The “Stairway to Heaven” in Hawaii, officially known as the Ha‘ikū Stairs, is being dismantled after being closed to the public since 1987. Built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the stairway consists of nearly 4,000 steps winding through a steep mountainside more than 2,800 feet above sea level.
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“I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement.
Despite being off-limits, the trail has continued to attract thrill seekers, exacerbated by social media, according to the Honolulu City Council.
“Due to rampant illegal trespassing, Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life for nearby residents,” Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaʻāina told CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.
From January 2022 to February 2024, the Honolulu Fire Department conducted five rescues on the Ha‘ikū Stairs, KHON2 reports. Over the past 12 years, firefighters have rescued 118 people from the site.
The council has initiated a $2.5 million removal process expected to last at least six months.
