Save Hawaiʻi's
"Stairway to Heaven"
In August 2021, the Honolulu City Council voted to demolish the iconic Haʻikū Stairs. The vote came despite an overwhelming public outcry to save the Stairs. In the preceding two years, over 5,000 public comments were submitted with more than 90% favoring preservation. A professional public opinion poll in April 2022 confirmed that a clear majority of O‘ahu residents want to save the Stairs not destroy them. The Stairs are a historic World War II monument eligible for the National Historic Register. They offer a unique, world-class hiking experience, treasured for generations. It would be tragic to lose them.
The Friends of Haʻikū Stairs are spearheading the fight to save the Stairs. We filed a lawsuit against the City & County of Honolulu in August 2023 and are pushing to block the demolition on multiple fronts. With your help we will convince City leaders to heed the public will.
Please donate to support our efforts.
Join us at the Ossipoff Cabin
Sunday, August 20
1pm-7:30pm
Visit one architectural gem to save another.
All spots for the event have been reserved. If you would like to be notified of when we will be hosting our next Ossipoff Cabin Event, please sign up for our Waitlist. By signing up, you will be among the first to know when we will be having our next event.
Mahalo nui loa for your support!
For any questions or concerns, please email info@haikustairs.org.
About the Event
This exclusive cabin experience features a visit to the privately owned Ossipoff Cabin in Pālehua, an architectural and historic wonder built by Vladimir Ossipoff, as well as tours of several other historic and culturally significant sites. The Ossipoff Cabin is not normally open to the public. Very few have the chance to view these important sites and take in the awe-inspiring views of the Wai‘anae Mountains, lush forests, and the artistry of the cabin itself.
Read more about the Ossipoff Cabin below.
All guests will enjoy:
-
A guided tour of the Ossipoff Cabin, plus a visit to nearby Mahaholokai Cabin (built by Castle & Cooke)
-
A short hike to Mauna Kapu, a culturally significant site for Native Hawaiians and the only place in Hawaiʻi where you can see all the Hawaiian Islands
-
Learning about the history of the Ossipoff Cabin and its restoration, the cultural history and ecology of the Southern Waianae Mountains, and the Gill family's efforts at conservation and native plant reforestation
-
A sunset reception featuring a special wine selection curated by global Master of Wine, Stephen Skelton, and a decadent pupu spread, served up with unforgettable views over the Waianae Coast
In addition to these activities, there are two options for guests to choose from when purchasing tickets to this event (see below for details).
How to Attend
The first 30 people to donate $350 will reserve their spot to attend our incredible Ossipoff Cabin event. Donations & reservations can be made by clicking the "Register Now" button below.
There are two different reservation options for this event. See below for details. You may reserve as many spots as you'd like.
Reservations are given on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to grab your spot ASAP!
Please note: We will offer full refunds for cancellations made by August 4 and a 50% refund for cancellations made by August 14. Cancellations after August 14 are non-refundable.
Option A:
Architectural & Historic Preservation Program
In this expert-led discussion, guests will have the unique opportunity to hear from William Chapman, Dean of UH Architecture, and Graham Hart, Architect & Expert on Ossipoff, about the architecture and history of the Ossipoff Cabin as well as preservation efforts put towards the Ossipoff Cabin and other significant sites in Hawaiʻi, including the Haʻikū Stairs.
William Chapman, Dean of UH Architecture
"Chapman, a 1967 graduate of Vermont Academy, is the former director of the graduate program in historic preservation and chair of the Department of American Studies. A four-time Fulbright awardee, he holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Columbia University and the University of Oxford." Read more about William Chapman here.
Graham Hart, Architect & Expert on Ossipoff
"Graham Hart is architect and co-founder of Kokomo Studio, and teaches as a lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i School of Architecture. He is past president of Docomomo US Hawai‘i Chapter and co-chaired the 2019 National Docomomo Symposium, and also serves on the Hawai‘i Historic Places Review Board."
Option B:
Guided Interpretive Hike to Palikea
Guests will enjoy an exclusive, private access hike on a rarely-visited trail. This guided hike will be led by a naturalist who will offer expert insights into the native plants and ecology along the trail. Be sure to reserve your spot to witness once-in-a-lifetime views and learn more about what makes the area special.
This is a 90-minute moderate ridge hike to a Waianae summit peak with spectacular panoramic views over Nanakuli and Lualualei Valleys, Kolekole Pass, the Waianae Coast, and Central Oahu.
.jpg)
Photo by: Christine Labrador
Photo by: Ernest Shih
Photo by: Christine Labrador
About the Ossipoff Cabin
The Ossipoff Cabin was built by legendary architect and trailblazing master of Hawaiian Modernism: Vladimir Ossipoff. Houses he designed for others are celebrated all around the island; however, this is the cabin that he built for himself -- his personal private hideaway to get away from it all. It sits in a spectacular ridgetop setting in a remote, otherwise inaccessible section of the Waiʻanae Mountains, surrounded by native forest, with panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
Gary Gill, your host, is a former City Council Chair. He and his 'ohana are longtime environmentalists. They have recently restored the cabin, winning a Docomomo Residential Design Award of Excellence in 2021, and are still working to restore the surrounding land. Read more about the incredible Ossipoff Cabin in the Honolulu Magazine or Flux Hawaii, and see gorgeous images of the cabin here.
