Waikiki, while home to most of the hotels and resorts, is a crowded Vegas-like area. You’ll find heavy traffic driving in or out of the main hotel area near the beach. The western-most tip of Oahu has a somewhat spiritual reputation in Hawaiian folklore, as it is said to be the place where souls go after death to leap into the otherworld. From the parking lot, you can access the point either by the northern or southern sides.

Popularly known as the Stairway to Heaven, this hike consisted of a steep set of stairs on the island of Oahu and possibly was one of the most famous and/or best hikes in Hawaii – I’ll let you make the call on which. Whatever the case, the path was shut down after some damage occurred in 2015 for the safety of all us hikers.

There is plenty of daylight to complete the hike in the summer, but the winter months are a little more time-sensitive.

Cell phone charger– This is a safety item, in case your phone dies from searching for a signal, or using the flashlight if after dark. A Matter of Life and Death, A vida o muerte, Aşk ve ölüm, Caso de Vida ou Morte, Cheongugeui gyedan, Diadalmas szerelem, Een zaak op leven en dood, Een Zaak van Leven en Dood, En sag om liv eller død, En sak om liv og død, Escalera al cielo, Irrtum im Jenseits, Kysymys elämästä ja kuolemasta, Neste Mundo e no Outro, Otázka zivota a smrti, Pitanje života i smrti, Scala al paradiso, Sprawa życia i śmierci, Stairway of Heaven, Stairways of Heaven, Störst är kärleken, Taevatrepp, Une question de vie ou de mort, Ζήτημα ζωής και θανάτου, Въпрос на живот и смърт, Лестница в небо, 天国への階段, 太虛幻境 Aside from its panoramic views, you’ll hike by a couple of old military pillbox bunkers at the top of the ridge. What’s intimidating about climbing the attraction is that it’s completely illegal, and it’s been forbidden since 1987. Some people will tell you that’s also part of what makes climbing the Haiku Stairs such a rush.

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What makes this resort so special is that it feels peaceful in the midst of Hawaii’s capital city. If it’s your honeymoon or anniversary trip to Hawaii, this might be the perfect place to splurge!