Nine months after the city abruptly closed the Koko Crater tramway trail, then quickly reopened it after a public outcry, no final decision has made on what to do with the popular hike.

In September, an ad-hoc committee set up in the wake of the brief closure recommended the city keep the hike open and said liability concerns and other issues could be resolved with more signage and education on the trail's hazards and better maintenance.

The city is concerned about the hike being so close to a shooting range. There are also worries about the safety of the deteriorated trail.

Les Chang, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, said the ad-hoc committee's suggestions are being reviewed and the next step is to talk with the group's members on how the city plans to proceed with the trail. There is no date set for that meeting, though.

And it's unclear when a final decision will be made.

"I want to get this thing moving forward," Chang said, adding that he doesn't want to rush a decision either.

For now, Chang added, the trail situation is "pretty much status quo."

But residents and trail users are finding the wait frustrating.

Hundreds of people rallied to keep the trail open, and many are now confused that the city hasn't announced one way or the other what they want to do with the hike.

"The public shouldn't be penalized because the city and county can't get their act together," said David Tanabe, who is on the ad-hoc committee.

Tanabe said the hike is a jewel in the community that needs to be saved.

"Folks have a spiritual connection" with it, he said.

The trail butts up against Koko Head Shooting Complex property, and echoes of gunshots can be heard as hikers ascend and descend the stairs. There has never been a reported incident involving someone on the hike getting injured or nearly hit by stray gunfire. But officials say that that doesn't mean the city shouldn't take steps to prevent an incident.

On Feb. 15, city crews erected "Keep Out" signs at the base of the Koko Crater trail, warning hikers not to enter. The signs were removed later that same day after a public protest. Chang has said the signs were posted prematurely, and pledged to get community input before making a decision on the trail.

The hike, also known as Koko Crater stairs, follows an abandoned World War II-era railroad track straight up the side of Koko Crater. At the top, hikers are treated to a panoramic view and some high gusts to cool them down.

The crater summit is at 1,208 feet.

Hundreds of people scale the trail every week. And that number has ballooned in recent months, since many are worried the trail will be closed.

On a recent weekday around noon, about a dozen people — and one very hot dog — were hiking the trail. Ryan Teramoto, 36, made it to the summit and back in about 30 minutes after making a bet with his friend that he could.

Teramoto said he likes the trail because it's different.

And he said that the nearby shooting range poses no threat that he can see.

"I think you'd have to deliberately aim up there," he said.

Spencer Tiet, 25, of Kaua'i, also wasn't concerned with the gunfire.

He has hiked the trail twice, and said it's a great workout.

And, he added, at the top of the trail "it was a great, awesome view."