Climb The Haiku Stairs of Hawai’i

Deep in the Haiku Valley of Honolulu is a hiking trail that legally requires a $1 million insurance policy to climb — The Haiku Stairs. Also known as the “Stairway to Heaven” for its phenomenal panoramic views above the clouds of Puu Keahi a Kahoe, this series of 4,000 twisting steps was built during the Second World War and outlawed in the 1980s.

© Brock Roseberry | Flickr

It was, perhaps, made illegal for good reason. At points, the stairs transform into an extensive ladder, making the path nearly vertical. One wrong movement could result in a dangerous tumble down the side of a cliff. Additionally, the rusty metal hand bars are less than reliable, and there is great risk for those who make the journey. Naturally, most who climb the stairs do so without signing the insurance contract, and instead evade the security guard who protects the entrance at the base of the mountain.

To the dismay of many locals and regular visitors, this year the stairs suffered catastrophe when a great landslide befell the mountain. At many areas of the path, the stairs became mangled and dislodged. Luckily, both locals and members of the volunteer organization, Friends of The Haiku Stairs, have been making efforts to repair the damage, with the hope of making it accessible to adventures in the near future.