This is the end of this legendary Hawaii mountain path. The Honolulu City Council announced the imminent destruction of the Haiku Stairs, also nicknamed “Stairway to Heaven” in a press release on April 10, three years after the project was approved. Located on Oahu, one of the main islands of the archipelago, they lead to one of the most impressive and sublime viewpoints on the island.
Made up of 3922 steps, these stairs are established at an altitude of more than 850 meters. Built during the Second World War, this route allowed the American navy to access a radio station. The site was chosen for its height, which was optimal for installing an antenna. Open to the public in the 1970s, the dizzying site has been prohibited from access since 1987 and any intrusion is punishable by a fine of 1000 dollars.
Preserving Oahu’s natural heritage
@sorrymomadventures
So grateful I was able to experience this before they started to remove it. Bittersweet. . . . #stairwaytoheaven #haikustairs #bucketlist #wanderlust #hikingadventures #honolulu #oahu #hawaiihikes #travelbucketlist
Over Now - Seven Lions & Above & Beyond & Opposite the Other
But despite the risks involved, the perilous route continues to attract unconscious tourists, including Tiktokers looking for the most beautiful landscapes. According to the American daily
USA Today
, between 2010 and 2022, more than 118 people had to be evacuated from the hiking trail. According to local Honolulu authorities, removing this road is the necessary solution to stop illegal trespassing and disruption to nearby private properties. This dismantling also aims to preserve the environment and the natural beauty of the place by limiting the number of visitors.
In total, the cost of the demolition is more than $2.5 million. In the press release, Mayor Rick Blangiardi affirms that this is not “
a capricious project
” but a decision based on respect for the heritage and the people living near the Haiku Stairs. According to the town hall, the deconstruction project will last six months and a biologist will be present to guide the work, in order to protect native species and prevent erosion.
ON VIDEO - Breathtaking images of the eruption of the Hawaiian volcano Kīlauea