Hawaii, US | Intriguing Environs
The Ha’ikū Stairs, aptly nicknamed the Stairway to Heaven, is a steep climb on the island of Oʻahu that seems to disappear into the sky itself.
The trail got its start as a simple wooden latter attached to the cliff. It was installed during WWII to facilitate the building of giant antenna cables between the cliffs above Haʻikū Valley. These, along with a building at the peak, could transmit signals that could reach submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay, even to submarines submerged underwater.
In the 1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by metal steps and ramps; with counts numbering 3,922 steps. The trail was officially closed in 1987, but many hikers continue to ignore the “No Trespassing” signs and make the climb for the awe-inspiring view at the top.
