Mayor Blangiardi has announced that the removal of the controversial Haiku Stairs has begun, and I do believe this is a terrible mistake the City and County are making.
I understand the complaints of residents and homeowners whose neighborhood gets unwanted hikers and adventurers due to no open legal public access to the Stairs.
No one wants people climbing their fences or walls, trespassing on their property, or using hoses or faucets without permission.
Tourists, local folks, and strangers have no business interrupting the tranquility of one’s community. Safety and security issues are real for homeowners in the area, and that’s enough to warrant keeping the stairs closed and having them removed.
However, the Haiku Stairs is one of the best hikes in the world with a breathtaking view that is one-of-a-kind and second to none.
I haven’t been up the stairs myself, but I have seen the photos and videos that showcase majestic mountains, scenic vistas of Kailua and Kaneohe, a multi-blue ocean, and a look at Mother Nature that inspires spiritual and inspirational moments.
Unfortunately, the Haiku Stairs experience will be lost due to the Mayor’s and county’s lack of creativity and lack of desire to find a compromise opponents and supporters of the Stairs could live with.
The state of Hawaii and other landowners and stakeholders also have a voice on the matter, and it appears like there is no strong political will to keep the Haiku Stairs open for future generations to enjoy. That’s a shame.
If the City and County hired a private contractor to bring hikers up the Haiku Stairs, I believe a fee of $10-20 would be reasonable to help pay for the upkeep.
I’ve spoken with many people who would happily pay to legally climb the stairs. A monthly or annual pass could also be created for those who want to ascend this magical creation on a regular basis.
Hikers could meet at a specific location and be driven to an entry point away from the homes and neighborhoods that have been invaded by rude, ill-mannered hikers.
I also understand there is a way to access the Haiku Stairs via Moanalua Valley, and this could have been a legitimate option. It is a little longer than a hike beginning on the windward side, but any way to keep the Haiku Stairs open should have been seriously considered.
The Haiku Stairs is a gem and a treasure for Hawaii, and it will be a huge loss once the stairs are gone.
If there is something that the state and county should remove, it’s the Natatorium at the edge of Waikiki. I know the Natatorium is a memorial honoring those who fought during World War I, but its deteriorated state is an embarrassment for Hawaii.
My dad was a veteran, and my brother is a veteran, and I have the greatest respect for our military and those who served our country. But the Natatorium has been a dangerous eyesore for decades, and it seems like our elected officials don’t care about fixing the problem.
I say remove the Natatorium and pool from the beach now and reclaim the area for beachgoers. Pieces or remnants of the Natatorium should be moved inland, and a new memorial should be created close by. It would be a win-win situation, and the new coastal area will enhance the beauty and allure of our state’s number one tourist destination, Waikiki.
I don’t know what the problem or hang-ups are regarding the Natatorium, but I hope one or more of our political leaders will step up, take the stage, and help figure it out. The ugly, crumbling memorial needs to be relocated or rehabilitated, and it needs to begin as soon as possible.
Government decision-makers must make difficult decisions at times, and the elimination of one of the world’s best hikes (Haiku Stairs) is a bad decision in my opinion.
I see the action as similar to the SuperFerry debacle. The majority of the people I know supported the SuperFerry in Hawaii. Bad implementation by the Lingle administration doomed the ferry. Many people I have spoken with support the Haiku Stairs being open to the public, but it is also doomed at this time.
I do wish a miracle could happen, and the Haiku Stairs could be saved. This is highly unlikely, and Mayor Blangiardi will have to live with the fact that this popular and amazing hike was lost on his watch.
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