Haiku Stairs in Hawaii: 3,922 steps built for military, now offering breathtaking views. An exhilarating climb! The Haʻikū Stairs originated as a crucial WWII military project. Built in 1942, the original wooden ladders provided access to a top-secret U.S. Navy radio station vital for communicating with Navy ships across the Pacific. In the mid-1950s, the wood was replaced by the iconic 3,922 galvanized steel steps. However, the stairs were officially closed to the public in 1987 over safety con