Hiker arrested after illegally entering Ha’iku Staircase construction site | News, Sports, Jobs

The Maui News

WAILUKU – Since last Thursday, 14 hikers have been arrested on the Kāne’ohe side of the Ha’ikū Stairs by Honolulu Police, who then alerted the DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). Eight of the 14 were arrested this morning. All face trespassing charges.

HPD told DLNR that the hikers reached the top of the stairs via the Middle Ridge Trail in the Moanalua section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. DLNR announced the reopening of that section on Friday and warned people to avoid the Middle Ridge Trail. It is not a state-sanctioned trail and using that trail to reach the top of the stairs is illegal and dangerous.

While removal of the entire staircase is on hold due to a legal dispute, several modules, which consist of numerous stair clamps that attach the stair modules to the hillside, have already been removed by helicopter. The arrested hikers used ropes from the top of the Middle Ridge Trail to reach where the stairs are still attached to the mountainside.

DOCARE CEO Jason Redulla said: “It’s dangerous for people to enter the site and dangerous for them to try to descend the ridge. They have to think about the consequences if someone gets injured or worse happens and needs to be rescued. It’s a location that’s difficult for first responders to reach, which could delay medical treatment. Additionally, it’s incredibly disrespectful and selfish for someone to be on the Ha’ikū Stairs or on the Middle Ridge Trail when it’s abundantly clear that these areas are closed for safety and to protect natural resources. Not only do they not consider the risks they’re taking, but they also don’t consider the risks rescue teams face when they have to rescue people who are breaking the law.”