A popular tourist site in Hawaii isn't an attraction promoted by the Pacifically located state. In fact, it's illegal for people to access the spot. And still, many people flock to Dead Man's Catwalk to bask in the beautiful beach views and to take pictures on the concrete slab.
Once called Kamehame Ridge, the popular hiking trail was renamed in 2012 after an unknown person spray-painted the words "Dead Man's Catwalk" on the cement walkway. A 40-minute trek to the spot, located on the island of Oahu, ends at the famous "catwalk," which appears to drop off into a mysterious abyss.
But now, officials at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands want the catwalk removed, according to KHON2.
They're hoping doing away with the concrete slab will stop people from taking advantage of dangerous photo opportunities like these:
Aside from potentially dangerous situations that could result from a photo gone wrong, officials want to remind people that the area was never intended to attract hikers. The land that the trail is on is private property owned by Kamehameha Schools. Last year, the school system sent letters to bloggers and travel websites asking them to stop promoting the hike, Huffington Post reported.
The trail is surrounded by Federal Aviation Administration antennas, propane tanks and a telecommunications office. Kamehameha Schools said all three have been vandalized with increased foot traffic in the area.
"Wires to our building and equipment have been cut, and there's graffiti covering our walls," Don Laidlaw, an engineer for one of the property's licensees, said in a press release. "We know that other agencies are getting hit, too. I've heard of one telecommunications office that was broken into and communications towers that have been damaged. It's difficult to deal with."
The removal of the catwalk will cost approximately $48,000, but locals Hawaiians don't think removing the concrete slab will prevent many people from hiking the trail.
"I have done the hike six times and it has had nothing to do with the catwalk," Jaclyn Dolski, an Oahu resident, told Huffington Post. "The hike is a fast easy path to beautiful views of the ocean with a great sunrise."
About the Author
