It Takes 6 Months Just for Complete Demolition
Built by the US Navy for Military Purposes During World War II
The 'Haiku Stairs,' a landmark on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, often called the 'Stairway to Heaven,' is finally set to be dismantled. This is due to tourists climbing the stairs to take 'once-in-a-lifetime photos.' On the 17th (local time), CNN reported that the Honolulu city government announced it would begin the phased removal of the Haiku Stairs on Oahu Island starting at the end of this month.
Although access is prohibited, as many as 4,000 people a year visit the Haiku stairs. Voices opposing the demolition of these stairs have also continued. The photo shows a group called Friends of Haiku Stairs.
The stairs were built by the U.S. Navy during World War II for military purposes. Climbing the 3,922 steep steps along the Ko'olau mountain ridge on the east side of Oahu reveals breathtaking views of Hawaii. The Hawaii state government has not opened the stairs to the public since 1987 due to safety concerns. A fine of 1 million won was also imposed for unauthorized access. In 2012, a man died while climbing these stairs, which is why they earned the nickname 'Stairway to Heaven.' However, the number of people secretly visiting the stairs continued to increase.
Despite fatal accidents and fines, tourists could not resist the allure of the beautiful scenery and perfect photo opportunities, continuously climbing the stairs. The Hawaii state government estimates that over 4,000 tourists sneak up the stairs annually. Although a local residents' group proposed charging an official admission fee and limiting daily access, the state government decided in 2021 to completely dismantle the Haiku Stairs.
The 'Haiku Stairs,' a landmark on Oahu Island in Hawaii, known as the 'Stairway to Heaven,' is finally being dismantled. [Photo by Pixabay]
This is to protect the environment, prevent noise disturbances to locals, and avoid future safety accidents. Nearby residents have suffered due to littering and noise caused by unauthorized visitors. The complete removal is expected to take six months and cost approximately 2.5 million dollars. Rick Blangiardi, the mayor of Honolulu, stated, "For safety reasons, access to the stairs was prohibited, but thousands of tourists sneak up the Haiku Stairs every year, leading to the decision to dismantle them. This is not a sudden decision; we are just beginning the full-scale removal process now."
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