A series of arrests at a popular Hawaiian tourist spot have prompted a stark warning from authorities.
At least 14 people were recently caught attempting to climb the Haiku Stairs on the island of Oahu, which can only be accessed via a dangerous hike through a remote region.
Travelers are now being warned not to visit the legendary destination, with hikers being told that visiting the area is “incredibly disrespectful.”
The Forbidden Destination, also known as the “Stairway to Heaven,” was built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, but construction was halted after more than 4,000 steps were completed.
“It’s incredibly disrespectful and self-centered for anyone to be on the Haiku Stairs or the Middle Ridge Trail,” said Jason Redulla, chief of the Hawaii Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE). CNN.
Travelers have been ordered to stop visiting the Haiku Stairs on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where fourteen tourists were recently arrested for visiting the banned destination.
“It has been made very clear that these areas are off-limits for reasons of security and protection of natural resources,” Redulla said.
Given the abundant dangers surrounding stairs, he believes that unless people heed the warning, “someone is going to get hurt or killed.”
DOCARE revealed that all of the people who were arrested for visiting Haiku Stairs over the past week were charged with unlawful trespassing, a misdemeanor that can result in up to 30 days in jail.
Eight of the 14 tourists were arrested on September 3, although it is not yet clear whether they were travelling together.
The legendary destination, also known as the “Stairway to Heaven,” can only be accessed via a prohibited and highly dangerous hike through a remote region.
Built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the stairs consist of 4,000 steel steps that climb a steep ridge. They were abandoned shortly after their construction.
“It is dangerous for people to enter the construction zone and try to climb down the ridge,” Redulla warned.
“They need to think about the consequences if someone gets hurt, or worse, and needs to be rescued,” he added.
Redulla also noted that the lonely ridge would be a “difficult” place for emergency services to reach.
The Haiku Stairs were officially closed to the public in 1987, but the steps remain a fixture of the local environment.
Over the past decade, influencers have drawn even more attention to this dangerous fate.
Over the past decade, influencers have drawn even more attention to the dangerous fate
Daring YouTubers and Instagrammers have posted videos of themselves climbing up and down the narrow stairs.
DOCARE told CNN that the hikers managed to access the steps with the help of climbing ropes.
For the local community, the stairs represent something of a nuisance: a landmark that has led to trespassers, increased security costs and dangerous rescues of injured hikers.
As a result, the Honolulu City Council voted to remove the steps in 2021. Since then, sections of the stairs have been gradually removed via helicopter.
