Haiku - 'Stairway to Heaven' in Hawaii

At an altitude exceeding 800 meters, the winding Haiku staircase in Hawaii twists and turns, appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds, giving travelers a sensation akin to wandering into a fairyland.

Haiku - 'Stairway to Heaven' in Hawaii

The Haiku staircase is a lengthy hiking trail situated on Oahu Island, Hawaii (USA). It resembles a giant staircase attached to the southern slope of the Koolau mountain range, stretching from Haiku Valley to the summit of Koolaus. At an altitude of over 800 meters, the twisting staircase intermittently reveals itself within the clouds, guiding travelers to admire the majestic and picturesque natural scenery reminiscent of a fairyland. This location is famously known as the 'stairway to heaven' on the beautiful Oahu Island.

Initially opened in 1943, the Haiku staircase was intended for the installation of cables and antennas connecting the two cliff sides of Haiku Valley. During that time, a signal transmitting building was constructed atop Puukeahiakahoe peak at an altitude of nearly 900 meters, linking Wahiawa and the Haiku naval information station. This specialized antenna system transmitted very low-frequency signals from the 200,000 W Alexanderson power plant located in the valley center to US Navy submarines off the coast of Tokyo Bay, even when submerged underwater.

When the naval base ceased operations in the 1950s, the US Coast Guard repurposed the area as an Omega navigation system station. Subsequently, the wooden staircase was gradually replaced by metal staircases spanning the slopes and platforms. In 1987, the staircase was closed off. Despite this, adventurous explorers continue to disregard the prohibition signs and persistently venture here to conquer the renowned 'stairway to heaven'. Hence, it is believed that this location will reopen to welcome tourists in the not-too-distant future.

In 2003, the staircase underwent repairs with a budget of 875,000 USD from the city's funds. However, this location will remain closed and under security control until management issues are resolved.

Haiku comprises 3,922 steps, divided into sections of steps over 2 meters high connected by hooks and attached to the mountainside, then screwed into two handrails with diameters from 0.5 to 0.6 meters. The spacing between steps is also moderate to facilitate easier climbing. While not the most challenging mountain climbing route on Oahu Island, it is a fantastic spot to admire the majestic mountainsides and Haiku Valley. From the highest peak, travelers will be overwhelmed by the scenery of the coastline from Ahuimanu to Kualoa, Hoomaluhia Lake, Moanalua Valley Trail, Koolau cliffs, and more.

However, when visiting here, travelers should not only be engrossed in admiring the beautiful scenery, as just one misstep could turn their journey into a disaster. Furthermore, although the two handrails may look sturdy, people are also warned not to rely solely on them for safety.

Oahu, or Oʻahu, is the third-largest island in the Hawaiian Islands and the most populous island in the state of Hawaii, with an area of 1,545.4 square kilometers. The island is the result of the eruption of two separate volcanoes, Wai’anae and Ko’olau.

Today, Oahu has become a tourist and shopping paradise with over 5 million visitors each year (mostly from the United States and Japan) enjoying vacations in the Hawaiian Islands with diverse cultural experiences on the island. When here, visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit famous tourist destinations such as Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Kāne’ohe Bay, Kailua Bay, North Shore, and more.

In Oahu, there is everything from luxury resorts to hotels and guesthouses suitable for everyone's budget. Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Oahu, so tourists can book connecting flights in Shanghai (China) or Seoul (South Korea) for prices starting from $700 upwards (about 16.5 million VND).

As per information from Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour