To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing to express my unequivocal support for preserving, maintaining, and providing official legal access to the Haiku Stairs, and I ask for your support and leadership to help facilitate an arrangement that will accomplish these goals. I can see no legitimate reason why the state would not be able to protect and maintain the stairs using a managed access model similar to the one used to protect and maintain Hanauma Bay while facilitating controlled access for the general public.

Hiking Stairway to Heaven, May, 2001

I first climbed the stairs in 2000 as an undergraduate student when they were easily accessible and the signage seemed less intentionally prohibitory and more a dissolution of liability on the part of the state. If I remember correctly, the “no trespassing” signs were accompanied by equally official signs suggesting that hikers should be courteous to other hikers, carry out their own trash, and use caution when hiking, etc. As a conscientious hiker, I hiked the stairs under the common assumption that it was perfectly acceptable as long as I recognized I was doing it at my own risk.

I have paid entrance fees and explored the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Machu Picchu in Peru, walked on the Great Wall of China, stood in the Roman Coliseum, backpacked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim, and climbed mountains in Grand Teton National Park. My experiences climbing Stairway to Heaven were equally amazing, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring and are among the most unique and fulfilling experiences of my life. I would certainly pay a fee (and sign a release of liability) to be able to climb the Haiku Stairs again.

It deeply saddens me that something as significant, amazing, historical, and unique as the Haiku Stairs would even be considered for permanent closure or demolition. I am also saddened that the current hostile climate surrounding the stairs makes it impossible for me to currently enjoy this unique wonder of the world. When I moved back to Oahu in 2013 I wanted to climb the stairs. I heard there were security guards stationed at the entrance, but I had also heard that security guards often told people, “I can’t let you climb, but maybe next time I’ll see you on your way down.” I decided it would be helpful to talk to a security guard on duty to gauge the feasibility of attempting another climb. When I spoke with the guard I was very upset by the scare tactics she used to try to dissuade me from my desires to climb the stairs. She incorrectly asserted that the stairs were completely unsafe. I climbed the stairs multiple times in 2000-2001 safely and without incident before the missing section was restored, and I am confident the renovations and repairs made the stairs safer. Similar repairs to the section damaged in the recent landslide would also ensure the safety of the hike. I strongly believe the Haiku Stairs are much safer than some of the legal hikes on the island (some of which I have hiked) where multiple fatalities have occurred.

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It was unfair of the state to repair the stairs without providing a legal way to access them, and it is unfair for landowners to continue to block the state from providing legal and safe access to the stairs now (especially since much of the land in question is currently owned by state-funded and state-run agencies). I firmly believe that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached. If people are able to park vehicles closer to the stairs and hike during the day instead of at 2 or 3 AM (which has seemed to be the norm of those who have recently successfully climbed the stairs) many of the complaints that private landowners have about vandalism, noise, and trespassing would almost completely disappear. I also believe it has been shortsighted and completely inappropriate for many people to publicly characterize all people who hike the stairs as vandals and disturbers of the peace. This misguided mischaracterization of hikers in general is fueling some people’s desires to remove the stairs altogether. I liken these mischaracterizations, however, to calling all Muslims terrorists, which is equally inappropriate. I believe that most people hike the stairs because it is a unique, amazing, and sometimes spiritual experience (not to destroy or vandalize property) and they would hike it in broad daylight (the way people used to hike the stairs) if given the opportunity.

I strongly believe that many people (myself included) would pay for the privilege to experience Stairway to Heaven. Even though it is currently prohibited, it is still touted as one of the most unique “must see” attractions in the world. Instead of being the current headache for everyone involved, this hike could be the jewel of Oahu that anyone who has hiked it already knows it is. Managing the Haiku Stairs in a way similar to Hanauma Bay could potentially generate enough revenue for the attraction to more than pay for itself, while better ensuring the safety of hikers, and the well-being of the individuals, landowners, and stakeholders in the surrounding areas. We have an opportunity to make good public use of the significant public investment in the Haiku Stairs, all while solving a problem that has caused significant concern in our community. Please do all that you can and exert all of your influence to pursue a managed access program for the stairs so that future generations can enjoy and be inspired by this unique wonder of our island.

Sincerely,

Brian E. Kinghorn, PhD

Assistant Professor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundations
Marshall University

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