Windward Oahu's "Stairway to Heaven" will be open to hikers sometime in October, but an exact date for a blessing ceremony has not been chosen. ‘Stairway to Heaven’
to reopen in OctoberBy Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.com"We've been trying to discourage people from going up (Haiku Stairs)," said a staffer for Councilman Steve Holmes, a restoration proponent. "We're telling everyone, 'Hang on a couple more weeks.'"
City spokeswoman Carol Costa confirmed that an October opening date was likely but would offer no further details.
The 3,922-step stairway has been closed to the public since 1987, first because of dangerous conditions and then for city-paid repairs. Since the $875,000 restoration was completed in June, guards have blocked most hikers from making the climb. At issue was how hikers would get to the base of the stairs.
"The city's negotiations for use of Haiku Valley are likely to be prolonged, perhaps taking up to several years, because of the complicated nature of the land exchange," John Goody, president of the nonprofit Friends of Haiku Stairs, wrote in a recent e-mail to members.
"Therefore, interim access to the stairs is being negotiated through the Hope Chapel (45-815 Pookela St.), where parking, restrooms and access to the H-3 service road will be leased by the city," Goody said.
City & County of Honolulu
Friends of Haiku Stairs
