Honolulu has begun its permanent removal of iconic landmark Haiku Stairs, known as the Stairway to Heaven, due to safety concerns and illegal tourist behavior, such as trespassing.⁠ ⁠ The City and County of Honolulu announced the decision in a press release on April 10. The local government is partnered with contractor the Nakoa Companies Inc. for the removal project.⁠ ⁠ The influx of visitors to the Haiku Stairs over the years reportedly led to numerous rescues and disturbances in the surrounding neighborhoods. Approximately 11,430 individuals were turned away by authorities between August 2017 and March 2020. Additionally, over 188 people have been rescued from the hiking trail between 2010 and 2022, all funded by taxpayers’ money.⁠ The decision to remove the stairs, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was made after years of deliberation about whether it would be saved or removed.⁠ ⁠ The removal project officially began this month and is expected to take at least six months, with...