HAWAII SET TO REMOVE MAJOR ATTRACTION AFTER TOURISTS DEFY BAN

Famous for its glorious beaches and mighty volcanoes, Hawaii welcomes approximately 6 million tourists each year.

One attraction that has previously been visited by up to 20,000 people annually, however, is set to be removed, after tourists have continued to defy a previous ban.

Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, the Honolulu government has confirmed that it’ll be removing the Haiku Stairs at the end of April.

Despite the fact that the stairs have been closed to the public since 1987 due to their steepness, thrill-seekers have continued to seek them out, ignoring multiple ‘no trespassing’ signs in favour of the views.

The stairs were built by the US Navy in 1942 after it began building the Haʻikū Radio Station, a top-secret facility that was used to send radio signals to passing navy ships. To reach the heights to build the antennae, they built the steps across the valley, creating the famous stairway.

Since the closure of the stairs, officials have struggled to maintain the ban. In 2014, six people were arrested and 135 cited, while in August 2012, comedian Fritz Hasenpusch died of a heart attack after he tried to climb the 3,922 steps atop the 2,800 foot mountain.

Just last week, a further five were arrested and charged with trespassing, and police gave out 60 extra warnings to hikers.

Over the years, hikers haven’t just attempted to access the viewpoint via the stairs; they’ve also tried via the Moanalua Ridge, which is a much longer, more difficult terrain to navigate. As such, many have needed to be rescued by local authorities.

‘Due to rampant illegal trespassing, Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life for nearby residents,’ Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaʻāina told Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Blangiardi added that ‘this decision that was made was predicated upon our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the stairs, our respect for our ʻāina [land and sea], and our respect for both the future and the past history of the culture of the Haʻikū community.’

The local council had previously voted to remove the stairs in 2021, and now that it’s actioning the move, it could take at least six months at a cost of $2.5 million.

Importantly, the decision to remove the stairs ‘prioritises public safety, seeks to stop illegal trespassing on the stairs and nearby neighbors who have dealt with decades of disruptions and disturbances, addresses significant liability for the city, preserves the natural beauty and condition of the area and improves the quality of life for neighbourhood residents in the area,’ the council added.

This isn’t the only example of overtourism that has forced authorities to take action. In Japan, a spot in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, outside a Lawson convenience store, has become an immensely popular photo op for snapping a particular shot of Mount Fuji behind it.

Although Japan’s highest mountain can be pictured from many spots around Fujikawaguchiko, this particular point of view entices visitors because of the juxtaposition. While there are approximately 14,000 Lawson stores in the country, only one has the sacred, 3,776-metre active volcano in the background. 

But now, this particular view is set to change. A mesh net measuring 2.5 metres (8ft) and spanning 20 metres – about the length of a cricket pitch – will begin construction as early as next week. 

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2024-04-29T11:08:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd