Haiku Stairs facts for kids
The Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, is a very steep hiking trail. It is found on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii. This trail has 3,922 steps. They stretch along the Ko'olau mountain range on Oʻahu. The name "Haʻikū" comes from a flower called Kahili. It does not refer to the Japanese poetry genre.
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History of the Haʻikū Stairs
Building the Original Stairs
In 1942, the U.S. Navy began building the Haʻikū Radio Station. This was a top-secret facility. It was made to send radio signals to Navy ships. These ships were operating across the Pacific Ocean during World War II. To get the antennae high enough, the Navy stretched them across the Haʻikū Valley. This valley is a natural amphitheater. You can still see some parts of the old wooden ladder next to the metal steps.
The radio station started working in 1943. To send such strong signals, the Navy needed a very powerful transmitter. They used a huge device called an Alexanderson alternator. This machine could create powerful low-frequency radio signals. It needed a very large antenna system.
Changes and Closure
In the 1950s, the Navy base was no longer needed. The U.S. Coast Guard then used the site. They used it for an Omega Navigation System station. Around the mid-1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced. New sections of metal steps and ramps were put in. There are 3,922 steps in total.
The station and the trail were closed to the public in 1987. Even though there were "no trespassing" signs, some hikers still climbed the stairs. This made local people worried about opening the stairs again.
The Haʻikū Stairs Today
Repairs and Rules
In 2003, the stairs were repaired. This cost the city $875,000.
In 2014, some people were arrested for climbing the stairs. Others were given warnings. Going onto the stairs without permission is against the rules. The City and County of Honolulu said in early 2018 that there were no plans to open the stairs. They were concerned about safety and who would be responsible if someone got hurt.
Future of the Stairs
On April 27, 2020, the Board of Water Supply voted to give the Haʻikū Stairs to the city. The stairs were a responsibility that did not fit their work. The city plans to turn the trail into a paid attraction. This means people would pay a fee to use it. The city officially took control of the stairs on July 1, 2020.
