HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu said in a news release that The Nakoa Companies, Inc. has been awarded a $2.5 million contract to remove the Haiku Stairs.

What You Need To Know

  • In 2021, the Honolulu City Council voted to remove the stairs

  • Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi supported the removal of the stairs, citing safety concerns and neighborhood complaints

  • The contract to remove the stairs was awarded to The Nakoa Companies and is worth $2,579,771
  • The Nakoa Companies is required to work with a biologist to protect native species and prevent erosion

The Haiku Stairs, also known as Stairway to Heaven, is an iconic hike that leads those who dare to climb its nearly 4,000 stairs into one of the highest peaks of the Koolau Mountains. The stairs were originally built during World War II to ascend to a radio station. In 1987, the stairs were closed. As the stairs' popularity has grown, residents living in Haiku Valley started complaining about hikers trespassing through their properties to access the illegal hike. Dozens of hikers have also needed to be rescued from the hike over the past decade. However, Friends of the Haiku Stairs, a group of volunteers, advocated for managed access to the stairs.  

In 2021, the Honolulu City Council voted to remove the stairs. Along with neighborhood complaints, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi cited safety concerns as a major reason to remove the stairs. 

“Our decision to remove Haiku Stairs was predicated on a number of factors. First and foremost, public safety; both for hikers and especially for the surrounding residential community that has endured illegal trespass, harassment, and property damage for decades from those seeking access to the stairs,” said Blangiardi in the news release. “Secondly, we do not believe the managed access plan as proposed by the Friends of Haiku Stairs is feasible, cost effective or a solution to illegal access. Third, over the last 15 years, our first responders have experienced more than 57 dangerous rescue operations, and that is simply too many times to put our first responders at risk.”

The contract is worth $2,579,771. In Fiscal Year 2023, $969,326 was appropriated for the stairs' removal. The following Fiscal Year, $1,610,445 was appropriated.

The Nakoa Companies specializes in complex infrastructure projects. The Hawaii-based company previously removed a swing, which went viral on social media, that was installed at the top of the stairs. 

The contract requires the company to take direction from a biologist in order to protect native species and to prevent erosion. Native flora will be planted when necessary. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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