Loosing the stairs is not really a big deal in my opinion--not only are there other peaks with equivalent views there are also several other ways to access the peak. I strongly sympathize with the neighborhood that has to deal with a huge increase in traffic and often unconscientious hikers. 

Mr. Goody's comment that the stairs can handle 60-80 people a day is laughable. The trail is wilding popular with not just locals, who might follow the rules, but also the tourist and transient set. Yay instagram and the internet I guess.  There is little reason to think that the a parking lot and opening the stairs would any better allow us to mitigate hiker traffic. I cannot think of a single other area on Oahu where any attempt to regulate and reduce visitor traffic has been successful. 

A solution that does not properly address the concerns of the neighborhood is not in my mind a solution. 

Also I don't live there.