If the "Stairway To Heaven", a 4000-stair adventure accompanied by mesmerizing vistas of clouds, terrains, and sunrises, sunsets is on your bucket list, you would have come across "Haiku Stairs" in Hawaii on Instagram.
Social media has the enormous power to raise the unknown to popularity quite swiftly. And this turned significantly true for "Stairway To Heaven'', also known as Haiku Ladder in Oahu's Ko'olau mountain range. Leading to the summit of Puʻukeahiakahoe at 2480 feet, these long steps seem to be winding towards the mountain range and at times, above the clouds.
History of Haiku Stairs
This 3922 steps ascent of "Stairway To Heaven'' was built during World War II. It was constructed for the Navy to have access to a secret military radio tower at the peak of this mountain range. This valley was chosen specifically because of its topography and due to its cliffs reconciling together as an amphitheater.
Back then, it allowed the US to send and receive radio signals to ships in the Pacific Ocean. To receive the appropriate signal and set the necessary height for the antenna, the tower was stretched across Haiku valley.
Later, in 1987, the tower was officially restricted to visitors due to vandalism concerns. In 2002, Honolulu spent $875,000 to fix the damaged section of the stairs.
The wooden steps were later replaced by steel steps and the pathway has been used as a hiking trail since then. It's illegal to climb these stairs and a fine of $1000 is levied for trespassing them. Albeit this, the hikers still pursue the trail.
How To Reach Haiku Stairs?
There are two ways to reach Haiku Stairs: Legal and Illegal. The difference between both is that the former is more time-consuming than the latter. The illegal way of climbing it can land one with a fine of $1000.
The legal way starts with Moanalua Valley Trail and it takes 4-8 hours to complete the whole hike. The distance is 11 miles from the parking lot and the difficulty level is moderate.
It starts with the flat ground for 3 hours and slowly transitions to paths where the grass has been overgrowing your height as well.
Following Signs on trees are very crucial to not wander aimlessly. You will be heading towards the magical forest and then the ridgeline. Ridgeline is where the scariest parts of the trail are unleashed. These are the steep parts with access only to mud, sand, and rope. Strong Winds can be a deterring factor while climbing the ridgeline. Finally, you will view the radio station from far and it's the start of Haiku Stairs.
September is the best month to hike as it's relatively dry compared to winter. It's expected to rain more during winter and the Moanalua stream to be flooded. In Spring, it's dry although relatively humid.
Will Haiku Stairs Be Gone Forever?
The City Mayor of Honolulu has declared to remove the stairs forever as they have been beleaguered by numerous issues such as trespassing, personal injuries, invasive species, and the safety of the public. The government doesn't wish to incur more costs as a liability and ongoing cost for its security. It pays $167,000 a year in wages to security guards to prevent the hikers. Also, the residents complain of trespassing, cars parked on streets, foot traffic vandalizing their property. In 2016, a swing was illegally installed at the height of 2820 feet up a steep mountain trail which beckoned life-endangering consequences.
Currently, the government has issued $1 million to remodel the staircase and replace it with a cultural and recreational area. Although, many community groups are hell-bent to preserve the area and have been protesting for the same. As the protestors are rooting for managing safe public access and trespassing at no cost, the City Manager brings forth an array of issues which starts from basic facilities like unavailability of parking.
Incidents At Haiku Stairs
In 2015, an 18-year-old lad, Daylenn Moke Pua disappeared mysteriously after he went hiking up Haiku Stairs. While he posted a picture on social media, a mysterious man intrigued everyone. The speculations are still murky about the identity of that man and are speculated for his disappearance. To date, no evidence of his death or living has been found.
Also, the singer and comedian, Fritz Hasenpusch had a heart attack while climbing the stairs in 2012. Although, the unprecedented accident can be attributed to his precarious physical health instead of danger enveloping him around stairs.
Many fatal accidents have taken place primarily due to flouting of warning signs instead of staying on trails. Also, Hawaiian forests are quite dense and their thick growth can veil the perilous steep drop-offs. Weather conditions should be seriously considered before starting the trek or else it can lead to accidents too. The wide variety of ecosystems over here leads to coastal dunes, alpine deserts, shrublands, rainforests, and thus one's judgment about their level of fitness and abilities should be taken into consideration to gauge the safety of the trail.