Haiku Stairs

File:Haiku Sairway.jpg as well as Kaneohe Bay.]]

In 1942, contractors for the U.S. Navy began construction of the Haʻikū Radio Station, a top secret facility that was to be used to transmit radio signals to Navy ships that were then operating throughout the Pacific.{{cite web |title=History of the haiku stairs |url=http://haikustairs.org/history/ |website=haikustairs.org |accessdate=January 8, 2015}} In order to obtain the necessary height for the antennae, the Navy stretched them across Ha{{okina}}ikū Valley, a natural amphitheater. Some remains of the wooden ladder may still be seen beside the metal steps.

The radio station was commissioned in 1943. To transmit such a powerful signal, the Navy needed a transmitter of greater capability than possible with vacuum tube technology at the time. They therefore decided upon an Alexanderson alternator, a huge device capable of generating powerful low-frequency radio signals, and requiring a large antenna.

When the Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay was transferred to the Marine Corps as Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in the 1950s, the U.S. Coast Guard used the Haiku Radio Station site for an Omega Navigation System station. In the mid-1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by sections of metal steps and ramps — by one count, 3,922 steps. The Coast Guard allowed access in the 1970s, but stopped after an appearance on Magnum P.I. increased visitation.{{Cite news |last=Jedra |first=Christina |date=2019-06-23 |title=Stairway to Heaven Could Be Removed By 2022 |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/06/stairway-to-heaven-could-be-removed-by-2022/|access-date=2021-05-14 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}} The station and trail were closed to the public in 1987.{{Cite news |last=Dym |first=Zoe |date=May 12, 2021 |title=Bill Proposes Funding The Removal of Ha'iku Stairs |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/post/bill-proposes-funding-removal-ha-iku-stairs|access-date=2021-05-14 |work=www.Hawaii Public Radio |language=en}}

In 2003 with plans to reopen the stairs to the public, they were repaired at a cost to the city of $875,000.{{cite news |url=http://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/attractions/stairwaytoheaven.php |title=Stairway to Heaven, Oahu |work=To-hawaii.com |accessdate=August 23, 2010}} With no public access available, nearby residents experienced trespassing and litter on their property.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Chelsea |date=February 28, 2018 |title=Injured hiker: 'Booby trap' set up to deter Haiku Stairs trespassers |language=en |url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37609901/injured-visitor-believes-kaneohe-homeowner-set-booby-trap-to-deter-hikers-from-haiku-stairs|access-date=July 21, 2018}}{{r|SFG 2021-09-10}} In early 2018, the City and County of Honolulu stated that there was no plan to open the stairs for public use, citing liability concerns. Some hikers ignored the "no trespassing" signs and continued to climb, contributing to the local community's misgivings about reopening the structure.{{r|KITV}}

In 2020, the Board of Water Supply released a final environmental impact statement that evaluated alternatives. The process collected comments through small-group and public meetings with various agencies, landowners, community organizations, and individuals. It estimated that removal of the stairs could cost as much as $1 million.{{Cite news |last=Pang |first=Gordon Y. K. |date=2020-01-25 |title=Final environmental impact statement renews call to dismantle Haiku Stairs |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/01/24/breaking-news/final-environmental-impact-statement-renews-call-to-dismantle-haiku-stairs/|access-date=2021-06-07 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US}} The board voted unanimously on April 27, 2020 to transfer the Ha{{okina}}ikū Stairs over to the city since the stairs were a liability that did not align with the agency's mission. The city had 18 months to take over or the stairs would be torn down. The city anticipated operating the trail as a paid attraction.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Chelsea |date=April 28, 2020 |title=Haiku Stairs gets reprieve from demolition, but now city needs to take action |language=en |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/04/28/stairway-heaven-be-transferred-city-county-honolulu/|access-date=April 28, 2020}}

The city took possession of the stairs on July 1, 2020.{{Cite news |date=July 3, 2020 |title=City to make Hawaii's 'Haiku Stairs' a public attraction |language=en |work=KITV |url=https://www.kitv.com/story/42323606/city-to-make-hawaiis-haiku-stairs-a-public-attraction |access-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508155907/https://www.kitv.com/story/42323606/city-to-make-hawaiis-haiku-stairs-a-public-attraction |url-status=dead }} After consideration of the significant liability and maintenance expense for the city, along with the impact to the quality of life of nearby residents, the city manager was urged to remove the stairs by non-binding Resolution 21-154, which was unanimously passed by the city council in September 2021.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Decision to remove Haiku Stairs now in Mayor's hands after council's unanimous vote |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/09/09/decision-remove-haiku-stairs-now-mayors-hands-after-councils-unanimous-vote/|access-date=2021-09-13 |website=Hawaii News Now |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Fiona |date=2021-09-10 |title=Hawaii's infamous Haiku Stairs are one step closer to removal |url=https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/Hawaii-Haiku-Stairs-removal-advances-Honolulu-16449522.php|access-date=2021-09-13 |work=SFGATE |language=en-US}} The budgeted cost to remove the stairs grew to $1.3 million.{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Approved City Council budget includes funding to tear down Haiku Stairs |language=en |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/06/02/approved-city-council-budget-includes-funding-tear-down-haiku-stairs/|access-date=January 24, 2023}} Friends of Haiku Stairs, a volunteer group aimed at preserving the trail, objected to the decision, saying they have a plan managing safe public access and trespassing at no taxpayer cost.{{cite news |last1=Anguiano |first1=Dani |title=Hawaii to remove forbidden staircase due to 'rampant trespassing' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/22/hawaii-stairway-to-heaven-trail-remove |access-date=23 September 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=22 September 2021}} The mayor said that removal will proceed as a high-use tourist attraction is inappropriate with an entrance through a residential neighborhood that lacks the room for necessary facilities such as parking.{{Cite magazine|last=Fox|first=Catherine Toth|date=2021-09-15|title=The Famed ʻStairway to Heaven' on Oʻahu Will Soon Be Gone|url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/the-famed-stairway-to-heaven-on-oahu-will-soon-be-gone/|access-date=2021-09-26|magazine=Hawaii Magazine|language=en-US}} The city announced in April 2024 that the nearly $2.6 million removal process would begin by the end of the month.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2024 |title=After decades of debate, city announces start of $2.6M Haiku Stairs removal project |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/04/10/city-announce-start-26m-haiku-stairs-removal-project-after-decades-debate/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Hawaii News Now |language=en}} The contract to remove the stairs was awarded to Nakoa Companies, Inc.{{Cite web |title=The Nakoa Companies Inc. {{!}} The Nakoa Companies Inc. - A Native Hawaiian Company |url=https://nakoaco.com/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |language=en-US}} As of April 16, 2024, it has been announced that it will be demolished. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said "I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision".{{Cite web |last=Marcus |first=Lilit |date=2024-04-17 |title=Hawaiian attraction to be removed following bad tourist behavior |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/haiku-stairs-hawaii-removal/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=CNN |language=en}} As crews began the dismantling process to prepare the stair sections to be flown out by helicopter, the police gave out citations to people attempting to ascend the trail by entering a construction area.{{Cite news |last=Hitt |first=Christine |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Multiple hikers arrested on Hawaii's 'Stairway to Heaven' |url=https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/hawaii-haiku-stairs-heaven-hikers-arrested-19419077.php |access-date=2024-04-24 |work=SFGATE |language=en}}

