Here's Why So Many Hawaiian Hikes Are Actually Illegal
By Leslie Veliz
VACATIONS
The tropical paradise of Hawaii is a utopia for hikers. However, there are notable trails and hiking areas throughout the islands that are off limits due to safety concerns.
Narnia, the Stairway to Heaven, Sacred Falls State Park, and many more Hawaiian trails are all illegal to traverse. Still, hikers pursue these routes, often to tragic ends.
Nicole Chavez died while illegally hiking Wailua Falls on Kauai in 2022. In 2014, one man went missing and had to be rescued during an illegal hike at Sacred Falls State Park.
These trails weren’t always off limits to the public. For instance, Sacred Falls State Park was made off-limits after a 1999 rockslide left eight individuals dead.
The Stairway to Heaven has been illegal to hike since 1987, but hundreds continued to hike the stairs. Due to this, Honolulu began to dismantle the stairs in 2021.