Save Historic Haʻikū Stairs
Tax deductible
Aloha, we are the Friends of Haʻikū Stairs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group that was formed in 1987 and whose mission is to protect the historic Haʻikū Stairs (aka the Stairway to Heaven) and its environment for current and future generations.
The Haʻikū Stairs were built in 1942 as part of a groundbreaking Navy communications endeavor that amplified radio signals using the steep topography of the surrounding valley. Our all-volunteer organization maintained them from the late 80s until recently and we keep liability insurance to resume such work that includes tightening bolts, removing invasive species, and mitigating run-off.
However, in 2022, as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of this iconic World War II structure, the future of the Haʻikū Stairs is in jeopardy. In late 2021, despite thousands of pieces of testimony (92% of which opposed removal), the City and County of Honolulu approved a $1m budget to remove the Haʻikū Stairs. The Council’s removal vote was based on the idea that the Stairs are both dangerous and a liability. But in the 80-year history of the Haʻikū Stairs there have been 0 deaths, 0 serious injuries, and nobody has ever made a liability claim on the City & County of Honolulu related to the Stairs. Not only does the Council’s $1 million removal budget vastly underestimate the true costs of removal, but attempting to remove a historically protected structure in an environmentally sensitive, critical conservation habitat is a liability on multiple fronts.
We need your help right NOW to fund our fight to save this irreplaceable structure. Funds will be used to prove that the Haʻikū Stairs should stay in place for their historic, recreational, cultural, and educational value, and that destroying them would be a disaster. Should Mayor Blangiardi allow us to return to maintenance access of the Haʻikū Stairs, funds will then be used for repairs using our team of highly-trained and experienced volunteers.
If we succeed, hikers will benefit with access to the magnificent upper reaches of the Koʻolau Mountains, students will benefit with access to otherwise inaccessible ecological zones, the neighborhood will benefit from hikers finally have legal and non-intrusive access to the Haʻikū Stairs, and all of Hawaiʻi will benefit with the preservation of an historic treasure and a boost to the economy as well.
Please help, this is our last chance; if we fail the Stairs will be gone forever.
It’s now or never for the Haʻikū Stairs!
The Haʻikū Stairs were built in 1942 as part of a groundbreaking Navy communications endeavor that amplified radio signals using the steep topography of the surrounding valley. Our all-volunteer organization maintained them from the late 80s until recently and we keep liability insurance to resume such work that includes tightening bolts, removing invasive species, and mitigating run-off.
However, in 2022, as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of this iconic World War II structure, the future of the Haʻikū Stairs is in jeopardy. In late 2021, despite thousands of pieces of testimony (92% of which opposed removal), the City and County of Honolulu approved a $1m budget to remove the Haʻikū Stairs. The Council’s removal vote was based on the idea that the Stairs are both dangerous and a liability. But in the 80-year history of the Haʻikū Stairs there have been 0 deaths, 0 serious injuries, and nobody has ever made a liability claim on the City & County of Honolulu related to the Stairs. Not only does the Council’s $1 million removal budget vastly underestimate the true costs of removal, but attempting to remove a historically protected structure in an environmentally sensitive, critical conservation habitat is a liability on multiple fronts.
We need your help right NOW to fund our fight to save this irreplaceable structure. Funds will be used to prove that the Haʻikū Stairs should stay in place for their historic, recreational, cultural, and educational value, and that destroying them would be a disaster. Should Mayor Blangiardi allow us to return to maintenance access of the Haʻikū Stairs, funds will then be used for repairs using our team of highly-trained and experienced volunteers.
If we succeed, hikers will benefit with access to the magnificent upper reaches of the Koʻolau Mountains, students will benefit with access to otherwise inaccessible ecological zones, the neighborhood will benefit from hikers finally have legal and non-intrusive access to the Haʻikū Stairs, and all of Hawaiʻi will benefit with the preservation of an historic treasure and a boost to the economy as well.
Please help, this is our last chance; if we fail the Stairs will be gone forever.
It’s now or never for the Haʻikū Stairs!
Organizer
Friends of Haʻikū Stairs
Organizer
Kaneohe, HI
Friends of Haiku Stairs
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
