The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced the “Backside to Stairway” will be closed while the removal of Haiku Stairs is ongoing. 

What You Need To Know

  • The closure comes after an increased number of people started hiking the trail following the announcement in early April that City crews were preparing to remove Haiku Stairs

  • Backside to Stairway, also referred to as the Middle Ridge, is an alternative route to access Haiku Stairs

  • DLNR said Middle Ridge will be closed for 90 days or longer

  • The state agency emphasized the ridgeline part of the Backside to Stairway is an unofficial, unmaintained trail that is dangerous and eroding with the increase of hikers

The closure comes after an increased number of people started hiking the trail following the City and County of Honolulu's announcement in early April that crews were preparing to remove the iconic Haiku Stairs, also known as Stairway to Heaven, from the Koolau Mountains. 

Backside to Stairway, also referred to as the Middle Ridge, is a portion of the Moanalua section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve and an alternative route to access Haiku Stairs. 

Honolulu Police Department officers stationed at the bottom of Haiku Stairs on the windward side of the Koolau Mountains have been citing and arresting people attempting to access the closed hike. As a result, people are using the Backside to Stairway to access the summit from the leeward side of the Koolau Mountains, and from there they can descend the Haiku Stairs. 

DLNR said Middle Ridge will be closed for 90 days or longer. The area being closed includes the reserve bounded by the Kulanaahane Trail to the north, the Kamananui Valley Road and an unofficial trail known as Waolani to the south, and the Koolau summit ridgeline to the east. The Kulanaahane Trail and Kamananui Valley Road will remain open. 

“The closure, authorized by DLNR Chair Dawn Chang, is necessary for protection of biological resources; public health, safety and welfare; protection of property; and for management activities,” said DLNR in a news release. 

DLNR emphasized the ridgeline part of the Backside to Stairway is an unofficial, unmaintained trail that is dangerous and eroding with the increase of hikers. They also said they are concerned about ecological damage to the native forest. 

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

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