Ha'iku Stairs deal reached
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Oahu Writer
KANE'OHE — The city has reached agreement concerning a land swap with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that could result in the opening of the popular Ha'iku Stairs by the end of the year, city Managing Director Ben Lee said.
The stairs have been off-limits to the public since they were declared unsafe in 1987.
Several projected opening dates have come and gone since repairs to the stairs were completed nearly two years ago, and a few requirements have to be met before the agreement is finalized, but Lee is optimistic.
He said the city is highly motivated to complete the exchange, which would provide opportunities for DHHL to build homes in 'Ewa Village and for the city to have a public access to the popular hiking trail.
"We are still hoping to have right of entry from DHHL so some improvements can be made at the parking area and have the stairs open by the end of the year," he said.
Efforts are already under way to address neighbors' concerns about parking and access, he said.
"Draft rules and regs are being developed by Department of Parks and Recreation to requireÊsome type of permit process to regulate the number of people on the stairs, security and hours of operation each day," Lee said.
But before the agreement is finalized more has to be done, including due diligence, preparing the 'Ewa Mill site for DHHL, obtaining permits, setting up an operator for the stairs and getting security for parking, Lee said.
The "Stairway to Heaven" was renovated in 2002 for $875,000 but has remained closed due to access and trespassing issues that created tension between stairway neighbors and illegal hikers.
The 3,922-step metal stairway climbs the Ko'olau Range to the summit of Pu'u Keahiakahoe, which overlooks the valley and Kane'ohe.
After the renovation, hundreds of hikers would arrive in the neighborhoods each week, taking all the parking, cutting through property, dropping their litter and harassing neighbors, until the city finally stationed police officers at the base of the stairs to stop hikers. Security guards are still posted at the bottom of the stairs to turn away hikers.
Since completion of the project, the city has been negotiating with various landowners in the valley to gain access and provide parking. But one by one, all other options were eliminated, including an original request by the city for a right of entry across DHHL-owned property.
Last year the city proposed a land swap that was attractive to DHHL, which develops housing for Native Hawaiians. The Ha'iku Valley property is unsuitable for home building, requiring costly infrastructure, the DHHL had said.
The city will swap about 52 acres of 'Ewa property — some of which borders the 'Ewa Villages Golf Course — for approximately 59 acres in Ha'iku Valley that is owned by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said Lloyd Yonenaka, DHHL spokesman. DHHL has about 147 acres in the valley.
"It's not equal in terms of acres but it's equal in terms of value," Yonenaka said. He didn't know when the contract would be available but said the city has been working on it for several months.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
