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Olomana 3 Peaks

This hike is getting more and more popular, and for good reason. The third peak is one of the craziest looking peaks on earth – it looks like a pinnacle that is straight up on all sides (and it basically is). This trail is not for those uncomfortable with steep drop-offs and climbing, although you do have the help of ropes in many spots. The first peak has 1 area that is pretty sketchy and requires a little climbing, but if you get past there, the second peak is relatively easy. Then going down the second peak and up the third, and returning back to the second is the most dangerous part. People have died here, so be careful.

Just getting to the trailhead can be a challenge. You have to park as close to the intersection of Auloa and Loop Road, just off 61, or Kalaniana’ole Highway (take the Auloa exit). Many people park right by that intersection as there are some off-road areas, but the police are very picky about your entire vehicle being off the walking area. If you want to make sure you won’t get a ticket, park further into the neighborhoods and walk from there. I’d say it’s better than paying a fine. I avoided it completely the second time I did this hike, and parked at the Maunawili Valley Neighborhood Park. You could also get a ticket there, I guess, as it states that the lot is for park use only, but I’m glad I parked there because I saw a cop giving every single car by the intersection a ticket when I walked by. Anyways, you need to walk down the road to the golf course (labeled Loop Road on Google Maps) until you see the sign for the trailhead on your left. You have to go past the first guard station that says no trespassing, but keep going and you can’t miss the huge sign. The trail is unmistakable from there, and once you get to the summit of the first peak you can see the 2nd and 3rd. Hopefully you have people to take pictures of you, because all 3 of them look so awesome. And the views inland and out to the ocean are pretty awesome as well.

Allow 3-4 hours for all 3 peaks, 2-3 if not doing the third.

Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs)

I’ll start by saying that stepping foot on the stairs is illegal. Most people that get cited are those descending the stairs because the guard can see you coming pretty much the whole way. So the cops have plenty of time to get there and meet you at the bottom. Part of why they started posting a guard and citing people is because the bottom of the stairs start in residential neighborhood, and many people that do the hike start in the middle of the night and are loud. Or they leave trash everywhere. Or both. Please be respectful if you’re attempting to access the stairs from this side.

You can do 1 of 2 things, if you want to do it with less risk: go up the stairs and come down the (legal) trails on the other side, or start and finish on the legal side (how much time you spend on/how far down the stairs you go is up to you). You may need to stage 2 cars or take an Uber.

You can park on the legal side at the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, at the end of Ala Aolani Street. Pay attention to the hours posted if you get a spot in the park, because they do lock the gate and you won’t be able to get your car out if it’s there after hours. There is street parking, too. The Moanalua Middle Ridge is the easiest and most popular way there, and you start by walking along the road that starts in the parking lot for almost 2.5 miles. There is a sign that marks a trail to the left, but that goes to the Moanalua Saddle, which is the most dangerous/challenging way you can go. Just beyond that trail, less than 50 feet, is another trail that goes to the left. This is the trail you want, and there are ribbons tied to the trees to help you stay on the trail.

The Moanalua Middle Ridge trail is not easy – it is usually slippery and parts of it are very steep. There are usually ropes to help you up the really steep parts, however. Once you get to the top, you’re at the top of the stairs which descend the other side of the mountain.

You can also take the Tripler Ridge Trail, which is the next one over (south) from Moanalua Middle. If you’re coming up the stairs and descending the other side, you’d take a left at the very top instead of going straight up and over. You walk the ridge until you get to another abandoned radio tower and turn right there on the obvious trail. I wouldn’t recommend Tripler, however, as the path is very overgrown at the bottom and we spent quite a bit of time looking for it. You could go up Moanalua Middle or Saddle and come down Tripler, or in the opposite direction, if you’re looking for a little variety. The traffic on those 2 is much less than the middle ridge. Allow around 5 hours (including time to stop and take pictures/eat) if you’re going up and over, more if you’re starting and ending at the Moanalua park.

Kuliouou loop

The Kuliouou Ridge Trail is very well-known, but you can turn it into a ridge loop to make it a lot more fun and get away from the crowds. The trail up to the ridge starts at the end of Kalaau Road, and you can park on the street (not in the cul-de-sac, though). Walk down the restricted access road at the end of the cul-de-sac and the regular trailhead branches off to the right (there’s a sign). There are stairs built in to help you go up the steeper parts, and pretty much anyone could do this hike if they have the time. There is a bit of elevation gain (1,600 feet), however, and it can get busy during peak times. 2 miles one-way.

If you keep walking down the road instead of taking the normal trail to the right, it’ll turn to the left and end at a gated building. Just before the building, there’s a trail that goes up and to your right. That is where you start an aggressive incline until you basically get to the top. You keep going until you get to a beautiful viewpoint at the top of the ridge. You turn right and follow that ridge all the way to the Kuliouou lookout. There are parts along this ridge that have sheer drop-offs where the path is no more than 2 feet wide, so make sure you know what you’re in for. We didn’t see anyone else doing this part, but saw plenty of people on the normal Kuliouou trail. I’d allow 3 hours for the loop, as it’s somewhere around 5-6 miles.

Year traveled: 2018

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