The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously to remove its famed Haiku Stairs, one of the most popular - though illegal - hikes in the Aloha State.
The City Council said it voted to dismantle the landmark, commonly known as the "Stairway to Heaven," in order to "to stop trespassing, reduce disturbances to local neighborhoods, increase public safety, remove potential liability to the city, and protect the environment."
The resolution is non-binding, meaning it does not mandate the city remove the stairs. Honolulu allocated $1 million for the stairs’ removal earlier this year and the final decision still rests with the mayor to approve the funds.
The dangerously steep, 3,922 step long staircase was originally built during World War II as part of a secret radio operation to transmit signals to ships in the Pacific Fleet.
The steps have been closed to the public since 1987, and violators are subject to a $1000 fine.
However, the trail’s picturesque views from the Ko'olau Mountains have made them an attractive location for Instagram pictures and thrill seekers.
Over the years, residents in the city’s Haiku neighborhood have frequently complained about the amount of trespassers and littering.
On the other hand, advocates for the stairway have called for a managed plan of the site instead of its full deconstruction.
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