Who’s Up For A Hike – To Heaven?
Yes, these steps are real: I’ve shared the story of Hawaii’s legendary “Stairway To Heaven”, an incredible climb with views – and photos – to die for!
Well, it’s important to remember two things: first, they are illegal to climb, and second, they are coming down!
Here’s the breaking news story:
Hawaii’s “Stairway to Heaven” will soon be no more. The 3,922-step Haiku Stairs on Oahu’s Ko’olau mountain range were built by the US Navy in the 1940s to give access to a secret radio station; the public was barred from using the stairs in 1987. But that—and an associated fine of up to $1,000—hasn’t stopped an estimated 4,000 people from trying to climb them each year anyway. The Honolulu City Council last Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to remove them, with the Hill quoting councilmember Esther Kiaaina as saying the illegal trespassing caused by the stairs poses “a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life for nearby residents.”
So goodbye to “selfies” like this one!
The story continues:
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Tuesday approved the move. “We recognize the interest the stairs have to certain community groups,” said Blangiardi, reports Hawaii News Now. But “fundamentally, it is inappropriate to have a high-use tourist attraction entering through this residential neighborhood, which lacks in the capacity to provide appropriate facilities or parking.” He added, per Honolulu Civil Beat, “In addition, there is no unrestricted access to the stairs, and the primary landowner at the base made it clear it is not interested in providing access.”
I understand how the locals felt, but it’s a shame they couldn’t figure out a way to keep them!
The story finishes this way:
Many locals weren’t pleased either, with one nearby resident sharing this with the City Council: “Nobody can possibly understand the angst and stress that we go through every day. We’ve caught people climbing our fences, harassing our pets, creeping outside of our children’s bedroom windows. I personally have caught multiple instances of these egregious acts on video.” The city has a $1 million budget for disassembling the stairs; no date has yet been set for their removal.
Well, I suspect giving people a window of opportunity to get there and climb it may not have been the best choice…we will see – and remember, that “stairway” was one of three wild ones I share with you!
Yes, there are other wild ones as well and you can see them all by clicking here:
And one incredible Artist made his own “stairway to heaven”, using fireworks! Click here for video of this incredible achievement!
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Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, nature, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Travel, Travel Adventures
johnrieber 
There has to be a common-sense solution to this problem without getting rid of a piece of history. Our sue-happy society makes everything a potential liability lawsuit.
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That’s such a shame when a piece of history has to be demolished…it’s a pity a comprise can’t be found …
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I agree…not sure how it was built if these private houses were on the entrance and why they can;’t work around it!
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Depends I suppose what was built first and what the land rights are…maybe entrance access could be changed or as Pete suggested a cable car..they do have one in Gibraltar which we rode to see the sights it was awesome…it seems a shame to dispense with a piece of history…
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That’s a shame. I’m sure they could have found a way. Lots of hikes are in difficult areas. Sounds like nimbyism. Harassing pets by trying to pet them I’ll bet.
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Tourist can behave badly and upset the residents. It’s such a pity.
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I didn’t know the story behind this one, thanks for sharing it! My grandma had a thing for WWII and Hawaii, and she took me to see several important places, but not this one. Even though climbing these stairs would have been something she totally would do, right up her alley. I wonder if she did? Too bad I can’t ask her.
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Thank you for telling your readers that this was built in WWII as a way to get to a secret radio station. People forget that. I completely understand how the residents feel. It’s a shame that the stairway cannot be preserved in some way.
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OMG I was going to build a plan to visit there after I saw your post on IG, but they are disassembling!? Well, I can see…Safety is important🤔
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I think it’s a disruption to the neighborhood and not actually dangerous! Too bad as it would be so cool to do! Thank you for commenting!
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Wow!
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imagine if you worked at that navy radio station?
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I didn’t know about those stairs — but that’s okay. I’m freaked out by heights. It’s too bad it needs to be removed though, but I totally understand.
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I can see the safety issues why they have to take the stairs away, but agree with you that the money might be better spent providing a safer tourist attraction that doesn’t interfere with those living nearby. Perhaps a cable car from some distance away would be a good solution?
Best wishes, Pete.
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