Haiku Staircase: Hawaii landmark to be dismantled due to bad behavior of tourists

The scenic staircase leading to a scenic spot in Hawaii is being demolished as tourists continue to visit the closed site.

Haiku Stairs, a landmark Oahu, which is often called the “Stairway to Heaven,” will be dismantled at the end of April.

“I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement.

Problems with the staircase, which was built during World War II by the U.S. Navy and has been officially closed to the public since 1987, have multiplied in the age of social media.

The Haiku Staircase consists of 3,922 steps along a 2,800-foot mountain trail in Kaneohe on eastern Oahu.

Despite the dangerous terrain, YouTubers, TikTokers, thrill-seekers and other tourists continued to climb the stairs.

“Due to rampant trespassing, the Haiku Staircase represents a significant liability and expense for the city, as well as impacts the quality of life of nearby residents,” Honolulu City Councilwoman Esther Kia'aina told CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.

The municipality voted unanimously to remove the stairs in 2021. According to the mayor's office, the work will take at least six months and cost $2.5 million.

“This decision was made based on our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the stairs , on our respect for our aina [land and sea], and on our respect for both the future and past cultural history of the Haiku community,” added Mayor Blangiardi.

According to the publication , this decision was influenced by a number of factors. Removing the stairs "prioritizes public safety, stops trespassing on stairs and neighbors who have faced decades of disturbance and disturbance, poses a significant liability to the city, preserves the natural beauty and condition of the area, and improves the quality of life for residents surrounding the area."< /p>

Source: cnn.com