The Stairway to Heaven, one of Hawaii’s most beautiful hiking trails, will be demolished at the end of this month. Constructed by US Marines in World War II to provide easier access to a communications station in the Ko’olau Mountains, the wooden stairs were later replaced by steel ones. Despite being prohibited for decades, daredevils from around the world have flocked to this trail consisting of 3,922 steps.
In 1987, the Haiku Stairs were closed due to being considered too dangerous. Despite this, tourists would attempt to sneak in before dawn to avoid the guard stationed at the entrance. Many ignore the prohibition signs and continue to climb the stairs, risking a $1,000 fine. Numerous hikers share images on social media, although there have been accidents including a fatality in 2012.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has confirmed that the dismantling of the stairs was unanimously approved and work will begin this month. The closure serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting rules and regulations, even in pursuit of a thrilling experience. Despite its popularity, it was deemed too dangerous and illegal to use for decades due to numerous accidents and disregard for safety regulations.