Honolulu City Council votes unanimously to remove Stairway to Heaven

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Hawaii’s famous Haiku Stairs aka the Stairway to Heaven, are likely to be removed next year following a Honolulu City Council meeting.

The stairs with 3,922 steps wind through a 2,800 foot mountain trail in Kaneohe, on the eastern side of Oahu.

The US Navy built the stairs in the 1940s.

The stairs reach a dramatic apex through the clouds and many locals consider the view to be the best in all of Hawaii.

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, said councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina.

On September 8, the Honolulu City Council voted unanimously in favor of removing the staircase for good.

Councilmember Brandon Elefante said that the city has already spent nearly $1 million to remodel the stairs and hundreds of thousands of dollars in security costs.

Fundamentally, it is inappropriate to have a high-use tourist attraction entering through this residential neighbourhood, which lacks the capacity to provide appropriate facilities or parking.

Currently, there is a maximum $1,000 fine for people caught trespassing at the Haiku Stairs.

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