The Piece Of Heaven In Hawai – The Haiku Stairs, or what are also commonly known as Stairway to Heaven or Haiku Ladder, is an almost vertical path located on the well-known island of O’ahu, Hawaii. It consists of almost four thousand steps (3,922 to be exact) that stretches along the mountains of the Ko’olau range.
This very popular tourist attraction has been on the bucket list of many adventurers, especially since 1987. At that time, it was closed to public access for good due to safety concerns and the potential for damage during the storms In fact, until 1980, security guards had already been assigned to patrol the area near the road under the runway. This was not only to ensure their safety, but mainly to prevent people from climbing too.
The Piece Of Heaven In Hawai
Despite the bans put in place in the 1980s, many avid hikers continue to climb the Haiku Ladder. This was not only for the once-in-a-lifetime experience it offered, but for the breathtaking view it offered to anyone willing to take a little more risk than usual. The narrow and steep trail had always been treacherous and not for the faint of heart, but after the February 2015 storm, it became completely unsafe and more precarious than ever. This may be part of the attraction of the staircase, with the famous slogan “One of America’s Best Illegal Views” making the heart of any adventurous hiker skip a beat.
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Amazingly stunning in its own right with its 2,120-foot-long path and spectacular panoramic views, now more than ever The Haiku Staircase is even more attractive to walk after the formal closure of the local officials forever. Originally, it was built to allow access to the LORAN radio antenna by the US Coast Guard. However, when the military operations were closed, the stairs became dilapidated and even more dangerous. In 2003, repairs were completed on the staircase, although open access was not yet granted to the public. Parking is also limited, and not entirely welcomed by residents. This is especially the case since illegal visitors have taken to occupying the spaces intended for the locals themselves.
The Haiku Stairs are in the Koʻolau mountain range, and all its tropical vegetation and animal life. In Oahu, visitors can see a wide range of tropical flora and fauna, whether in the sea, on the beach, or in the mountains. The Koʻolau range is listed as a National Natural Landmark, as the mountains are exemplary of the natural wonders of the shield volcano mountains.
It is important now more than ever for hikers considering illegally climbing the Haiku Stairs to understand that they will be doing so on a piece of prohibited property. Expect Honolulu Police Officers to turn you right down the runway, and don’t assume the locals will give you a warm welcome because, chances are, they won’t. If all the warnings and news that inform how dangerous the route is are not enough to stir the adventurous spirit in you, then by all means climb the route, but do so at your own risk. Also, like any place you visit anywhere in the world, you have the courtesy to leave the place exactly as you found it. The Hawaii “Stairway To Heaven” excursion is epic, dangerous and illegal. Still interested? This trail in Oahu, also known as the Haiku Stairway, takes you to the top of the Ko’olau Mountains through 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom.
In some places, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason – it’s one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth!
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I first discovered Oahu’s “Stairway To Heaven” hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. Not only are the views out of this world, but the whole experience is just beyond amazing and unique.
I’ve done the Hawaii ‘Haiku Stairs’ hike many times, and even after traveling to many countries, it’s still probably my favorite trek in the world. It can never be surpassed!
This blog post will explain some of the details and history of the Hawaii ‘Stairway To Heaven’ hike, and then I’ll discuss some of the politics behind the stairs and plans for their future.
Oahu’s “Stairway To Heaven” was built by the US Navy in 1942, with a radio station and giant antenna on top of the mountain that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific during World War II.
Heaven And Hell, Kalaupapa, Hawaii
Hawaii’s “Haiku Stairs” trail was officially closed in the 1980s, and has been slightly damaged (and repaired) in the years since.
The stairs are used by thousands of people every year, but the status of the road is still in limbo because the state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and cannot decide what to do with the stairs.
A non-profit group called Friends of Haiku Stairs has drawn up some good plans to keep the stairs and reopen them with managed access, hiker fees, assumed liability, and minimal disruption to the local neighborhood.
If handled properly, this solution could solve many of the problems associated with the Stairway To Heaven. Check out their website and consider donating if you’re a fan.
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Drone shot of the mountain. If you look closely, you can see the winding staircase. Relax, it’s not as scary as it seems here.
Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since they are closed to the public. Liability is the main reason they are closed.
The government in Oahu has a habit of closing any walk that it considers slightly risky, because it could attract lawsuits. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples.
It all goes back to a history of lawsuits by people who injured themselves while hiking on Oahu and then stateside. You can read about it in this SFGate article. Many of the best tours in Oahu have been closed in advance to avoid more of these unfair trials.
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Personally, I think hikers should decide for themselves what kind of risks they are comfortable with, but bear the responsibility themselves if they have an accident. Don’t sue the state. Make the risks known to people, but do not close all paths.
That’s how it works everywhere, and that’s why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the continental United States after all these years. Even the Kalalau Trail is open in Kauai despite being much more dangerous than the Stairway To Heaven.
However, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given to people caught climbing the ladder. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called.
There is the potential for a criminal charge of second-degree trespassing (a misdemeanor record), which could be a big problem for some people who have security clearances, sensitive jobs, professional licenses, immigration applications, etc.
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Finally, you can also be billed for emergency services if you are injured in some way and need to be rescued while doing this hike. That wouldn’t be cheap.
Both times I made the walk, the security guard yelled at us from a distance, but he didn’t seem to chase us or call the police. We hit the steps and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out.
The steps start in the Haiku Valley, under the H3 highway (John A. Burns Freeway) and extend to the side of a mountain near Kaneohe, called Puʻukeahiakahoe.
However, the entire Haiku Valley is surrounded by a residential area with fences, yappy dogs, and a security guard, with only a few possible entrances.
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One of the main challenges of climbing the Hawaii Stairway To Heaven trail is just finding where it starts.
Speaking of which, please be respectful of the local neighborhood and don’t make noise or litter, and definitely don’t jump fences or enter anyone’s yard.
I won’t share the exact location and directions for the stairs here publicly, but I understand that there are at least three different main ways to get to the stairs from the neighborhood below, and I’ve used two of them in the past.
There is also a legal way to get to the top of the mountain by climbing it from the back via the Moanalua Valley trail, which I will explain in more detail later in this guide.
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The hike in Hawaii “Haiku Stairs” is steep and tiring, but the hardest part is the first 1/3 of the stairs leading to platform one. After reaching the first platform, the hike flattens out a bit and things become much easier.
At this point, it becomes a ridge path as it continues to climb gradually to the radio tower, and even on a cloudy day the views are spectacular. You can see the windward side of Oahu
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