The Ha'iku Stairs, aptly nicknamed the Stairway to Heaven, is a steep climb on the island of Oahu that seems to disappear into the sky itself.
The trail got its start as a simple wooden ladder attached to the cliff. It was installed during World War II to facilitate the building of a giant VLF transmitter. As opposed to other VLF-transmitters this station did not use any towers, but antenna cables spun between the cliffs above Ha'iku Valley. These, along with a building at the peak, could transmit signals that could reach submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay, even when they were submerged underwater.
The trail got its start as a simple wooden ladder attached to the cliff. It was installed during World War II to facilitate the building of a giant VLF transmitter. As opposed to other VLF-transmitters this station did not use any towers, but antenna cables spun between the cliffs above Ha'iku Valley. These, along with a building at the peak, could transmit signals that could reach submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay, even when they were submerged underwater.
At the end of the 1960's the transmitter was transformed into a station for the OMEGA navigation system, which remained until the system was shut down on September 30th, 1997.
In the 1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by metal steps and ramps 3,922 steps in all. The trail was officially closed in 1987, but many hikers continue to ignore the "No Trespassing" signs and make the climb for the awe-inspiring view at the top.
In the 1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by metal steps and ramps 3,922 steps in all. The trail was officially closed in 1987, but many hikers continue to ignore the "No Trespassing" signs and make the climb for the awe-inspiring view at the top.