The famous Stairway to Heaven, or Haiku Stairs, in Hawaii has officially been closed. But instead of keeping folks away, the closure has sparked even more interest among thrill-seekers.
CNN reported last Wednesday (May 1) that the Stairway to Heaven was shut down last week. However, rather than discouraging people, the closure seems to have made it even more popular.
As the closing date approached, many tourists tried to find sneaky ways to get one last climb in. The stunning views from this 2,800-foot mountain have always been a big draw.
On April 23rd, five people got busted and charged with trespassing. Cops also gave out 60 warnings, issued eight tickets for second-degree trespassing, and slapped 25 parking tickets on the weekend warriors. Second-degree trespassing isn’t too serious, but it’s still against the rules.
These adventurers were trying to find backdoor routes, often crossing through private properties. And since the closure announcement, there’s been a surge in people trying to find secret guides on social media.
The increase in sneaky behavior was one of the reasons the Honolulu city council decided to get rid of the stairs back in 2021.
Earlier this month, local authorities said they’d start tearing down the stairs on April 22nd. Officials were bummed out that tourists seemed to ignore clear warnings about the demolition.
“Besides the illegal access, this is a busy work zone. There are big machines and helicopters buzzing around, which is risky for people nearby. It used to be off-limits, but now it’s a construction site,” said the Mayor of the Honolulu District PD.
Taking down the stairs involves airlifting a 700-foot section with helicopters, and it’s costing a hefty $2.5 million.
“The city government is pretty ticked off that folks ignored the warnings that demolition was happening and put workers in danger,” said the Honolulu city government.
Right now, the city council hasn’t figured out where they’ll put the stairs once they’re gone. But one local spot, Kualoa Ranch, is interested in buying and preserving them.