Join us for unforgettable views & stories of the Ka Iwi Coast!
Saturday, December 9
2:30pm-7:30pm
Enjoy exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime views & support the Stairs.
Friends of Haʻikū Stairs is delighted to offer another exclusive fundraiser celebrating the natural wonder, cultural heritage, and inspirational stories of the Ka Iwi Coast.
There are two hike options to choose from as well as an opportunity to only join us for our special evening commemorative program and gourmet reception, featuring some of the heroes of the Save Sandy Beach fight and incredible guest speakers. Click the Register Now button or keep scrolling to learn more.
We hope to see you there!
For any questions or concerns, please email info@haikustairs.org.
Wouldn't you like to see the view from up here?
About the Event
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fight to protect the Ka Iwi Coast from development and the 35th anniversary of the successful Save Sandy Beach voter initiative. As we continue our own struggle to save an equally treasured resource, the Stairway to Heaven, we take inspiration from these earlier victories and the lessons they hold: the triumph of community power over government corruption, the building of durable grassroots coalitions, and the commitment to environmental conservation.
In celebration of these great victories and in hopes of achieving our own, Friends of Haʻikū Stairs is delighted to offer another exclusive fundraiser event celebrating the natural wonder, cultural heritage, and inspirational stories of the Ka Iwi Coast.
Participants can choose between two different hiking options -- Advanced (3 hours) & Moderate (2.5 hours) -- plus a special evening commemorative program and reception (see below for details).
These hikes go through private, rarely-accessed land and offer once-in-a-lifetime clifftop views above Makapu'u, Sealife Park, Waimanalo Bay, and beyond.
Both hikes will be guided, interpretive hikes led by experts in their field. You will learn more about the cultural and natural history of the area, its native plants, and also hear stories of the land.
Friends of Haʻikū Stairs will host an early evening reception and commemorative program with a wine-tasting curated by a global Master of Wine as well as a gourmet charcuterie table. We will feature a special anniversary program celebrating some of the key heroes of the Save Sandy Beach fight, Phil Estermann & Gary Gill, as well as feature incredible guest speakers, Ann Marie Kirk, who will offer personal, in-depth knowledge of the Ka Iwi Coast and its rich cultural history, and Kendrick Chang, who will give exclusive insight into the fight to protect and preserve the Ka Iwi Coast. Guests will, of course, get an update on the fight to save the Haʻikū Stairs.
How to Attend
There are 15 available spots for each hike option ($250 per person) and 30 spots available for the reception only option ($100 per person). Donations & reservations can be made by clicking the "Register Now" button below.
There are three different reservation options for this event. See below for details. You may reserve as many spots as you'd like.
Reservations are given on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to grab your spot ASAP!
Please note: We will offer full refunds for cancellations made by November 25 and a 50% refund for cancellations made by December 2. Cancellations after December 2 are non-refundable.
FHS No-Post Social Media Policy
Please note that FHS has a no-post social media policy (including GPS trail apps) on all trails that are not state trails in order to protect the trails from being “loved to death”. This policy is also designed to discourage hikers from going on hikes for which they are not prepared or which are beyond their experience level. We have permission from the private landowner(s) to access these trails and they also have a NO-POST protocol, meaning you cannot post any pictures of the trail and its view anywhere. Please be respectful of these policies so we do not lose access to this hike. Mahalo!
Option 1:
Advanced
Duration: 3 hours
This hike is on exclusive, private land not normally open to the public. You will follow a steep ridge up on the left-hand side of the valley that leads to heart-stopping, rarely-accessed clifftop views above Makapu'u, Sealife Park, Waimanalo Bay, and beyond. The returning path down is a more gradual route on right-hand side. This hike involves modest rock climbing and semi-steep ups and downs with moderate drop-offs.
We do not recommend this hike for beginners or those afraid of heights.
Hike Leader:
Hawkins Biggins
Hawkins Biggins grew up hiking Oahu’s trails and was raised with an appreciation for nature. In her spare time she enjoys spending time in the mountains photographing and learning about native plants. She has been an active member of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) for over ten years. One of her roles with HTMC is as a volunteer Hike Coordinator, as she enjoys sharing her love and respect for the ‘Aina. Learn more about the work she does with HTMC here!
