PBS Special: Stairway to Heaven: Haiku Stairs in Paradise

PBS Broadcast Premier: Stairway to Heaven: Haiku Stairs in Paradise.

Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. (Rebroadcast)

Streaming will be available through the PBS App, pbs.org and YouTube

Below excerpt shared with permission from Friends of Haiku Stairs October 29th email

THE STAIRS STILL STAND

It’s been a quiet stretch on the legal front, but sometimes no news is good news.

Since our last update in December, there have been no new court rulings in our ongoing fight to save the Ha?ik? Stairs. The injunction blocking demolition remains in place, and the Stairs are still standing.

But this fight is far from over.

With the future of the Stairs still uncertain, we have an exciting opportunity to bring their story to a much wider audience — and we need your help.

QUICK RECAP

Demolition remains halted.

A court injunction granted in July 2024 continues to block the City’s demolition plans.

We’re fighting on multiple fronts.

Our environmental lawsuit remains pending before the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Our historic preservation lawsuit is moving forward.

In December 2025, the First Circuit Court dismissed the City’s motion to throw out our case challenging the State’s approval of the demolition plan.

The legal fight continues.

There is no firm timeline for a final ruling in the ongoing cases.

The Stairs remain closed to the public.

Entering them carries a risk of arrest for criminal trespassing.

The injunction is a critical protection, but it isn’t a permanent solution. We must work toward a future that preserves this historic landmark and allows people to experience it safely, responsibly and legally.

The Haiku Stairs are more than a hiking destination. They are a remarkable piece of Hawai’i’s history, a legacy of groundbreaking wartime communications technology, and a place treasured by generations of our community. We believe preservation and responsible public access are possible. Our managed access proposal offers a path forward, and we’ll continue advocating for the City to give it a fair chance.

The court proceedings may be quiet for now, but the work continues. Let’s use this moment to bring more people into the conversation and keep the future of Haiku Stairs in the public eye.

Together, we can keep their story alive.