There’s a Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii You Need to See

There are many marvels that the state of Hawaii has to offer. One of them is this amazing mountain staircase. The Stairway to Heaven is a staircase in Oʻahu, Hawaii that overlooks the Haiku valley. The staircase was designed by the U.S. Military during WWII.

These Are the Famous Haiku Stairs in Hawaii

They’re also known to some as the “Staircase to Heaven” or the “Haiku Ladder.”

They Are On the Island of Oahu

The Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii runs along with the Ko’olau mountain range, and they reach an altitude of 2,800 feet!

The Official Count On this Stairway is a Whopping 3,922 Steps!

You might ask yourself why anyone in their right mind would want to take a daunting climb like that! And the only response we have for that is… Have you seen these incredible views!?

The Breathtaking Views Along This Stairway Are Absolutely Incredible!

But, there’s a big catch…

It’s Actually Illegal to Climb the Stairway!

The Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii is officially closed to the public for safety reasons. What a massive bummer!

It’s Been Around Since 1942

So, it isn’t exactly in pristine condition in some places. The U.S. Navy needed this staircase to reach the top-secret facility they were building. Since they wanted to be able to send radio signals to ships all throughout the Pacific, they needed the radio antennas for their facility to be not only very powerful but also very high. The solution was to string them across the ridges of the Haiku Valley!

The Stairway Started Off as a Basic Wooden Ladder

The wooden ladder was replaced with a wooden staircase, and, not long later, a cable car was installed. As you can imagine, once the cable car was put in, it was rare to find anyone who would prefer to make the arduous trek up the stairs rather than simply ride the cable car.

In the 1950s, the Naval Base Was Decommissioned 

Instead, the United States Coast Guard used the site as an Omega Navigation System station.

Also, in the 1950s, Many of the Wood Was Replaced With Metal

Though this made the staircase seem less rickety, by 1987 it was still closed to the public.

Of Course, There Are Plenty of No Trespassing Signs Posted

Some sources even report that guards monitor the base of the staircase.

This Doesn’t Stop Many Determined Hikers Though

Despite the obvious risks, many people somehow manage to make it onto the staircase! You can even find videos of the daring climbs online.

The City Spent $875,000 Dollars for Repairs in 2003

Though, they officially stay closed. Honolulu city and county officials are reluctant to reopen the staircase because of obvious liability concerns.

Storm Damage Has Reportedly Damaged the Staircase Beyond Use

This has been the case ever since a powerful storm shook the island over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2015. Five hikers were stranded during this storm after strong winds twisted the metal railing of the staircase. As a result, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply declared that the staircase would be either torn down or handed over to another agency.

Friends of Haiku Stairs Proposed a Plan to Save the Stairway

The nonprofit organization proposed opening it for tourism and funding maintenance through admission fees. They’ve suggested charging out-of-state visitors as much as $100 to make the climb, but insist that people would be willing to pay the price if they know that their money is going towards keeping the staircase in good condition. They have also pointed out that hikers who risk climbing the staircase illegally risk a much larger fine (up to $600!) and possible jail time if they’re caught.

About 2,000 People Each Year Attempt to Climb the Stairway Illegally!

If there’s anywhere in the world that has such tempting beauty it can turn people criminal, it’s Hawaii!

So, what do you think? Are these jaw-dropping views worth the risk? Or are these hikers out of their minds? Maybe you’ve even been on this staircase before! (We promise we won’t tell a soul!) Weigh in in the comments below!