At the end of this month, one of Hawaii’s most beautiful hiking trails will be demolished because tourists insist on taking a selfie on the forbidden ‘staircase to heaven’.
The 3,922 steps attract many daredevils from all over the world, although it has actually been prohibited to use that route for decades. The so-called Stairway to Heaven was constructed by US Marines in World War II to provide soldiers with easier access to a communications station in the Ko’olau Mountains. Afterwards, many of the wooden stairs were replaced by steel stairs.
In 1987, the Haiku Stairs were closed because the course was considered too dangerous. In the years that followed, a guard took up post at the entrance. Nevertheless, many tourists tried to sneak in before dawn, before the guard started work. To this day, sensation seekers and influencers do not pay any attention to the prohibition signs, despite the fact that they risk a fine of 1,000 dollars. Plenty of images are shared by hikers on social media, although in 2012 a man died after suffering a heart attack during a climb. Several other tourists have been injured in recent years.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi confirmed that a motion to remove the stairs was unanimously approved. The works will start this month.