Stairway to Heaven due for earthly aid

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Windward O'ahu's notorious Stairway to Heaven is about to receive some long-awaited care.

The City and County of Honolulu has contracted Nakoa Companies Inc. to repair the badly damaged, 3,922-step stairway, once used by the Coast Guard to access communications facilities located along the Ko'olau mountain range. The $800,000 project is scheduled to begin sometime in the next two months with a completion deadline of 570 days, according to planner Terry Hildebrand.

The staircase, also known as Haiku Ladder or Haiku Stairs, was a popular hikers' destination until damage from age and vandalism forced its closure several years ago. Many hikers continue to scale the stairs illegally.

"There are several areas where steps and railings are badly damaged or missing and need to be replaced," Hildebrand said. "There are also sections near the middle and bottom that need to be re-aligned."

Extensive work will also be needed to make strengthened support structures near the upper portion of the stairs. In addition, a small portion of trail leading from a nearby construction road to the stairs will be cleared and repaired.

Before the public access to the stairs can be allowed, however, myriad access issues will need to be resolved between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the Department of Transportation, the Board of Water Supply and other state and city agencies.

Hildebrand said the goal is to consolidate a tract of land under a single administrative jurisdiction to allow for a single access trail leading to the construction road and the stairs.

The city is soliciting proposals for how to regulate access once the stairs are re-opened. Such regulation could include an access fee to pay for insurance and other costs, Hildebrand said.