56 fines issued and 7 thrill seekers arrested who still want to climb the banned iconic ‘stairway to heaven’ in Honolulu

56 fines issued and 7 thrill seekers arrested who still want to climb the banned iconic ‘stairway to heaven’ in Honolulu | Abroad

Two weeks ago, Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, announced that the iconic ‘stairway to heaven’ would be demolished. The popular but dangerous climb on the island of Oahu caused enormous inconvenience. But thrill seekers still flock there en masse to tackle the almost 4,000 steps. Seven of those thrill seekers were arrested, 56 others were fined.

The figures come from the Honolulu police, who recently issued a warning to sixty people. Anyone who enters a prohibited area commits a minor offense from a legal perspective and must appear in court.

In fact, the so-called Haiku stairs have been off-limits since 1987. But that has never stopped tourists, tiktokers and YouTubers from flouting the ban en masse. For the reward of a mighty view of Oahu, they walked through residential neighborhoods and private property. All too often, rescue operations had to be set up for people who got into trouble during the dangerous and not to be underestimated climb.

The authorities had had enough and announced on April 10 that the Haiku Stairs would be demolished. But that worked like a red rag to a bull: according to local residents, there have been more applicants than ever before. On Monday it was called for “not to be selfish” and to take into account “the environment and the workers”, who, like the adventurers themselves, are also at risk.

Currently, workers are preparing to remove the stairs. The first section of stairs will be flown off the mountain in the coming weeks.