Is it illegal to hike Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii? Yes, and it could cost you thousands

According to the new bill, SB786, “it is the State that bears the burden of paying for the costs associated with the search or rescue.”

The bill proposes giving the government the ability to “seek reimbursement for search or rescue expenses” when hikers tresspass and get into trouble.

Since airlift rescues typically take two hours and helicopters cost up to $4020 according to HFD, this could put an $8040 price tag on the pretty trail.

After passing its first reading, the bill crossed over to the House, said Senator Brenton Awa, the representative for Kaneohe, where the trail is located.

Awa said hikers needed to understand that being out in nature comes with risks.

“When you go into the wilderness, there’s responsibility that comes with it,” he said. “I would never go into another state and expect to be saved by anybody.”

Hawaii Police Department (HPD) and Hawaii Fire Department both opposed the bill. In a written testimony, HPD stated the bill could “make the situation worse and further endanger the lives of those persons as well as first responders”.

Hawaii is not the first US state looking to impose such a bill. Similar legislation is also present in Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and South Dakota.