Hawaii

Hawaii removing 'Stairway to Heaven' because of unruly trespassers

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

Hawaii removing 'Stairway to Heaven' because of unruly trespassers

One of Hawaii’s most dangerous and off-limits hikes will be permanently removed, the City and County of Honolulu announced last week.

The Ha‘ikū Stairs, referred to as the Stairway to Heaven, is made up of nearly 4,000 treacherous, steel steps across the Koolau Mountain Range on the island of Oahu.

The city said the stairs were originally built by the U.S. military during World War II but have been closed to the public — and illegal to hike — since 1987. But that hasn’t stopped adrenaline-seekers from trespassing across private property to take in the famous hike.

The city and county unanimously passed a resolution to remove the stairs in 2021, citing complaints about the regular disturbances from people who were trying to access the trail.

Residents in Haiku Valley reported hikers blocking driveways and narrow roads with their parked cars, leaving trash on private property, using homeowners’ water hoses to wash off or fill up drinking water, “relieving themselves” in the street and causing loud noises early in the morning as they set off to see the sunrise from the stairs.

The resolution said calls to Honolulu police concerning the stairs have increased over the years, and one officer was assaulted by a trespassing hiker in 2021.

Hikers have also been blamed for introducing an invasive species into the area surrounding the stairs.

In the resolution, the city council said a “managed approach” would not be effective since the stairs have become a more popular attraction thanks to social media.

The project to remove the stairs is expected to take six months and over $2 million.

Contractors will work with a biologist to protect native species, prevent erosion and re-vegetate the area as each section of the stairs is removed, the city said.

“This was a decision, when we came into office, that was long overdue. Over the course of many months, in meeting with the people involved and the discovery that we put into it, I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said during the announcement. “This decision that was made was predicated upon our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the stairs, our respect for our ʻāina, and our respect for both the future and the past history of the culture of the Haʻikū community.”

SEE MORE: Visitors seen on video destroying ancient rock formations at Lake Mead

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Hawaii

American Red Cross assisting displaced family after 2-alarm fire

Published

11 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

American Red Cross assisting displaced family after 2-alarm fire

WAIMANALO (HawaiiNewsNow) – The American Red Cross is assisting a family Thursday after a two-alarm fire was extinguished in Waimanalo.

The Honolulu Fire Department responded to Oluolu Street at about 3 a.m., staffed with 10 units and 39 personnel.

The first unit arrived at about 3:15 a.m. to find a working fire at a two-story residential building. No one was inside.

Flames and smoke were coming from the garage, said HFD. A hazmat team was dispatched to secure a 125-pound LPG tank that was exposed.

The fire was under control at 4 a.m. and fully extinguished at about 4:15 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced family.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire and damage estimates.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Water Polo enters Big West Championship as number 1 seed

Published

23 hours ago

April 9, 2026

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Hawaii Water Polo enters Big West Championship as number 1 seed

The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Water Polo Team has secured the number 1 seed in the Big West Championship Tournament.

“I think everyone understands the importance of the tournament and, what we want to do,” said Hawaii Junior Daisy Logtens.

Hawaii enters the tournament 13-5 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

UH will open up the conference tournament against 8th seed UC Santa Barbara. UH recently defeated UCSB 18-4 on March 28th in Manoa.

The 1st match for UH is set for Friday at 7:00am HT in Long Beach, California.

The winner of (1) Hawaii vs (8) UCSB will take on the winner of (4) vs (5) UC San Diego.

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Hawaii

‘Surreal’: Flood victims near UH Manoa prepare for third storm

Published

2 days ago

April 8, 2026

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‘Surreal’: Flood victims near UH Manoa prepare for third storm

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Anxiety ran high in Manoa ahead of Wednesday’s impending storm, which comes about two weeks after a second Kona low flooded 14 residential units along Koali Road.

It was not the first time the homes were swamped in recent months.

Last November, a water main break overflowed the same ground-level units near UH Manoa, causing extensive damage.

Now, as tenants clean up and repair their homes after the latest storm, they are bracing for yet another storm expected to hit Wednesday.

“It sounds like a movie, it sounds a little surreal, a little not real,” Koali Road resident Carlos Jimenez said.

Jimenez, whose home was flooded both times, recalled the recent one, which covered his home in about two feet of water, describing the deluge as “a little bit above knee high.”

The damage to Jimenez’s unit went beyond the floor, too, because of the heavy rain.

“The ceiling got water-damaged. From what I saw, it was soaking water, sagging, and it was about to collapse,” Jimenez said.

Fortunately, crews repaired his roof days before the third storm could send another round of downpours.

Outside, both of Jimenez’s vehicles sat damaged and dead.

After all that he has seen at his Koali Road home, Jimenez said he would take the new storm seriously.

“Get ready, you know, with my mother. She lives with me. She’s 87,” Jimenez said.

After witnessing the devastation in the neighborhood, Jimenez’s neighbor, Dario Aricala, whose home was spared, is not taking it for granted during this week’s wet weather.

“The last storm, we almost got flooded. We are hoping for the best that this storm is not such bad,” Aricala said.

Click here to donate to Jimenez’s GoFundMe page.

In the meantime, other residents have been staying elsewhere during cleanup and repairs, and the property manager said he has been helping them.

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