About This Resource
The Haiku Stairs, also known as the 'Stairway to Heaven', are a steep hiking trail consisting of 3,922 steps on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Built in 1942 by the US Navy to access a secret radio station, the stairs climb nearly 2,000 feet up the Ko'olau mountain range. The trail offers spectacular views but has been officially closed to the public since 1987 due to safety and liability concerns. Despite this, thousands of hikers illegally climbed the stairs each year, creating controversy with neighbors and authorities. In 2021, Honolulu voted to remove the stairs, though the decision remains contentious among hiking enthusiasts and preservationists.
