HONOLULU (KHON2) — Despite it being illegal, hundreds of people climbed the Haiku Stairs, better known as Stairway to Heaven, for a final hike before it’s gone for good.
“It’s been really nice to like, see people, cherish them and love them one last time,” said a hiker who did not want to be named. “Hundreds of people are up there… a nice celebration of what the stairs were and what they meant to people.”
For some unlucky climbers, the views came with a hefty price during Sunday’s hike.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, 40 people were given warnings, four people were cited for trespassing, and nine were given parking tickets among other traffic infractions related to those hiking the stairs.
“I figured it’s better to face the police than die going the legal way,” another anonymous hiker added. “I came up a legal way and I’m afraid for my life to go back down that way because it was a little outside my skill level and there’s a perfectly safe way to come down, the stairs, but I couldn’t because it’s trespassing.”
Homeowners near several access points to the Stairway said they’ve had enough.
“The neighbors over the years have just gotten sick and tired of it. As far as my yard, we’ve had people run through and behind, trespassing into people’s yards and then using their hoses to rinse off,” said Hokulele neighbor Larry Lawson.
According to some Hokulele residents, hikers will trespass through their property, jumping over or even cutting through fences to get to the Haiku Stairs.
Early Sunday morning, neighbors saw hikers being chased by police before getting cited.
“I’ve seen many helicopters and the fire department rush up here to try to help save people who are injured or can’t make it down the stairs. So, it’s a drain on our resources,” Lawson added.
A statement from Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s office reads the following:
The City and County of Honolulu is warning anyone who ignores posted ‘No Trespassing’ signs that the Stairway is now an active work site and should be considered extremely dangerous.
The removal of the Stairway to Heaven is set to begin at the end of April or early May.