Author Topic: Stairway to Heaven (Read 1430 times)

Lollapalooza · « **on:** January 29, 2013, 09:57:59 AM »

Haiku Stairs

The HaÊ»ikÅ« Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven or HaÊ»ikÅ« Ladder, is a steep hiking trail on the island of OÊ»ahu.

The trail began as a wooden ladder spiked to the cliff on the south side of the HaÊ»ikÅ« Valley. It was installed in 1942 to enable antenna cables to be strung from one side of the cliffs above HaÊ»ikÅ« Valley to the other. A building to provide a continuous communication link between WahiawÄ and HaÊ»ikÅ« Valley Naval Radio Station was constructed at the peak of PuÊ»ukeahiakahoe, elevation about 2,800 feet (850 m). The antennae transmitted very low frequency radio signals from a 200,000-watt Alexanderson alternator in the center of HaÊ»ikÅ« valley. The signals could reach US Navy submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay while the submarines were submerged. Testers for RCA picked up signals on Long Island, and the signal also reached India, 6,600 miles (10,600 km) away.

When the Naval base was decommissioned in the 1950s, the United States Coast Guard used the site for an Omega Navigation System station. In the mid 1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by sections of metal steps and ramps â€” by one count, 3,922 steps. The station and trail were closed to the public in 1987. Some hikers ignore the No Trespassing signs and continue to climb, contributing to the local community's misgivings about reopening the structure.

In 2003, the stairs were repaired, costing the city $875,000. As of early 2012, land usage rights issues have not been resolved. The City and County of Honolulu has stated that there is currently no plan to open the stairs for public use, citing liability concerns.