Various tourists have been arrested in Hawaii for illegally hiking up the Haiku Stairs, also commonly called the “stairway to heaven” or a “death trail.”
Hawaii has forbidden people from being able to access and hike up this trail. However, tourists and hikers alike have gone out of their way to try to walk this trail throughout the years.
Hawaii’s Controversial Trail
In World War II, the U.S. Navy built 4,000 metal steps up in a remote area of Kaneohe on the island of Oahu.
These steps — now called the Haiku Stairs — have become one of the most controversial areas in Hawaii, as it’s incredibly dangerous.
An Abandoned Trail
Though the U.S. Navy built these steps back in World War II, the trail was abandoned not long after its completion.
It’s incredibly difficult to even access the stairs to begin with, as hikers have to reach them through a particularly dangerous region of Kaneohe.
The Trail Is Closed to the Public
The Haiku Stairs were first closed to the public back in 1987. However, even after this official closing of the region, people have gone out of their way to try to hike up the stairs.
This has further become a tourist destination thanks to YouTubers and social media stars who have made the spot a must-see.
New Arrests
Hawaii officials have long warned that they will arrest any trespassers who think that they will try to hike up the Haiku Stairs.
Recently, officials have done exactly this. According to police, 14 people have been arrested for illegally accessing the Haiku Stairs.
14 Arrests in One Week
These 14 arrests were all made in just one week. Officials have explained that eight of these 14 arrests were made on September 3.
These hikers came prepared, as they used climbing ropes to get access to the staircase. Now, all 14 face charges of criminal trespassing, which could result in them spending up to 30 days in jail.
A Disrespectful Decision
Jason Redulla, the chief of Hawaii’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), stated that these tourists and hikers were disrespectful in their decision to hike up the Haiku Stairs.
Redulla explained, “It’s incredibly disrespectful and self-centered for anyone to be on the Haiku Stairs, or on the Middle Ridge Trail, when it’s been made abundantly clear that these areas are off-limits for safety and natural resource protection reasons.”
Some Could Get Hurt
Officials have long warned that someone could get hurt — or even killed — in their quest to reach these Haiku Stairs.
“It is dangerous for people to enter the construction zone and dangerous for them to try to descend the ridge,” Redulla reminded the public.
Difficult Rescues
Redulla also added that if someone is hurt and needs to be rescued, it can become incredibly dangerous for rescue teams to even reach them.
Redulla said, “They need to think about the consequences if someone gets hurt, or worse, and needs rescue. It is a difficult place for first responders to reach, which could delay medical treatment.”
The Local Community Is Affected by Tourists
Tourists and hikers who have fled to this local Hawaii community have negatively affected many in the region.
The community has explained that, thanks to the Haiku Stairs’ fame, they’ve had to deal with risky rescues of those who have become injured in this dangerous hike, as well as expensive security costs for the town.
Removing the Haiku Stairs
Soon enough, the Haiku Stairs may officially be gone. In 2021, the Honolulu City Council voted to remove the stairs.
However, they agreed that they would remove the stairs one section at a time. These pieces would then be successfully removed by helicopter.
Fighting Against the Removal
So far, some deconstruction of the Haiku Stairs has been done. However, Friends of the Haiku Stairs, a local group, has legally fought back against this removal, especially as its $2.5 million process is quite expensive.
Now, the deconstruction of the stairs has been halted as the Hawaii Court of Appeals has agreed to issue a temporary injunction on the project.
