Searching for the stairway to heaven: information seeking about an illegal hiking trail in Hawai`i
ABSTRACT Outdoor enthusiasts are increasingly using the Internet to discover ‘hidden gem’ activities to undertake while on vacation. Increased foot traffic in off-limit areas and an uptick in the number of distress calls made by injured tourists have led journalists and local authorities to posit that images and videos posted on social media may entice people to trespass and/or undertake physical activities that are more dangerous than they appear in photographs. However, little research has actually examined if such information plays a role in the decision to undertake risky and/or illegal outdoor activities. To address this gap, this study adopts a case study approach to examine how people use online information sources to decide whether to hike the Ha`ikū Stairs, an extremely popular yet illegal hike located on the island of O`ahu, Hawai`i. Results from thematic analyses of 111 open-ended anonymous survey responses showed that respondents sought online information about legality issues, accessibility and facts about the Ha`ikū Stairs. Interestingly, respondents largely indicated that online information dissuaded them from hiking the Ha`ikū Stairs. Such responses have largely been overlooked in the larger public discourse about the Ha`ikū Stairs. Implications of study findings are discussed.