Hiking the Stairway to Heaven (Haʻikū Stairs) Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi: What You Need to Know! - Updated 2025
The Stairway to Heaven hike on Oʻahu is one of the most controversial trails in Hawaiʻi.
There is always rumors revolving around regarding how to hike it, when to hike it, or should I even attempt it.
The purpose of this post is to inform you of the most recent information and try to cut out any rumors that you may have heard.
Will Stairway to Heaven on Oʻahu Be Demolished?
The Most Recent Background Information
June 2021:
The City and County of Honolulu approved a $1,000,000 proposal in the mayor’s budget to remove the Haʻikū Stairs.
Many in the close hiking community, including myself, believe it was snuck into our legislature without enough time for the community to stand up for the issue once again. It wasn’t a popular decision, and this showed by the vast majority of people who weighed in with their comments in an attempt to save the stairs. Truly, only those affected by the stairs’ access points were in opposition.
Someone who knows more than I do about the issue expressed to me that it was a local city council member who pushed it through without any regard for what the majority of people were saying.
March 2022:
The city increased the $1,000,000 amount to $1.3 million, but what really happened in all of this was a transfer of ownership. Originally, the land surrounding the stairs was owned by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), but during this time, the land was transferred to the City and County of Honolulu to decide what to do. This is where they ultimately decided to remove the stairs.
If you are unfamiliar, it was the BWS that hired the guard to sit at the bottom of the stairs to detour hikers, but today, there is no longer a guard in place following the transfer.
Do not take this information to think that anything about accessing the stairs just got easier or less risky. The guard did nothing in the first place but try and tell you to turn around without any real enforcement capabilities. So really, removing the guard didn’t change the difficulty or risk of accessing the stairs. The guard was merely a failed deterrent strategy before the transfer, and now, the local government simply chose to save the taxpayers some money by removing the guard.
January 2023:
In January of 2023, there was a push to reopen the stairs using federal money, but with light on the most recent information below, this seems out of the question.
August 2023:
As of August of 2023, a contract has been awarded for a little more than $2.5M to a private company for the removal of the stairs.
However, will this actually mean that Stairway to Heaven gets demolished? I’m skeptical, as this has been going on for years, but we’ll have to wait and see.
April 2024:
Today, the newest information is that deconstruction will begin at the end of April 2024, following a blessing that took place in Haʻikū Valley at the base of the Puʻu Keahiakahoe, more commonly known as the Stairway to Heaven.
Nākoa Companies Inc. was awarded the contract.
July 2024:
The demolition is now on hold pending further litigation from the Friends of Haʻikū Stairs against the city, which is slated to move forward in the courts in September of 2024.
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Stairway to Heaven Trail
First of all, attempting the Stairway to Heaven hike from any access point is 100% illegal. The second you step foot on the stairs from the back way or go beyond any fences and signs in Haʻikū Valley, you are trespassing!
That being said, the stairs see traffic from hikers daily, so here are some honest thoughts.
Stairway to Heaven Access Points
First, regardless of your choice in choosing an access point, all routes begin in residential neighborhoods, and all access points to the stairs specifically are illegal. If you’re in either of these two residential areas prior to sunrise, there’s no hiding what you’re up to if someone sees you. Sunrise is also the easiest time of the day to enforce because the police don’t have much else going on at that hour.
Second, there is no longer a guard, but the residents and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) are the real concern anyway. Residents may confront you and call HPD at any time. This includes when you can’t see them because they’re calling from within their homes.
Overall, I have not and never will provide a how-to access guide for the illegal Stairway to Heaven, but I know some thoughts needed to be shared because of how popular this hike is.
Stairway to Heaven Rumors
Rumors from years ago about needing to start the hike in the middle of the night are still floating around, but maybe I can be the first to tell you that is NOT true. Starting midday or middle of the night really makes no difference. The biggest risk is and always has been associated with the residential community surrounding the stairs.
If for some reason the police are called by a resident, the Honolulu Police Department does have the access codes for the gate in order to drive their car all the way to the base of the stairs, and they will ticket any hikers seen on that road at any given time.
This does not mean the stairs are patrolled by the police at all times. It just means there’s always the possibility of being in an unlucky situation. They have also been known to patrol Haʻikū Village, the neighborhood located just prior to the stairs, and turn around anyone that looks like a hiker in the early morning hours.
The biggest risk associated with the Haʻikū Stairs has always been getting past the residential area when starting and coming back. If you’re using some sort of light to come down in the dark, then anyone in the neighborhood has all the time in world to contact law enforcement to be waiting there for you at the bottom before you even get there.
The trick is to come down the stairs so that no one will even know you’re there. If you do have an encounter with someone, be respectful, don’t play dumb, and just leave. There’s no need to be hanging around so that they have time to get law enforcement involved.
What are the Consequences of Getting Caught on the Stairway to Heaven Hike?
Petty Misdemeanor
$5,000 fine
Jail, no Longer than 6 Months (Incarnation is Rare)
Legal Fees for a Defense Attorney
Usually 80 Hours of Community Service
Legal Fees for Expungement
Visa/ Immigration Hurdles
Impact on Professional Life (Especially Military)
Return Travel and Accommodations for Attend Court, Community Service, etc.
Research by @Hawaii_Mountain.Man.Matt
Stairway to Heaven Trail: Haʻikū Stairs vs. Moanalua Valley
Moreover, the purpose of this post was never to give step-by-step directions on how to trespass in order to gain access to the stairs, but to inform you of the current situation associated with the infamous Stairway to Heaven.
I do not personally, nor professionally, want to be responsible for giving advice on how to access an illegal trail. Even good information posted elsewhere will be hard to follow if you’re attempting the hike for the first time. The forest in Haʻikū Valley gets many people lost and injured before even reaching the stairs, which is why I will not take on any liability by giving advice.
As for the back way, most hikers are not prepared for a 10-mile (16.1 km) roundtrip hike, which concentrates the entire ascent and descent into a very short distance, making it a very steep and muddy hike. That being said, the front way through Haʻikū Valley is absolutely easier than the back way through Moanalua Valley.
Overall, you make your own decisions, and you are responsible for all the consequences of those decisions should you choose to attempt the Stairway to Heaven hike.
Best of luck! ᨒ 🤘🏼
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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