
A video of illegal trespassing on the soon-to-be-demolished and famed Haiku Stairs has gone viral on TikTok with 1.5 million views. The 3,922-step trail to the 2,800-foot summit of Puu Keahiakahoe on the Windward Side of Oahu has been off-limits for decades. This follows the Honolulu City Council and the mayor’s decision for the stairs to be torn down. See the video below.
Hawaiian TikToker Camille Leihulu posted her reaction to seeing a travel vlogger trespass on the Haiku Stairs:
“I’ve never been up these stairs to see this view, and I never will because I have respect for Hawaii and my homelands,” she wrote. “Why do outsiders get to blatantly ignore laws and rules and do as they please without facing any repercussions or acknowledging the consequences that Hawaiians have to deal with as a result of their actions?”
They are known as the stairway to heaven.
The stairs have been officially closed for decades and are illegal to access, but, every year, thousands of hikers still brave the metal staircase—parts of it in poor condition—that snakes up the side of the Koolau Mountains in Kaneohe. We can personally attest to the views from the stairs being among the best in Hawaii.
The road towards demolition began years ago.
Two years before this final decision, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, which owns and manages most of the land under and surrounding the stairs, asked for public comment to help draft an environmental impact statement. The city agency proposed removing the stairs entirely and said then it would cost about $900,000 to demolish the staircase.
Right now, the board spends about $250,000 a year to pay for 24-hour security to keep hikers from accessing the stairs. The agency is also concerned about potential liability and safety concerns due to the condition of the stairs. (In some parts, the report noted, sections are neglected or in disrepair.)
Previously, the agency was open to the idea of transferring ownership of the property to another entity—public or private—to manage the land (and access to the stairs).
Watch the TikTok video below (beware of profanity) and add your reaction in the comment section.
@camilleslagle#duet with @sofmcmillan yes, she acknowledged it’s an old video, but think of the thousands more who’ve done this. DON’T DO IT. #hawaii
Its important history dates back to World War II.
Construction on the stairway, called the Haiku Ladder initially, started in 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, according to the report. Its purpose was to deliver people and materials to build and service a U.S. naval radio station at the top of the ridge. The construction of these stairs—then made of wood—was top secret, according to the report, that even the Army and other government entities were unaware of it. Eventually, the ladder was replaced with a steel module system anchored to the ground with spikes.
In 1987 the U.S. Coast Guard, which managed the stairs at the time, closed the trail to the public. And in 2002, the city spent $875,000 to repair the stairs and railings with plans to open them; those plans fell through due to complaints from the neighborhood and liability concerns. Security guards and signs have been posted at the trailhead ever since. Still, hikers continue to find ways to access the stairs, lured by the spectacular panoramic views and social media posts.
Vernon Ansdell, president of the nonprofit Friends of Haiku Stairs, had proposed an alternate solution to allow the group, which had done maintenance on the stairs for years, to manage public access and limit the number of daily hikers who climb the stairs. The group offered a detailed controlled access proposal that he says addressed the concerns raised in the report regarding access, trespassing, and safety. And it would be cost-effective, with fees covering maintenance, security, insurance, staffing, and a comprehensive educational program.
“Removing the stairs would be a tragedy of enormous proportions,” Ansdell says. “Managed access under a public-private partnership would be a very viable alternative.”
Controversial to the end.
Residents complained about hundreds of trespassers monthly who climbed fences and otherwise trespassed to gain access.
The Friends of Haiku Stairs, however, was saddened by the decision to destroy the stairs. “It’s a great example of a vocal minority who are capable of making stuff up.” — Vernon Ansdell, Friends of Haiku Stairs.
And now, since the demolition is certain, residents are concerned that there will be a further onslaught of hikers who want to access the stairs before their destruction.
How and when: demolition plan uncertain.
How the city plans to demolish Haiku stairs is not clear. The city hopes to arrive at a plan in the next few months. The cost to demolish the stairs is estimated at $1 million.
Please share what you remember about Haiku Stairs.
Updated 11/26/21.
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Ed L. says
Removing the stairs is short-sighted. I’ve been up the stairs and it is a treasure that needs to be preserved.
Every poll, report, or neighborhood action indicates the PEOPLE want the stairs to be preserved.
A vocal minority, with the help of a city councilwoman, has steamrolled their opinion over the publics.
Jerry says
Oh please Camille & Julie: both of you express the closed mindset of many local
residents.Blame everything on visitors!
I used to live Kailua;climbed Haiku many
years ago. Also Lanikai Pillbox ridge. I
was not the only resident doing hiking.
Are all the homeless & criminal people
visitors? Island residents live in a self
imposed cocoon not wanting to accept any
responsibility for negative happenings in
the state. Everyone makes mistakes, even
in middle of the Pacific Ocean.
James V says
The stairs belong too many not just a few,listen to the majority yes a solution can be found so many can enjoy the view and still respect the Hawaiian people. James V.
John says
Sounds like a pretty typical Hawaiian government solution to a non-problem: Take something that is free and popular… and make it illegal… and fine people who do it anyway–to generate more fees for the county coffers. If this were some big, corporate, artificial scheme that wrecked the environment–it would be fairly easy and common to payoff the government to not only ALLOW–but subsidize it. (Google the history of the Honolulu rail project for a prime example of this Hawaiian tradition.)
Julie M says
When the Hawaiian people and residents can not enjoy there owen Island home…who are tourists to just run a muck with no consequences or no accountability …I feel tourists who break laws or disrespect the Islands and the residents should be held financially responsible all grownups should be held accountable for there behavior and there trust passes and breaking the law
thank you all for your great information and keeping us informed
mahalo
Frank Z says
Your comment begs the question: Who gets to decide what “enjoying” one’s own island means. I’m sure there are thousands of “Hawaiian people and residents” of Oahu who have climbed these stairs in the past–and who would certainly love to climb them now–or in the future. Is that not “enjoyment”? So, why make it illegal to do something that everyone wants to do–when it does no harm to allow it? If they can spend $1,000,000 demolishing the stairs, surely they could easily repair them for less.
Kauaidoug says
I think the sooner inbound tourists have to sign an acknowledgement of paying for emergency state aid in instances of trespass the better. This tik tok illustrates how trespassers are encouraged by travel bloggers.
Matt K says
Thank you for this article. It does matter. Also, the Board of Water Supply EIS did not recommend removal. That was the proposed action prior to the EIS. The actual study found that managed access was better for the city and state and that is why the stairs were not destroyed by BWS, but instead transferred to the city (Parks) to begin managed access. What happened next is unspeakable.
Mark S says
Thank you for the update. I hope that another trail will eventually be built to allow hikers to appreciate the view.
Donna W. says
I am grateful to have been lucky enough to climb the Haiku Stairs in 1980 as part of an activity sponsored by my dorm. I was a freshmen at Mokihana Towers at UH Manoa. Marcus Oshiro (he is a state rep) was my RA at the time for Mokihana B Lounge. Was tiring but fun. My roommate from Kauai, Cheryl C., also went. Those were the good ‘ol days of great dorm excursions.
Bali Joe says
Rip it down ASAP