State removes 'Dead Man's Catwalk' in East Oahu
HAWAII KAI, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state has removed a landmark slab of concrete atop Kamehame Ridge after previous attempts to keep trespassers away failed.
A locked gate, security guards, and several "no trespassing" signs haven't stop some hikers from hiking along Kamehame Ridge in Hawaii Kai to "Dead Man's Catwalk," a concrete plank popular on social media.
To get there, hikers are required to jump over gates plastered in giant red private property signs and later squeezing through a tiny hole made in a chain link fence.
The state's Department of Hawaiian Home Lands removed the iconic concrete runway last week citing liability and safety concerns. Still, hikers trying to be somewhat incognito were seen coming back from the off-limits hike on Tuesday.
Most didn't want to do on-camera interviews, others didn't even bother going up after finding out the famed attraction was gone, and some said they are not coming back.
"It's a real major spot, real popular for everyone; it's blowing up on the Internet. You can find everyone coming up here taking pictures. But yeah just kind of a bummer that you can't no longer do it anymore," hiker Greg Rutherford said.
Kamehameha Schools owns the surrounding lands leading up to the concrete slab. But the structure itself was on state land. Crews completed removal operations on Thursday. It cost the state $48,000.
"I think it was probably a good idea because it looks pretty dangerous to me from the pictures I've seen," said Roger Russell, who works in the area.
"I most definitely disagree. That's just my opinion. It's kind of unfortunate that that had to happen and I didn't even realize it cost that much, that's crazy," said Rutherford.
DHHL spokeswoman Paula Aila says there have not been any serious incidents leading up to this removal. Although Kamehame Drive homeowner Lori Hiraki said sometimes hikers are inconsiderate.
"When things like the trash and the parking, sometimes they block driveways, so that kind of thing. So if people were respectful then I really don't think it would come to that," Hiraki said.
Aila says there are no legal ways to get to the striking vantage point and there are no other changes planned for the area in the future.
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