On June 12, 2025 non-profit Friends of Haʻikū Stairs filed a lawsuit asking to reverse the decision to demolish the Haʻikū Stairs.https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/lawsuit-asks-court-to-halt-ha%ca%bbiku-stairs-demolition-citing-state-flip-flop/

In August 2012, Don Tiki show singer and comedian Fritz Hasenpusch died of a heart attack during his Ha{{okina}}ikū Stair climb.{{Cite news |last=Kubota |first=Gary T. |date=August 7, 2012 |title=Haiku Stairs hike victim is identified as Don Tiki singer Fritz Hasenpusch |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2012/08/06/breaking-news/haiku-stairs-hike-victim-is-identified-as-don-tiki-singer-fritz-hasenpusch/|access-date=July 4, 2020 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US}} There have never been any serious injuries or deaths due to an accident on the stairs.{{Cite news |last=Anguiano |first=Dani |date=September 22, 2021 |title=Hawaii to remove forbidden staircase due to 'rampant trespassing' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/22/hawaii-stairway-to-heaven-trail-remove |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=The Guardian |language=en}}

There have been several other minor injuries over the years, and between 2021 and 2022, there were more injuries and rescues of hikers trying to access the top of the stairs through the hiking trail via the Moanalua ridge,{{Cite web|last=Marcus|first=Lilit|date=September 16, 2021|title=Hawaii's famous Haiku Stairs will likely be removed|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hawaii-haiku-stairs-instagram-trnd/index.html|access-date=2021-09-16|website=CNN|language=en}} which is longer and more difficult, resulting in many hikers being rescued near the Ha{{okina}}ikū Stairs{{Cite news |last=Schaefers |first=Allison |date=January 15, 2023 |title=HFD rescues lost hiker near the Stairway to Heaven trail

|language=en |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/15/breaking-news/hfd-rescues-lost-hiker-near-the-stairway-to-heaven-trail/|access-date=January 24, 2023}} and not on the stairs themselves.{{Cite news |last=Broder Van Dyke |first=Michelle |date=January 23, 2022 |title=Haiku Stairs: A look back at its history and forward into its future|language=en |work=Spectrum News |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/hi/hawaii/news/2023/01/21/haiku-stairs--a-look-back-at-its-history-and-forward-into-its-future|access-date=January 24, 2023}}

In 2014, six people were arrested and 135 were cited for climbing the stairs. The City Prosecutors Office said that criminal trespass in the second degree carries a $1000 fine.{{Cite news |last=Cruz |first=Catherine |date=March 15, 2016 |title=Crackdown on hikers at Haiku Stairs |language=en |work=KITV |url=http://www.kitv.com/story/31479406/crackdown-on-hikers-at-haiku-stairs |access-date=March 23, 2017 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324083443/http://www.kitv.com/story/31479406/crackdown-on-hikers-at-haiku-stairs |url-status=dead }}

In late August to early September 2024, fourteen people were arrested for accessing the stairs. Everyone arrested was charged with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor that can result in up to 30 days in jail. Eight of the fourteen were arrested on September 3, although it was not clear if they hiked together.{{Cite web |last=Marcus |first=Lilit |date=2024-09-09 |title='Someone is going to get hurt or killed': 14 people arrested for illegal hiking in Hawaii |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/09/travel/hikers-arrested-hawaii-haiku-stairs-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=Hawaii's%20most%20controversial%20nature%20spot,and%20abandoned%20not%20long%20after. |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=CNN |language=en}}

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{{commons category|Haiku Stairs}}

• [https://spectrumnews1.com/hi/hawaii/news/2023/01/21/haiku-stairs--a-look-back-at-its-history-and-forward-into-its-future/ Video segment on the history & future of the Haiku Stairs], Spectrum News 1

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Category:Climbing areas of the United States

Category:Landmarks in Hawaii

Category:Hiking trails in Hawaii

Category:Protected areas of Oahu

Category:Stairways in the United States

Category:1942 establishments in Hawaii