raincoat or regular jacket (it can be rainy, windy or cold on top of the mountain)
This was our first time doing stairway (except for Kaz, it was his second) and man, what a workout. Directions to Stairway vary and we've heard that all routes will work. Our route will take you through a "bamboo" forest and it's pretty cool. Starting off, you want to park somewhere around Makena Street of Kuneki Place. These streets might be crowded and we advise that you drive with your lights off because most of the residents of the area don't appreciate other people driving around and waking the whole neighborhood up. Once you park on either street, walk along Makena Street until you see a fence. It should say no trespassing and all of that stuff but just walk around it. Again, we'd like to remind you to be respectful to the people living near the stairs.
This is at the corner of Kuneki Street and Makena Street. Take a left at the stop sign and you'll see the fence blocking the road to the stairs.
Walk along the road for a couple hundred feet and you should see a couple breaks in the bamboo along the left hand side of the road. Look for one with a pink ribbon that signifies the trail. Enter the forest at any of these breaks - they all lead to the same place. As long as you follow the trail (it is pretty well defined) you will come to two fences. Don't go through the first fence, follow the trail to the second fence (there should be a hole in it, as of 4/21/13) and go through it.
Turn right out of the fence and walk along the paved road until you see a large clearing underneath the freeway. This is the true beginning of the Stairway to Heaven. Again, there is a fence, but you can easily walk around it to get to continue climbing up the stairs. It's only 3,922 stairs.
After climbing back down you will probably see the guard waiting down at the bottom by the road. He will probably ask you how it was and will ask you if you know how to get back. If you don't know, ask him and he'll give you instructions on how to get back. He is very friendly.
Make your way through a bamboo forest
until the actual stairway begins.
There are great views of the H3
and if you're lucky, the weather will be nice enough to see some stars. This is looking up at one of a few "rest stops" where the stairs level out onto platforms.
We took advantage of the long exposure setting to capture the stars.
Kaneohe waking up.
And the Pali highway to the right.
About 5:30am on the trail, still pretty dark.
The long exposure setting makes it look a lot lighter than it really was.
Made it to the top.
On the way back down.
The sun was out
and you could finally get a clear view of the H3.
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