State court denies request to stop removal of ‘Stairway to Heaven’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A state court has decided not to stop the city’s removal of the Haiku Stairs.

Late this afternoon, Judge Lisa Cataldo denied an injunction and temporary restraining order to halt deconstruction.

Legal issues complicate removal of ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ city confirms

The Friends of the Haiku Stairs argued they would be irreparably harmed if the historic structure was removed, but the judge said that argument was not valid because the trail is already illegal to hike on.

The judge also ruled that state protection for historic sites does not apply to the stairs.

The city responded to today’s ruling, saying that due to ongoing severe weather, the removal of the stairs that started weeks ago will be postponed.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Legal issues complicate removal of ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ city confirms
• State shuts down unofficial ‘back way’ to the Haiku Stairs
• ‘Not pono’: Hordes of hikers descend on Stairway to Heaven as city prepares dismantle it
• HPD arrests 5 people for trespassing on Haiku Stairs trail
• Legal issues complicate removal of ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ city confirms
• After decades of debate, city announces start of $2.6M Haiku Stairs removal project