Option 2:
Moderate
Duration: 2.5 hours
This hike is on exclusive, private land not normally open to the public. This path follows a more gradual route on right side of valley. The returning path follows an extension further down valley. This route is suitable for intermediate hikers, but summit views at the top have steep drop-offs.
We do not recommend this hike to those afraid of heights.
Hike Leader:
Gary Gill
Gary Gill is a former City Council Chair and has worked as Development Director for the Hawaii Sierra Club, Program Manager for Kokua Kalihi Valley community health clinic, Executive Director of Waimea Valley on Oahu's North Shore, and Program Director for Blue Planet Foundation of Hawaii. He and his 'ohana are longtime environmentalists and have recently restored the Ossipoff Cabin, winning a Docomomo Residential Design Award of Excellence in 2021, and are still working to restore the surrounding land (read more here.) Gary is also currently involved with the Pālehua Conservation Initiative to promote ʻāina-based education and stewardship that protects and restores natural, cultural and community resources of the southern Waiʻanae mountains and throughout Hawaiʻi. Learn more & get involved here!
Option 3:
Commemorative Program & Reception
Time: 5:30pm-7pm
Join us for our early evening reception, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the fight to protect the Ka Iwi Coast from development. Guests will enjoy a wine-tasting curated by global Master of Wine Stephen Skelton as well as a place at our gourmet charcuterie table catered by Cirillo Charcuterie & Cheeses.
The evening will feature some of the key heroes of the Save Sandy Beach fight, Phil Estermann & Gary Gill. Special guest speaker Kendrick Chang will give personal, exclusive insight into the incredible battle fought and won for the Ka Iwi Coast. Special guest speaker Ann Marie Kirk will offer professional, in-depth knowledge of the unique cultural history of of the Ka Iwi Coast. Guests will also receive an update on our current legal and political battle to save the Stairs.
Special Guest Speakers:
Ann Marie Nālani Kirk
Ann Marie Kirk is the creator and founder of Maunalua.net, a website dedicated to sharing the cultural history of East Oʻahu. She is also the President of the non-profit Story Catcher. Her current work in the community is Maunalua.netʻs Nā ʻAnaeholo Mural Project along Kalanianole Highway. To learn more about Ann Marie, please visit bluecratermedia.com.
Kendrick S. Chang
Kendrick is a volunteer advisor to Livable Hawaii Kai Hui (LHKH) and will be joining the non-profit’s board of directors in 2024.
A graduate of Kaiser High School, Kendrick first volunteered with LHKH as a teen and steadfastly stepped up to serve as one of the youth leaders during the 2015 grassroots fundraising campaign. As a college and law student, Kendrick served as a youth advisor and community outreach advisor for LHKH and was one of the lead partner coordinators to organize Ka Iwi Explorations. Kendrick currently works as an attorney in downtown Honolulu and is committed to using his legal and leadership skills to support Livable Hawaii Kai Hui’s mission in his free time.
Note: Both hike options include admittance to the special Commemorative Program & Reception.
Photos by: Hawkins Biggins
About Livable Hawaii Kai Hui
After 46 years of grassroots effort to conserve the Ka Iwi Coast, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui purchased the final threatened undeveloped lands in 2017 – the Ka Iwi mauka lands – to preserve these lands for community benefit and enjoyment. This final conservation purchase represented the culmination of a 45+ year history of community activism and grassroots organizing dating back to the Save Sandy Beach Movement. As a result, the entire Ka Iwi coastline mauka to makai will remain in its wild and natural state in perpetuity for generations to come.
Friends of Haʻikū Stairs are fortunate to have a couple volunteer advisors from Livable Hawaii Kai Hui to share about the 45+ year community movement to protect and preserve the entire Ka Iwi Coastline, including the grassroots fundraising campaign in 2015 that successfully raised $600,000 in three months to purchase the Ka Iwi mauka lands.
