The Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven or Haʻikū Ladder, is a steep path on the island of Oahu ( the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands ) in the US state of Hawaii. The total of 3,922 steps cross the Koʻolau Range. In 1942, contractors on behalf of the United States Navy started building the Haʻikū radio station, a secret installation for sending radio signals to naval ships in the Pacific. To achieve the height needed for the antenna, the navy spread the transmitters over the Haiku valley, a natural amphitheater surrounded by high mountain ridges.
To make it easier to reach the transmitters on the tops of the mountain ridges, a wooden ladder was installed that ran up the mountain. The ladder was later replaced by a wooden staircase. When a cable car finally came into use, When the naval base fell out of use in the 1950s, the location was used by the United States Coast Guard for an Omega air navigation system. The wooden steps were replaced by sections with metal steps and ramps. This resulted in the current 3,922 steps to the top.
In 2003 the stairs were repaired for an amount of $ 875,000, but the Haʻikū Stairs were not reopened.On the weekend of Valentine’s Day 2015, A powerful storm passed over the island of Oahu in 2015, which caused significant damage to the ladder, which made it dangerous and unusable.
In 2003 the stairs were repaired for an amount of $ 875,000, but the Haʻikū Stairs were not reopened.On the weekend of Valentine’s Day 2015, A powerful storm passed over the island of Oahu in 2015, which caused significant damage to the ladder, which made it dangerous and unusable.
Although the famous Haʻikū Stairs – also known as Stairway to Heaven, like the title song of Led Zeppelin – have been closed to the public for more than 30 years , attract hikers from all over the world who trying to climb illegally.
a non-profit organization called Friends of Haʻikū Stairs, which has contributed to its maintenance for years by removing invasive plants and preservation projects, wants to repair the damage, establish a management system for the stairs and charge both visitors and locals to go up.
21.3956, -157.824 / Description : Distance: 3.9 km , Slope: 794 m , Type of route Round trip
There are currently major access issues with this trail. This trail is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC / Trying to reach the stairs is illegal – entering without authorization on government property.
Top : The view from the top of the stairway overlooks Kaneohe as well as Kaneohe Bay.
Go next : The Triads Boulders / Kuliouou Ridge Trail / Moanalua Valley Trail / North Shore / Pearl Harbor / Papailoa Beach
