The steep Kaneohe trail was not the only one hikers have been using illegally. Sacred Falls trail was shut down in 1999, but less than two months ago the fire department rescued an injured hiker from that restricted area.

Nearly $900,000 was spent in 2003 to fix up the Haiku Stairs, but the trail was never re-opened.

Neighbors said noise and trespassing problems grew worse after those improvements.

There are no plans by the state to re-open the "Stairway to Heaven" trail.