Dangerous And Frequently Breached, Hawaii's Iconic Haiku Staircase Will Be Eliminated

The beauty of the scenery after walking down the Haiku Stairs, Hawaii makes people willing to take risks and break the rules. (Wikimedia Commons/kalenemsley)

JAKARTA - Hawaii's famous Haiku Stairway, sometimes called the 'Stairway to Heaven', is likely to be removed next year following a Honolulu City Council meeting to discuss ongoing issues with the site.

The 3,922-step staircase runs through the 2,800-foot mountain trail at Kaneohe, on the east side of Oahu, originally built by the U.S. Navy in the 1940s.

The top of the ladder is an area that seems to be above the clouds, with locals calling it the best view in all of Hawaii.

In 1987, the stairs were permanently off limits to the public. But that doesn't stop hikers, YouTubers, thrill seekers and other tourists from sneaking up on the site.

There have been many injuries there over the years, the most recent being a 24-year-old who picked up a knee injury and had to be sent off last April.

Hawaiian Haiku Stairs illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Hawaii Photo)

"Due to rampant illegal trespassing, the Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life of nearby residents," council member Esther Kiaʻāina told CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now, as quoted Sept. 16.

Kiaʻāina, whose district includes Kaneohe, wrote Resolution 21-154, a proposal to abolish the stairs. On September 8, the Honolulu City Council voted unanimously in favor of removing the stairs in perpetuity.

"The city has spent nearly $1 million in taxpayer dollars on remodel stairs and hundreds of thousands of dollars on security," board member Brandon Elefante told Hawaii News Now.

The move was then sent to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. He is expected to approve the abolition of the Haiku Stairs and allocate US$1 million from the city budget to cover costs. He has 60 days to make a final decision.

"Basically, it is inappropriate to have a high-benefit tourist attraction coming through this residential neighborhood, which does not have the capacity to provide appropriate facilities or parking," the mayor wrote in an email to local Honolulu outlet Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Haiku Stairs illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/kalenemsley)

“In addition, there is no unrestricted access to the stairs and the main landowner at the base has made it clear that he is not interested in granting access. As a result, my administration is aligned with the City Council resolution to remove the stairs and we intend to move them. forward with the necessary plans," Blangiardi continued.

After the act is officially approved, the mayor's office must set a time limit for the demolition and demolition of the stairs. Currently, there is a maximum fine of $1,000 for people caught trespassing on the Haiku Stairs.