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'Rampant trespassing': Hawaii demolishes attraction because tourists couldn’t behave

Author
Thomas Bywater,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Apr 2024, 1:48pm
'Rampant illegal trespassing': Hawaii's Hiku Steps are set to be demolished this month due to poorly behaved tourists . Photo / Darren Lawrence
'Rampant illegal trespassing': Hawaii's Hiku Steps are set to be demolished this month due to poorly behaved tourists . Photo / Darren Lawrence

'Rampant trespassing': Hawaii demolishes attraction because tourists couldn’t behave

Author
Thomas Bywater,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Apr 2024, 1:48pm

The 鈥楽tairway to Heaven鈥 on Ohau has been earmarked for demolition over the bad behaviour of some visitors. Haiku Stairs are set to be removed by the end of April according to Honolulu council, because tourists keep breaking into the off-limits site.

The Haiku stairs are听Hawaii鈥檚 best known forbidden tourist attraction. Built by the US Navy during the Second World War, they were officially closed to the public in 1987.

However their scenic location has led to hundreds selfie hunters venturing off the beaten track.

The mountain trail in Kaneohe, Oahu is made of 3922 steps and - despite the ban - has been the backdrop to countless Instagram photos and TikTok videos.

Hawaii's Hiku Steps on Oahu are set to be demolished in a $2.5m project to stop tresspassing tourists. Photo / Darren LawrenceHawaii's Hiku Steps on Oahu are set to be demolished in a $2.5m project to stop tresspassing tourists. Photo / Darren Lawrence

It was originally shut to prevent vandalism and littering, with trespassers threatened with a US$1000 ($1690) fine. But the remote location which makes it so beautiful has made it hard to enforce.

Honolulu city council member Esther Kia驶膩ina told Hawaii 九一星空无限 Now that that 鈥渄ue to rampant illegal trespassing, Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city.鈥

Despite facing a US$1000 fine, tourists have posted thousands of social media photos from the top of Hawaii's Haiku Stairs. Photo / ScreenshotDespite facing a US$1000 fine, tourists have posted thousands of social media photos from the top of Hawaii's Haiku Stairs. Photo / Screenshot

The removal of over 600 sections of stairway is set for the end of the month. The council voted unanimously to address the problem in 2021.

Rick Blangiardi said the work was 鈥渓ong overdue鈥 when he took up office and that it was a decision taken for safety and听not to spite tourists.听鈥淚 can promise you that this was not a capricious decision.鈥

The mayor spoke during a ho鈥檕maikai鈥檌 ceremony last Wednesday to mark the beginning of the removal which the council estimates will cost US$2.6m ($4.4m).

鈥淭his decision that was made was predicated upon our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the stairs, our respect for our 驶膩ina, and our respect for both the future and the past history of the culture of the Ha驶ik奴 community.鈥

with @sofmcmillan yes, she acknowledged it鈥檚 an old video, but think of the thousands more who鈥檝e done this. DON鈥橳 DO IT.

This article was originally published on the NZ Herald .

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