A hiker has reported hearing a terrifying cry for help at the precise time a teenager vanished on Hawaii's notorious Ha'iku Stairs, also known as the 'Stairway to Heaven.' The trail has since been permanently closed following the disturbing missing persons case.
The Disappearance of Daylenn Pua
In 2015, 18-year-old Daylenn Pua went missing during a hike on the Ha'iku Stairs. He was last seen on February 27 and never returned, according to Hawaii's News Now. The steel step structure was originally built during World War II as an access point to US Navy communication installations on O'ahu island. The trail features 3,922 steps winding across the mountain range, offering spectacular views.
Eerie Photographs and the 'Shadow Man'
Daylenn had been sending his grandmother photographs of the scenic spots along his journey. One of the final images he sent appears to show a man crouching in a bush behind him. This figure was later dubbed the 'shadow man,' and speculation arose that he might be connected to the teenager's disappearance.
The Hiker's Account
Search teams focused on a narrow ridge after a group of hikers claimed to have heard a cry for help at the exact time Daylenn went missing. One Reddit user, Dclandry, recounted the experience: 'I could never explain to you the feeling I felt when you hear a cry like that. The hiker did not trust pass and go up the stairs. By the looks of the photographs, he didn't ever make it to the stairs.'
The hiker continued: 'We started the hike on a trail about 20 feet from the Kulana'ahane trail. We had hiked about three hours up. We were yelling to each other to make sure the others were okay because we were so far apart. The wind died down for just a half a second and we hear a scream "help me!"'
Shaken by the ordeal, the group called 911. When rescue teams arrived, further screams were allegedly heard, including 'I'm down here!' However, the group could not pinpoint the exact location due to strong winds and rolling clouds. The hiker added: 'The wind was so bad and the clouds are starting to roll in so it was hard to hear anything. My friend and I that heard the last cry, are heading up the ridge tomorrow the same way that we went Monday.'
Permanent Closure
The Ha'iku Stairs were permanently closed in 2024, partly due to the unsettling missing persons case and ongoing safety concerns. The trail had long been a popular but dangerous hike, with numerous injuries and rescues over the years.
