Haiku Stairs

Haʻikū Stairs, January 2014

The Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven or Haʻikū Ladder, is a steep hiking trail on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii.^[1] The total 3,922 steps span along Oahu's Ko'olau mountain range.^[2]

The view from the top of the stairway overlooks Kaneohe as well as Kaneohe Bay.

Early morning view of Kaneohe from the stairs.

Beginning in 1942, contractors for the United States Navy began construction of the Haʻikū Radio Station, a top secret facility that was to be used to transmit radio signals to the Navy ships that were then operating throughout the Pacific.^[3] In order to obtain the necessary height for the antennae, the Navy stretched them across Haiku Valley, a natural amphitheater surrounded by high ridges. To accomplish this, they needed “easy” access to the top of the ridges, so they installed a wooden ladder up the mountain. The ladder was later replaced by a wooden staircase. Once the cable car was in operation, most workers preferred to ride the car to the upper hoist house rather than enduring the tedious climb up the stairs. Some remnant parts of the wooden ladder may still be seen beside the metal steps.

The radio station was commissioned in 1943. To transmit such a powerful signal, the Navy needed a transmitter of greater capability that was then possible with vacuum tube technology. They therefore decided upon an Alexanderson alternator, a huge device capable of generating powerful low-frequency radio signals, and requiring an antenna of heroic proportions.^[3]

When the Naval base was decommissioned in the 1950s, the United States Coast Guard used the site for an Omega Navigation System station. In the mid-1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by sections of metal steps and ramps — by one count, 3,922 steps. The station and trail were closed to the public in 1987. Some hikers ignore the "no trespassing" signs and continue to climb, contributing to the local community's misgivings about reopening the structure.

21st century

In 2003, the stairs were repaired, costing the city $875,000.^[4] As of early 2012, land usage rights issues have not been resolved. The City and County of Honolulu has stated that there is currently no plan to open the stairs for public use, citing liability concerns, although it has been noted that the mayor is vocally open to reopening the stairs under his circumstances. Dozens of people, however, routinely hike up the stairs every day; there's at least one video of such hikes posted online.^[5] In August 2012, Don Tiki show singer and comedian Fritz Hasenpusch died of a heart attack during his Haiku Stair climb.^[6] As of December 2016, a guard is still posted at the base of the stairs. In the two year period between 2014 and 2015, 11 hikers were arrested and 463 were cited. The City Prosecutors Office has said that criminal trespass in the second degree carries a $1000 fine. Even in simple trespass cases, the judge has the discretion to hand down fines of up to a thousand dollars.^[7] Undetered, many still hike the stairs on an almost daily basis.

Over Valentine's Day weekend 2015, a powerful storm passed over the island of Oahu which caused significant damage to a small portion of the stairway but can still be climbed to this day. ^[8]

"Haiku" does not refer to the Japanese poetry genre: The area is named "Ha'ikü" after the Kahili flower.

References

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Coordinates: 21°23′44″N 157°49′26″W / 21.3956°N 157.824°W / 21.3956; -157.824