Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

With 3922 steps going to the crest of the Koolau Mountains the Stairway to Heaven has long since been a favorite in the past for hikers though now it is closed to the public. Why the past?  Obviously, it is dangerous with some parts of the climb at a 90 degree angle.

This particular mountain peak is known as Puu Keahiakahoe and the stairs were built out of wood during World War II in 1942 for the U.S. Navy's Haiku Radio Station and the VFL antenna.  The first structure that was erected on top of the mountain housed the cable and pully system (winch) and brought supplies to the war watch standers.

The "Omega" Station operated as Hawaii's transmitting facility for the Loran (acronym for LOng RAnge Navigation)-C Navigational System and used primarily for ocean and coastal navigation. Of course GPS (Global Positioning System) will totally replace the Loran C and definitely provides better accuracy for world wide coverage.

After constant rain and wood rot the stairs were replaced with metal stairs some years later. Even with metal,the stairs rusted  and many were missing and broken so in 1987 the City and County of Honolulu closed the stairs officially.

Since the trail and stairs are now off limits to the public you will get fined and made to appear in court for trespassing. Not only that but it's very dangerous so stay off anyway.  There are other hiking paths that you can enjoy around the island so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Maybe I'm just a little regretful because I didn't take that hike up the Stairway to Heaven in younger years.

Oh, majestic mountain

That we view from afar....

While we were driving over to Kaneohe (on the northeast side of our island of Oahu) yesterday, I pondered on thoughts of where we were going, who we were spending Christmas with and what the real meaning of a holiday was.

I thought, It really isn't about the tangible stuff we call gifts. It's about the present. It's about the fact that I live and I will die but what's more important is what I do in between that matters. The now.

So, what was important yesterday?

The beauty that surrounds me every day that I sometimes do not appreciate caught up with me.  We all get tied up in everyday life and the expectations of others. Our businesses, our personal relationships and just the whole hustle and bustle of each holiday.

 So what made yesterday so special?

Mentally, I stopped.  I took out my camera and started to enjoy the ride and the beauty that all around me. The beauty that is there right in front of me each and every day. I was in awe and snapped many a picture to capture this moment in time.

I was but a small being traveling amongst the majestic mountains before me.

I was in the middle of a man made highway high above ground and heading to the tunnels through those majestic mountains to get to the other side. 

 Life is so short I thought.

A ray of sunshine peeking through the mist and clouds to show the sleepy coastal town below me;

a picture perfect show that will plant a seed in my memory bank.

A view from atop that allowed me to feel the greatness of the view before me;

for being someone so small and seemingly so insignificant in such a vast world of beauty.

I will remember this day of sharing hopes, dreams and a bright future.

All because I stopped to appreciate all before me that went beyond.....

Stuff.

P.S.

I did save this tangible gift from my daughter to share with you for the very last. It served more than the purpose to give comfort to my feet and just a gift. My daughter and I share a common bond.....holding on to the kid inside in a grown up world.

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    Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she KNOWS and serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.

Haiku Stairs (or otherwise known as the "stairway to heaven") is located on the Kaneohe side of Oahu and now closed to hikers. The stairs were riginally used to access longwire radio antennaes high above Haiku Valley and stretch about 1/2 mile long and over 4,000 steps.  

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Breathtaking! The Ko'olau Mountain Range is not a "normal" mountain range. The western half that is seen is what is left of the Ko'olau Volcano that was destroyed in Prehistoric times. What happened was the eastern half and much of the summit caldera (feature formed during volcanic activity) slid into the Pacific Ocean.

These fragments were cast 100 miles over the northeast part of the ocean floor. History says the eruption first took place on the ocean floor 2.5 million years ago. It kept growing in elevation (which you see here to the left) and currently stands over 3,000 feet above sea level. Scientists believe that this dormant volcano will one day come to life again.

The map below shows the monstrosity of the Ko'olau Mountains (to the right and all in green) which is the length of our island of Oahu from southern (Honolulu) to northern (North Shore) ends. If you are planning on Relocating to Hawaii this article will give you a little more lore and information regarding our island of Oahu. 

We traveled over the H-3 Freeway to get to the windward side of the island (which is basically from central Oahu west of the Koolau's to the east side of Oahu) where Kaneohe and Kailua towns are located. From there we went all along the coast to the North Shore and back to Central Oahu.

After going through Kaneohe town we headed north through and went through the following towns:

• Waimanalo- Country area, plenty of agricultural land and I love to go out there to the orchid farms where you can pick up variety at low cost.
• Kaawa- Macadamia Nut Farm, Koolau Ranch
• Punaluu- Beautiful beaches, waterfront properties and the Crouching Lion restaurant
• Hauula- Country, coastal properties
• Laie- Polynesian Cultural Center, BYU University, Laie Point fishing
• Kahuku- Sugar Mill, Shrimp Farms, Farmland
• Sunset Beach- North Shore Famous Surfing Spot, beaches, coastal and mountain properties.
• Waimea Bay- Beautiful bay, swimming, Autubon society in Waimea Valley
• Haleiwa- Old historic town, quaint shops and beaches

We traveled only 3/4 of the way along the Koolau Mountain Range to the left of us and the ocean to the right. No matter how many times we make this beautiful drive every single time it proves to have such scenic views to behold each and every time. (click the button for the show twice...it has a kink sometimes :)

More articles on Oahu for Hawaii Relocations (or even visitors!) can be found here:

Waimea Valley: History Uncovered, Preserved and Protected

Honolulu County Relocations: A Look into Laie, Hawaii

Relocating to Oahu, Hawaii? A Glimpse into Old Town Wahiawa

Historic Haleiwa Town: North Shore-Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii Coastal Land: *Ponder Before Purchasing*

Purchasing Hawaii Vacant Land? Ancient Hawaiian Burial Sites and Laws

For more information on Hawaii Relocations please contact Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman @ (808) 375-1404

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Mililani Hawaii Real Estate Blog 2007© 

*All pictures and content property of Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman