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The Lady in Blue of Moss Beach Distillery from the Speakeasy era in California

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During prohibition times in America, illegal speakeasies popped up along the shores, perfect for smuggling alcohol into the country. One of them was the Moss Beach Distillery in California, and the restaurant as well as the beach is said to be haunted by The Lady in Blue. 

Perched high on a wind-battered cliff along California’s rugged San Mateo Coast, overlooking the restless Pacific, the Moss Beach Distillery by a secluded beach stands as one of the West Coast’s most charming — and most haunted — landmarks. 

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Since its inception in 1927, during the heady, illicit days of Prohibition, the Distillery has weathered decades of history, scandal, and ghost stories 20 miles south of San Francisco. But none are as enduring, or as chilling, as the legend of The Lady in Blue.

A Speakeasy by the Sea

The Moss Beach Distillery in San Mateo County was born as Frank’s Place by Frank Torres, an exclusive speakeasy frequented by silent film stars, bootleggers, and thrill-seekers eager to escape the suffocating moral codes of the day and it was never raided. Mystery writer Dashiell Hammett frequented the place and used it as a setting for one of his detective stories. 

Its hidden passageways, secret compartments for smuggled Canadian whiskey, and cliffside location made it the perfect den for mischief, music — and, if whispers are true, murder.

Among the regular guests was a striking young woman known only as Mary Anne or Morley, sometimes known as Cateye by different psychics.Mostly she is just referred to as The Lady in Blue as she was known to always wear a blue dress. Mary was a married woman who, despite the risk, became entangled in a passionate and ultimately tragic affair with John Contina, the establishment’s charismatic piano player, according to some.

A Love Story Drenched in Blood

The lovers’ meetings were clandestine, their affections fueled by the risk and thrill of forbidden romance. But fate — or perhaps jealousy — intervened one fog-laden night. According to the most persistent version of the tale, as Mary and John strolled hand in hand along the desolate beach, they were ambushed by a shadowy figure. Mary was brutally attacked and killed. Though John initially survived, his battered body was later found washed ashore, lifeless and broken.

Other versions suggest different outcomes — a car crash, a lover’s quarrel, or the tragic suicide of another scorned mistress, Anna Philbrick, who allegedly hurled herself from the cliffs upon learning of John’s betrayal. In still other versions, she is a lovesick woman who throws herself into the sea.

Yet no matter which telling you choose, one element remains constant: Mary’s spirit never left Moss Beach.

The Lady in Blue’s Restless Haunting

For nearly a century, patrons and employees alike have claimed unsettling encounters with a female apparition clad in flowing blue. She appears on foggy nights, drifting through the restaurant, brushing cold fingers against the living, or vanishing into thin air before startled eyes.

Visitors have reported whispers with no source, objects moving on their own, and inexplicable technical disturbances like the phone calling from no one. Perhaps the most infamous incident occurred when, without warning, the restaurant’s computer system inexplicably reset — changing every date in the system to 1927, the year the Distillery first opened its doors. Technicians could find no reason for the glitch, and the anomaly has since become a part of The Lady in Blue’s eerie legacy.

Staff members working late have heard the piano play itself, and some refuse to close alone. One employee swears she saw a woman in blue watching from a corner of the empty dining room, only to vanish when approached. Apparently in the 70s, a worker remodeling the restaurant saw her and went back to southern California, too scared to go back and finish the job. Guests have even claimed to see a blue-clad figure staring longingly out toward the cliffs, as though waiting for a lover who never returned.

Also by the water there has been reported about spirit activity. Kids playing on the sandy beach have claimed that some woman in a blue dress came warning them about playing so close to the waters right before a sudden high tide rushed into the shore.

Fact, Folklore, and Foggy Nights

Though no official records confirm the names of Mary, John Contina, or Anna Philbrick, the persistent nature of The Lady in Blue legend suggests a powerful cultural memory — one perhaps born from Moss Beach’s turbulent Prohibition past and its reputation for danger and romance on the edge of the world.

Although today there is a strong figure in the area, there is little evidence of the story before the 1980s. This is when Mike and Shirley Sarno took over the restaurant and gave an interview about the legend of The Lady in Blue in the San Francisco Examiner. 

Their names, Mary or Mary Morley, come from a series of scenes done by Sylvia Browne in April 1992. According to this seance, a fire broke out just a few days after her ghost had warned the staff.  

Whether Mary was a wronged wife, a doomed lover, or simply a figment of California’s colorful lore, her ghost seems determined to linger, forever entwined with the crashing surf and shifting sands of Moss Beach.

If you dare to visit, sip a drink, listen for the whispers, and cast your gaze toward the cliffs at twilight. You might just catch a glimpse of The Lady in Blue, forever walking the shore between the worlds of the living and the dead.

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References:

History + Ghost – Moss Beach Distillery 

She’s the Bay Area’s most famous ghost. But her origin story is suspect. 

The Lady in Blue: Ghost on the Coast

Moss Beach Distillery – Wikipedia 

Moss Beach Distillery Is a California Bar with a Killer View—and Clientele

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The Haunted Depths of MacKenzie State Park in Hawaii

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Built upon the backs of prisoners, the lush MacKenzie State Park on the Big Island is haunted by the souls that have perished there. Faint campfires in the distant and horrid screams in the night have made more than one camper stay away from the park after night. 

Found in Opihikao on Hawaii’s Big Island, MacKenzie State Park is a place where the line between the living and the dead seems impossibly thin. The trail follows the scenic Red Road along the Puna Coastline. Though the park is small, open only during daylight hours, it has a sinister reputation that far outweighs its modest size. 

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The park offers picnic facilities, restrooms, and a tranquil grove of ironwood trees planted in the 1930s by a young park ranger, Albert J. MacKenzie, who died at 21 and who the park is named after. Yet beneath its seemingly peaceful facade, MacKenzie State Park hides a chilling history that has made it one of the most haunted spots in Hawaii.

Opihikao Coast, Pahoa, Big Island, Hawaii, United States

A Park Built on Dark History

The park sits along an ancient Hawaiian coastal path known as the “King’s Highway,” a trail that winds past the mouths of yawning lava tubes and follows a shoreline marked by treacherous cliffs and strong currents. In the 1850s, long before it was designated as a park, the area served a far more sinister purpose. Convicts from Honolulu were shipped to the Big Island, forced to toil under harsh conditions, clearing land for sugar plantations and maintaining the King’s Highway. These prisoners, many of whom died from disease, exhaustion, or mistreatment, were buried in unmarked graves scattered throughout the area.

Sunrise in Puna. // Source:Thomas Tunsch/Wikimedia

Locals already believed this land to be haunted by the restless spirits called the ‘Uhane—ghostly figures who wander the earth, unable to find peace. Legends also spoke of the Night Marchers, the ghostly apparitions of ancient Hawaiian warriors doomed to march eternally along sacred pathways. As the convicts’ bodies were buried, the park became a site of overlapping spiritual unrest—a confluence of the old spirits of the ‘Uhane and the new souls of the prisoners, trapped in an unending search for release.

Eerie Phenomena: The Ghostly Presence

Hikers who brave the old coastal trail often recount eerie, inexplicable experiences and think that it must be the ghosts of the prison laborers haunting the park. Footsteps echo behind them when no one is there, and shadowy figures appear to watch from the dense grove of ironwood trees. According to some visitors they have even seen unshaven men carrying pick axes and other tools around sunset. 

Read also: The Haunted Banyan Trees on Manoa Falls Trail

Campers have more terrifying tales to tell. Those who dared to camp overnight speak of hearing footsteps circling their tents, accompanied by low murmurs and whispers or even anguished screams. People have also reported of something disturbing their tents in the night and unseen forces unzipping their sleeping bags. When they summon the courage to look outside, there is nothing there. Some even claim to have seen the flickering lights of ghostly campfires off in the distance, complete with figures moving around the flames. But when they approach, the campfires vanish as if they were never there.

The Spirits in the Night in MacKenzie State Park

But not all spirits in MacKenzie State Park are content to remain hidden. Many have reported hearing screams and groans emerging from the darkness, chilling the blood of even the most seasoned campers. Tents are sometimes violently shaken in the dead of night, and those inside can feel the presence of something—or someone—outside, watching, waiting. Some claim the spirits are not content to remain outside; they will invade the tents, pressing cold hands against the living or even attempting to choke them. And just as suddenly as they arrive, these spirits vanish, leaving their victims in a cold sweat and desperate to escape the haunted park.

Murders in the Park

In 1980, two young campers were dragged from their tent and severely beaten, leaving one camper dead and the other disabled. This crime remains unsolved. In 1993, three men kidnapped, raped, and murdered a sixteen year old girl. These men were prosecuted for this crime, and confessed that they threw her over the cliffs into the ocean while she was still alive. 

More recently in 2008, film crews shooting a Helen Mirren film called “The Tempest” discovered the bullet-riddled body of a local surfer. The killer was his own father.

The notoriously unsafe sea cliffs have killed several fishermen and ‘opihi pickers whose bodies are usually never found in the harsh Puna surf. All of these violent deaths have attributed to the parks haunted reputation.

The Rough Sea: The Waves crashing into the shore can be huge and many lives have been lost like this. Opihikao Coast, Pahoa, Big Island. // Source: Robert Linsdell/Wiki

The Unseen Campfires

Locals will tell you that MacKenzie State Park is not just haunted, but alive with spirit activity. Some say that the ghosts make their own encampments, complete with campfires and tents that appear out of nowhere. As hikers draw near, the campfires flicker out, and the tents vanish, leaving behind only the sound of the wind rustling through the ironwood trees. It’s said that these spirits are recreating scenes from their past lives, reliving moments they cannot leave behind.

For those who dare to visit, a warning: do not stray from the path, do not camp overnight, and always keep an eye on the shadows. The ghosts of MacKenzie State Park may be watching, waiting, and they are not always content to remain unseen.

So, if you ever find yourself at MacKenzie State Park, remember that you are not alone. The past lingers here, in the groves, in the lava tubes, and in the night. And sometimes, just sometimes, the spirits reach out, reminding us of their presence, their stories, and their restless search for peace in a land where life and death intertwine.

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References:

MacKenzie State Park in Hawaii: Murder Stories and Haunted Legends – WanderWisdom 

https://www.riseupparanormal.com/hawaii.htm

Mackenzie State Park: The Spooky, Grave-laden Haunted Park

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The Pirate King Blackbeard Haunting the Beaches of Ocracoke Island

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After losing his head to the sea, the infamous pirate, Blackbeard is thought to be haunting the Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks. His body is seen wandering on the beaches, calling out for anyone to help him find his head. 

Tucked into the misty crook of North Carolina’s Outer Banks lies Ocracoke Island, a lonely, wind-swept strip of land long known for shipwrecks, pirates, and spectral legends. The history of piracy in the Outer Banks dates back to the time of the first colony in Roanoke. As early as 1585, men were sent here by the British crown to rob the ships of the Spanish Armada. Here, the past clings like a damp fog to the shoreline, and no figure casts a longer, more fearsome shadow over these haunted sands than Edward Teach — the pirate world remembers him as Blackbeard.

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More than 300 years have passed since the infamous buccaneer’s brutal demise, yet the restless spirit of Blackbeard is said to still roam the beaches and waters of Ocracoke, eternally seeking something he lost to the bloody surf: his head.

Edward Teach: Better known as Blackbeard, was one of the most notorious pirates of the early 18th century, infamous for his fearsome appearance and ruthless tactics. Born in Bristol, England, around 1680, he operated around the West Indies and along the American colonies, commanding a ship named the Queen Anne’s Revenge. With his long, thick black beard and a penchant for intimidation, often lighting slow-burning fuses in his beard during battles, Blackbeard became a symbol of piracy itself.

The Bloody End of a Pirate King

In November of 1718, the pirate scourge of the Atlantic met his end at Teach’s Hole, his favorite anchorage near Ocracoke’s sheltered coves. Back then it was called “The Point”.

Capture of the Pirate: Blackbeard, 1718 depicting the battle between Blackbeard the Pirate and Lieutenant Maynard in Ocracoke Bay

He had actually given up his days as a pirate at this point and swore allegiance to the British Crown. However, the Governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood wanted him gone.  In a violent clash against British naval forces led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard, Blackbeard fought with the ferocity of a man possessed, sustaining over twenty sword wounds and five gunshots before finally falling.

His lifeless body was unceremoniously tossed into the water while his severed head was lashed to the bowsprit of Maynard’s sloop as a grim trophy. His shackled pirate crew were forced to watch as the headless body swam three times around the ship before sinking, according to legend. 

His head sailed to various ports in eastern North Carolina until it was impaled on a stake at the entrance to the harbor in Hampton, Virginia as a warning to other “Brethren of the Coast.” 

The waters, locals whisper, turned dark as pitch that day — and the legends say they’ve never quite settled since.

The Phantom of Teach’s Hole

It’s along this stretch of water, now ominously known as Teach’s Hole at Springer’s Point covered with ancient live oaks and cedars, that eerie sightings persist. Strange lights bubble up from beneath the waves, swirling like will-o’-the-wisps before vanishing into the depths. On storm-thrashed nights, when the wind howls through the twisted live oaks and rain lashes the old gravestones, some say you can hear a guttural, ghostly cry echoing across the surf:

“Where’s my head?”

Fishermen, kayakers, and intrepid ghost hunters have all reported the chilling phenomenon — a voice born of salt and fury, forever cursing the fate that separated a pirate from his crown.

The Bearded Ghost of Springer’s Point

Ocracoke’s spectral lore doesn’t stop at the shoreline. At Springer’s Point, a dense maritime forest overlooking the inlet where Blackbeard made his final stand, tales abound of a large, bearded figure in tattered seafarer’s garb, appearing and vanishing like smoke in the early morning mist.

One particularly unsettling account comes from Roy Parsons, a former resident and musician of the island, who claimed that as a boy he was chased along the Point by a towering man whose boots left no mark in the sand and whose form dissolved into nothingness before his terrified eyes.

Springers Point: Wikimedia

Springer’s Point, long considered cursed ground by Ocracoke’s older residents, was one of the pirate’s favorite haunts. The centuries-old live oaks still loom like sentinels over the site of his last debauched gathering, and visitors to this day report a suffocating, otherworldly heaviness that descends upon the path at dusk.

A Pirate’s Curse on the Graveyard of the Atlantic

Ocracoke is no stranger to death and the uncanny. Known as part of the Graveyard of the Atlantic, these treacherous waters have claimed over 5,000 ships since Europeans first braved its shifting sands and shoals. The locals, fiercely proud and intimately acquainted with tragedy, take their ghost stories seriously.

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Today, Teach’s Hole and Springer’s Point remain must-visit spots for thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. Today Teach’s Hole is a shop where you can buy all things Pirate. The latter, a secluded nature preserve accessible only by foot, offers eerie solitude, where the veil between past and present seems paper-thin.

Whether you’re drawn by the legends, the restless spirits, or the whisper of pirate gold still hidden beneath the sands, one thing’s certain — on Ocracoke Island, the dead never truly sleep.

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References:

A Circle, A Line, An Island: Ocracoke Ghosts | Our State

Hunting ghosts on Springer’s Point at Ocracoke | Island Free Press

Confessions of a Ghost Tour Guide and Skeptic 

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The Ghostly Tales of Kona Sheraton: Hauntings on the Big Island on Hawaii

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Thought to be struck by an ancient curse because they didn’t respect the holy locations around the hotel when building, the Kona Sheraton Resort was believed to be haunted from the start. Strange occurrences and unexplained accidents and injuries plagued the Big Island hotel for years. After making amends, can they now invite guest back?

On the coastline of the Big Island in Hawaii, Keauhou Bay sits glittering. It is here we find the Kona Sheraton, a luxurious resort that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a relaxing tropical escape. However, behind its serene facade, the Kona Sheraton hides a darker, more mysterious side. 

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For years, guests and staff alike have shared eerie stories of paranormal encounters, making this hotel one of the most haunted locations on the Big Island. Some even go as far to say that the hotel holds a curse from more ancient times.

Kailua Kona

A Haunted History for the Kona Sheraton

The Kona Sheraton or the Kona Surf hotel, as it was once known as, has undergone multiple transformations and renovations throughout its history. It opened in 1974 and has ever since been deemed haunted.

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Despite its changing exterior and updated amenities, one thing has remained constant—the ghostly tales that have haunted the hotel for decades. The resort stands on an ancient Hawaiian battleground, a site where many warriors are said to have lost their lives in brutal conflicts and that the very land is cursed because of it. 

The Keawehala Pond

When constructing the hotel, the developers destroyed the Keawehala Pond where people believed two twin sisters with powers lived close to the Mākole‘ā Heiau. This was a women’s heiau named after ali‘i wahine Mākole‘ā at Keauhou.

According to the lore, the twins protected the pond and kept the water clear and fresh. They were also said to be able to change into 30-foot lizards people called mo’o wahine or “beings from deified fetuses”. 

The Mo’o: Mele Murals in Waimea depicting the moʻowahine of Kohākohau stream. //Source

Most of the Mo’o were female and amphibious creatures living in ponds around the Hawaiian islands and were often said to have power of water as well as weather. It was said that when a mo’o died, the body of the lizard, gecko or even human shaped creatures became petrified and one with the landscape.

According to lore, the Mo’o Twins were also said to reside in the nearby Punawai Spring.

The Haunted Remains of the Heiaus

As well as destroying the pond, the nearby heiaus temples were filled with concrete, glass and disturbed by the construction, thought to anger the spirits. For a long time, it looked like a pile of rocks without meaning, but this has luckily changed as there have been restoration done to the holy site in the last decades. 

At the site there is a temple known as luakini, a place for human sacrifices according to the stories. The structure was built of volcanic rocks and stood 7-feet high. The luakini was called Ke’eku Heiau and is thought to date back to the early 1400s after carbon dating it.

Ke’eku Heiau

This was where the Maui chief, Kamalalawalu was sacrificed to the war God Ku around the 16th century after he invaded the place and lost. He was the first-born son of Kiha-a-Pi‘ilani, Kamalalawalu succeeded his father as mo‘i (king) of Maui. Some say that he was impaled on the heiau and eleven days went by before he died, and then taken to a nearby flat rock and butchered. Some say that the body was then towed to sea behind a canoe as shark food. It is said that his spirit as well as many others are still lingering in the place. 

As well as the king himself, it is said that his two big dogs died and were buried under the heiau luakini platform as well, howling and roaming around, searching for the underworld as well as their master. 

This blood-soaked history may explain the strange, supernatural occurrences reported by those who stay and work at the hotel.

Paranormal Activity Rooted in History

Given the hotel’s location on an ancient battleground, it is not surprising that the Kona Sheraton is a hotspot for paranormal activity. The restless spirits of warriors who perished in fierce battles, their souls still wandering in search of peace, are said to roam the grounds. 

The tragic history of the land seems to seep into every corner of the resort, with visitors and staff experiencing unexplained phenomena, from flickering lights to sudden drops in temperature and even a sense of being watched.

Ghostly Children in the Hallways

One of the most common complaints from guests involves the sound of little girls playing noisily in the hallways late at night. Frustrated by the sounds of laughter, giggles, and tiny footsteps echoing through the halls, guests frequently call down to security, demanding that the children be quieted. However, the hotel guards can only offer an apology and an explanation that chills guests to the bone—the children are ghosts.

These spectral children are said to be seen fleetingly, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, their faces partially obscured by the dim lighting of the hallway. They vanish around corners and dissolve into thin air when approached. Despite numerous sightings, their origins remain a mystery, but many believe they could be spirits of children from a bygone era who met a tragic fate on the grounds long before the hotel was built.

The Cliffside Specter

Another ghostly presence frequently spotted at the Kona Sheraton is the apparition of a figure standing at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Staff members report seeing a shadowy silhouette lingering near the edge, as if contemplating the deep blue waters below. The figure disappears the moment one looks away or tries to approach, leaving no trace behind. Some believe this could be the spirit of a warrior or a former guest, eternally bound to the cliffs where they may have met their end.

Lava Rocks in Kailua Kona

The cliffs themselves, with their dramatic drop-offs and sweeping views, hold a deep spiritual significance in Hawaiian culture. Some speculate that the spirit could be one of the many who lost their lives on these cliffs in ancient times or perhaps a ghost still drawn to the natural beauty and solemnity of the place.

The Accidents at the Kona Sheraton

Throughout its time as a hotel, the spirits are said to have been behind more than one accident. Construction workers experienced strange things and accidents that gave them concussions, fractured bones and hurt them. People started to blame spirits. 

The hotel staff were attacked by trays and dishes shattering towards them by an unseen force and the doors kept slamming behind them, almost like a warning. According to former employees, most of them left because of the hauntings. 

The worst thing that happened was when an 8-foot wooden ki’i fell over and killed a 4 year old child in August 1986 according to the ghost tours that had this as one of their stops. 

All of this contributed to the hotel’s reputation and the hotel closed in 1988. But even though the hotel closed down and was abandoned, there were still things happening according to the security staff. 

The Following Haunting

For years it was abandoned and boarded up, the former resort now covered in graffiti. In 2002 when people started to think the only way to deal with it was to demolish it.

Security guards hired to watch the property when the 462-room hotel closed in 1988 were frightened at night, said Joe Castelli, who lives at the neighboring Keauhou Kona Tennis and Racquet Club.

“They told me that they would see lights up there and hear Hawaiians singing and talking,” Castelli said. “…But when they got there, they didn’t find anything. So they said they just didn’t go anymore.”
Source

In addition, the haunting seemed to move as well to the Keauhou Beach Hotel next door. The former hotels are both demolished now, first the Kona Lagoon Hotel in 2004, then the Keauhou Beach Hotel in 2019. But what happened to the haunting then?

Today the area has been reclaimed and the site is now called Kahalu’u Ma Kai. Kahuna priests have blessed the land and the heiaus have been restored and recreated back in 2007. Only teachers and students can see the place today, and if these measures have had any effect is still to be seen.  

A Chilling Invitation

The Kona Sheraton on the Big Island may have offered luxury and relaxation, and perhaps it will do so again. After it reopened as OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, it remains to see if the land is now content after the blessings or if the haunting will continue as a new business takes over the land yet again. 

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References:

The Most Haunted Hotels in Hawaii | Haunted Rooms America

The Cursed Kona Lagoon Hotel 

Kona Lagoon Hotel may be torn down | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii’s Newspaper

Haunted Hawaii-Ghosts, Spirits, Night Marchers and more – 365 Kona 

Moʻo – Wikipedia

Ka Po‘e Mo‘o Akua: Hawaiian Reptilian Water Deities 9780824891091 – DOKUMEN.PUB

Hapaiali’i and Ke’eku Heiau, Big Island

King Kamalalawalu | Lovingthebigisland’s Weblog 

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The Haunting History of the Blaisdell Hotel: Spirits Linger in an Old Honolulu Landmark

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In the former hotel, now turned into a business building, the old Blaisdell Hotel is said to be haunted by more than one ghost. From former guests who died staying at the hotel to navy ghosts and another residing in the basement. 

The Blaisdell Hotel, built in 1912, is one of the oldest hotels in Hawai‘i, a relic from an era when Honolulu was a bustling hub for sailors, travelers, and adventurers. While it no longer serves as a hotel, the building now houses businesses and serves as the Hawai‘i Pacific University Sea Warrior Center.

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Despite its modern-day use, the Blaisdell Hotel is steeped in history—and ghostly legends that continue to haunt its hallways.

Blaisdell Hotel: Old photograph when the building was still used as a hotel. Although not used as a hotel, most of the haunted ghost stories from the building comes from its time operating.

Echoes of the Past: A Haunted Navy Man

During World War II, the Blaisdell Hotel was a popular spot for sailors seeking rest and relaxation. But some say that not all who checked in ever left. The third floor of the building is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a Navy man. Visitors and workers in the building have reported feeling a strange presence, a cold draft in otherwise warm hallways, and the inexplicable sensation of being watched. Some claim to have seen the ghostly figure of the sailor, clad in a crisp Navy uniform, wandering the halls as if still searching for something—or someone—long gone.

The Tragic Leap at the Blaisdell Hotel

The hotel’s dark history doesn’t end there. Javier Fombellida, a former elevator operator at the Blaisdell, recounts an unsettling tale he’s heard from tenants over the years. As he himself said in an interview:

“Sometimes I see … things, but I don’t believe in ghosts,” he says. “I always say it’s a shadow, or the light, or somebody’s probably there. Sometimes I want to see something, to make me a believer, you know?”
Source

According to local legend, a hotel guest once jumped out of a window on one of the upper floors, plummeting to her death. According to some sources, it is said this happened in the 1960s.

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While Fombellida himself hasn’t seen anything, the tenants tell stories of a little girl or a Hawaiian man appearing in the hallways, their figures fleeting and ghostly. Whether these apparitions are connected to the tragic jumper or other spirits that haunt the building remains a mystery.

The Haunted Building: Javier Fombellida operated the elevator at Blaisdell for years and has plenty of stories to tell. // Source: Images by John Hook/Fluxhawaii

Perhaps the most chilling story associated with the Blaisdell Hotel is the tale of a former owner in the 1980s who, stricken by despair, hanged himself in the building’s basement. According to the stories, he had a huge gambling debt. Fombellida has ventured into the basement and the legend is that the rope used in the tragic event remains intact. 

A Place Where Spirits Roam

Today, the Blaisdell Hotel stands as a piece of Honolulu’s history, a building that has seen countless lives pass through its doors. Yet, it seems that some of those lives never truly left. The ghosts of the past continue to make their presence known, haunting the building’s hallways, stairwells, and basement. Whether it’s the Navy man on the third floor, the tragic figure of the jumper, or the specter of the former owner, the Blaisdell Hotel is a place where the line between the living and the dead is blurred.

For those who work or visit the Blaisdell Hotel today, the stories serve as a chilling reminder that history is never truly in the past. The spirits of those who once walked its halls still linger, their stories woven into the very fabric of the building. And while not everyone may see or hear these ghosts, the eerie tales continue to be passed down, ensuring that the haunting history of the Blaisdell Hotel is never forgotten.

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References:

Haunted history | Honolulu Star-Advertiser 

5 Haunted Downtown Honolulu Hotspots

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The Gray Man of Pawleys Island: The Phantom Who Warns of Storms

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Right before horrible hurricanes, there is supposedly the ghost appearing to warn people to leave the island. Nicknamed The Gray Man of Pawleys Island, many attribute sightings of him to that their homes were spared from the destructive winds. 

Beneath the swaying Spanish moss and salt-laden winds of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a ghostly figure walks the shore — a silent sentinel wrapped in gray. Locals call him The Gray Man of Pawleys Island, a spectral presence who appears in the dead calm before a storm, his arrival as ominous as the thunderheads gathering on the horizon.

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A tiny, unassuming barrier island with a history as old and restless as the tides themselves, Pawleys Island is no stranger to storms. But when this ghostly figure emerges from the mist, wise islanders know to gather their families, pack their belongings, and head inland — for when the Gray Man appears, disaster is sure to follow.

Ghost Lore at Pawleys Islands: A serene beach scene at Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where the legendary The Gray Man of Pawleys Island is said to appear before storms to warn the locals.

The Legend Behind the Phantom

The tale of The Gray Man of Pawleys Island stretches back centuries, winding through the tangled history of colonial plantations, shipwrecks, and violent coastal tempests. Like all good ghost stories, there are several versions of his origin, though each ends in tragedy.

The most popular telling speaks of a young sailor, racing home to his beloved on horseback after a long voyage at sea. It is said that it was around 1822 and that he was coming from Charleston. Impatient to reach her side, he took a shortcut through the marshes of Pawleys Island, where both horse and rider became hopelessly mired in quicksand. Neither survived the night. 

The Marches of Pawleys Island: A tranquil pier stretches over the marshes of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, under an ominous sky. Is this where the ghost of the Gray Man comes from?

In some versions, he was a young master travelling with his manservant. His servant had to watch in horror as both his master and horse disappeared into the quicksand and had to be the one relaying the news to his girlfriend. 

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Ever since, his mournful spirit has wandered the shore, doomed to walk the beaches he longed to see in life.

Some say that his girlfriend mourned for ages after his passing. She used to take long walks on the beach they used to stroll on together before he died. It is said that one day while she was walking he appeared for the first time, warning her about an oncoming storm. Since then, he has repeated it for others walking the beach. 

The Ghost of George Pawley

Some locals, however, insist the Gray Man is none other than George Pawley, the island’s namesake, whose own stormy fate was lost to history. He was a prominent rice planter and original owner of the, although records show that he would have been a child when the first sighting occurred. Born in 1819, Charles Jeannerette Weston, was the original owner of the house on Pawleys Island now known as the Pelican Inn. 

He died of tuberculosis during the civil war and warns people about the weather as he once warned his neighbors about the risks of the oncoming war they would go through. 

Others claim he was a victim of one of the island’s devastating hurricanes in the early 19th century, one of many souls claimed by the Atlantic’s fury.

The Pelican Inn Ghost

Still another version of The Gray Man of Pawleys Island legend exists. Mrs. Eileen Weaver, owner of Pelican Inn, has encountered the Grey Man multiple times, whom she believes is someone from a nineteenth-century photograph. Her first sighting was during bread-making in the kitchen. She saw a woman with French features, dressed in a grey-and-white checkered dress with pearl buttons, observing them.

The Pelican Inn: a historic site in Pawleys Island, known for its ghostly encounters and connections to The Gray Man of Pawleys Island legend.

This spirit became a regular presence at Pelican Inn, with guests occasionally mistaking her for a living person. Mrs. Weaver also had an encounter with the Grey Man, dressed in period attire.

Mrs. Weaver’s daughter recounted a story about her sister-in-law, Gayle, who, while cleaning, felt tugs at her shirt tail. After realizing it couldn’t be anyone else, she suspected a spirit was present.

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Mrs. Weaver shared these experiences with historian Julian Stevenson Bolick, identifying photographs of a woman and a man resembling the spirits in her home. The pictures were of Mr. and Mrs. Mazyck, relatives of the original owners, the Westons, who inherited and operated the inn. Mrs. Weaver believes Mr. Mazyck’s spirit is the Grey Man.

A Harbinger of Hurricanes

While his backstory might vary, his purpose is chillingly consistent: to warn the living of approaching storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Gray Man’s appearances have become a spectral tradition in Pawleys Island folklore. One fisherman spotted the Grey Man in Murrells Inlet, a coastal town about 10 miles north of Pawleys Island.

Those who claim to have seen him describe a figure clothed entirely in gray, with an otherworldly stillness. He appears suddenly along the dunes or walking the tideline, sometimes speaking in a voice muffled by the wind — other times, offering only a solemn gaze before vanishing like mist.

The Ghost of the Gray Man: A year after the 200th anniversary of the Gray Man legend, he was spotted on Litchfield Beach during Idalia on August 30, 2023. The picture was taken during the early hours of Tropical Storm Idalia’s impacts. The photo was captured at 7:12 p.m. and appears to show a shadowy gray figure walking along the surf and dunes

His appearances are always followed by disaster.

In 1954, residents reported seeing The Gray Man of Pawleys Island mere hours before Hurricane Hazel unleashed its fury on the Carolina coast, leveling homes and taking lives.

In 1989, just days before the catastrophic arrival of Hurricane Hugo, witnesses claimed to have encountered the Gray Man, prompting some to evacuate while the skies were still deceptively calm. Residents Jim and Clara Moore were interviewed about these sightings on Unsolved Mysteries that aired in 1990. They told in their interview:

“You see so many people walking on the beach at that time of day. That particular afternoon we only saw the one, and he was coming directly toward us. When I got within speaking distance, I raised my hand to say ‘hi’ or ‘beautiful evening’ and he disappeared.”

As recently as September 2018, his shadow was spotted once again ahead of Hurricane Florence, sending seasoned locals scrambling to higher ground. The latest reports of him was in 2022 when Hurricane Ian closed in. 

The Gray Man of Pawleys Island With a Kind Streak

Oddly enough, the Gray Man’s warnings come with a peculiar side effect. In nearly every account, homes whose occupants have heeded his warning are spared the worst of the storm’s wrath. In a region battered by hurricanes for generations, this chilling coincidence has only deepened the legend.

One family recounted in local lore claims their home was left untouched by Hugo’s catastrophic winds and storm surge after a man in gray appeared at their door and urged them to flee. When they returned days later, their neighbors’ homes lay in splinters, while theirs stood unscathed — not a single window shattered.

The Lingering Spirit of the Lowcountry

To this day, Pawleys Island remains a place where the line between the living and the dead is paper-thin. It’s a land of antebellum ruins, restless marshes, and whispers carried on the tide. The Gray Man of Pawleys Island is perhaps its most famous specter, a reminder of the sea’s merciless power and the thin veil between this world and the next.

Ken Lane/Flickr

Visitors and locals alike know to keep a wary eye on the shoreline when the weather turns heavy. Because should you glimpse a figure cloaked in gray where no one should be — silent, watchful, and impossibly still — it might be time to pack up and run.

After all, when The Gray Man of Pawleys Island walks, the storm is never far behind.

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References:

The Gray Man (ghost) – Wikipedia

The Grey Man – Legendary Ghost of Pawleys Island

Hurricanes, history and hauntings – USC News & Events | University of South Carolina

Tales of The Grey Man – James W. Smith Vacation Rentals

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The Ghostly Guest of Moana Surfrider: Haunting of a Hawaiian Icon

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After the mysterious death of a wealthy guest, it is believed that the old Moana Surfrider is haunted by her ghost. What happened to Jane Stanford? Was she really killed or was it something else? And is she still haunting the hotel she died in, forever searching for her room?

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa, is one of Waikiki’s most luxurious and historic hotels. The Italian Renaissance style hotel was built in 1901, the grand Victorian-style hotel has stood the test of time, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and an ambiance steeped in elegance. It was the first luxury property along Waikiki Beach, now filled to the brim with big hotels and often called The First Lady of Waikiki. 

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However, behind the hotel’s pristine facade and charming atmosphere on the sunny beach, lies a chilling secret: the ghost of a famous guest who never truly checked out and is said to be haunting the hotel.

Haunted Hotel: The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach is believed to be haunted by more than one ghost. // Source: Wiki

The Mysterious Death of Jane Stanford

On February 28, 1905, Jane Stanford, the co-founder of Stanford University, met a tragic end at the Moana Surfrider, back then called Moana Hotel. Stanford was staying at the hotel to recover from a murder attempt on her life—a strychnine poisoning back in California. She hoped the Hawaiian air would be a healing escape from her troubles and her apparent enemies wanting her dead. However, fate had other plans.

Jane Elizabeth Lathrop Stanford: (1828–1905) was an American philanthropist and co-founder of Stanford University in 1885 with her husband, in memory of their only child who died of typhoid fever. After her husband’s death in 1893, she funded and operated the university almost single-handedly until her unsolved murder by strychnine poisoning in 1905.

That night, Stanford complained of feeling ill and soon succumbed to a mysterious second poisoning of some sort. Her death shocked the nation, and while some ruled it a natural heart attack, others whispered of foul play and lingering intrigue. 

As mentioned, it was not the first time she was poisoned. January the 14th the same year she was poisoned after drinking mineral water when she stayed at her mansion in Nob Hill in San Francisco. She managed to vomit the poison out. Her maid Bertha Berner was a suspect and fired, but never charged as there was seemingly no evidence, motive or leads. She was a trusted person who had served Stanford for twenty years, but she was also the only person present when the poisoning happened.

Sad and tired of it all, Stanford sailed to Hawaii to recuperate in the tropical air, thinking of continuing to Japan, but as circumstances would have it, she never left Hawaii. 

What really happened is still uncertain and the circumstances surrounding her death remain unsolved. Was it someone else that finally succeeded in taking her life, and what motive did they have? Or was she as many claimed, simply weakened from the last poisoning and died of an illness? 

The Lady in Search of Her Room

Many believe that Stanford’s spirit was left restless, forever tied to the place where her life was cut short. Over the years, guests and staff at the Moana Surfrider have reported eerie encounters with a spectral figure believed to be Jane Stanford herself. Dressed in early 20th-century clothing, her apparition is seen gliding through the hotel’s hallways, especially at night, searching as if trying to find her room. Some guests have spotted her walking through the hotel’s grand lobby or standing by the balcony, gazing out to the sea.

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Those who have seen her claim to feel a cold, inexplicable chill as she passes, her presence accompanied by the faint scent of lilies—the flower said to be Jane Stanford’s favorite. Others report hearing the sounds of a woman’s faint sobs or catching glimpses of her reflection in the windows and mirrors, only to turn and find no one there.

Unexplained Phenomena and Encounters

The mysterious sightings are not limited to Jane Stanford’s ghostly wanderings. Several guests have awakened in the middle of the night to find the room’s lights flickering or an odd sensation of someone sitting on the edge of their bed. Some hear light footsteps in the corridors outside their rooms, accompanied by an eerie whispering voice that seems to call out from nowhere.

Hotel staff often find doors that were securely closed left wide open, and objects have been reported to move on their own. One night guard swore he saw a woman matching Jane Stanford’s description walking toward the ocean. When he called out to her, she vanished before his eyes.

Other Ghosts Haunting the Moana Surfrider

But it is not the only ghost said to haunt the hotel. According to staff, there is also the ghost of a young girl, also wearing old fashioned clothes. It is said that the young ghost is often playing close to the staircase or wandering in the hallways at night. 

The Grand Staircase: This staircase at Moana Surfrider hotel is said to have ghosts lingering around it and. // Source: Wiki

A man in military uniform is also said to walk around the hotel. During world war two, the hotel was used as a recuperating place for soldiers coming and going to war. It is believed he was one of them and is often seen around the bar of the hotel or wandering the veranda, disappearing before other guests eyes. 

The Mysterious Banyan Tree

As well as ghosts of former guests, there are also spooky tales about the Banyan tree planted in 1904 at the hotel premises. There are many stories about Banyan trees and it is said to draw supernatural energy and spirits to it. According to some, the banyan tree will make them feel a certain way, perhaps peaceful, perhaps an unexplained sadness. There are also those claiming to have heard voices and something sounding like laughter coming from the tree itself. 

Beach Front Hotel: The Moana Surfrider overlooking Waikiki Beach. // Source: Wiki

The Moana Surfriders haunted history has become part of its allure, attracting paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous ghost of Jane Stanford searching for her room. A thing she never will though as it is no longer there as it was removed to make the lobby bigger.

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References:

The Oldest Hotel In Hawaii Is Also One Of The Most Haunted Places You’ll Ever Sleep 

Haunted Hospitality: 10 Haunted Historic Hotels of America 

Hotel History in Honolulu, Hawaii | Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

The Haunted Moana Surfrider 

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The Murdered Man Wandering the Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City

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Wandering through the Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the ghost of a young man murdered there is said to haunt it after he was brutally murdered. Now, he is lingering, still looking for his love.

Are you a fan of ghost stories and haunted places? Then you won’t want to miss the spooky tale of Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or Công viên Tao Đàn as it is in Vietnamese. 

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This serene green space, known for its beautiful gardens and cultural events, has a dark side that few know about. This side of the park came to light when a travel site called Rough Guides published an article about the most terrifying haunted places in the world; the park was included in 2013. From the tragic history of the park’s creation to the eerie sightings of ghostly apparitions, Tao Đàn Park is steeped in a history of horror and mystery. 

Tao Đàn Park: A serene view of the lotus pond and lush greenery at Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, showcasing its cultural beauty. However, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered man.// Source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA

The History of Tao Đàn Park

Tao Đàn Park is a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike. The park behind the Reunification Palace and ancient temples covers an area of over 10 hectares as a green space in Ho Chi Minh City. It is known for its beautiful gardens, playgrounds, and cultural events. It has a pool, tennis courts and a sculpture garden. However, few people know about the dark history of the park’s creation.

The Green Lung of Ho Chi Minh City: A beautifully crafted topiary of a dragon in Tao Đàn Park, showcasing the park’s artistic landscaping among the lush greenery. // Source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA

The park was built in the late 19th century during the French colonial period in the 1860s and called it Jardin de la Ville. After the French left in 1954, the Vietnamese took the park back and named it Tao Đàn Park.

Now, it is a lit up and green place for relaxation and fresh air. But those who have seen the park grow, have also seen its darker times a couple of decades ago when it was more drugs, robberies and suicides happening in the park after dark. 

Haunted Stories and Legends Associated with Tao Đàn Park

A legend told about the Tao Đàn Park is the ghost of the murdered man. In this story, a man was walking through the park with his girlfriend in 2007. They were attacked and murdered, at least the man. His girlfriend was most certainly attacked and in need of help. 

Now the man is roaming around the park as a ghost, looking for the love he lost. Although his motives are honorable, it is said he is frightening the visitors who have wandered into the park after dark. Especially the first days of July you can hear his mournful cries throughout the park.

The Motorbike Murder

Did the murder really happen though, or is it simply a widespread legend? According to the park officials and the police, there never was such a murder inside of the park, at least not the way the story tells it. 

According to Cong An Newspaper, the official murder that happened in the park was in July, 1989 when Nguyen Diet Hoang Tuan, a young man on a motorbike was robbed and murdered by one he believed was his friend and his accomplice. He had been told to be in the park to potentially sell his bike, but the men he met lured him there to murder him and steal his bike instead. 

He was found dead in a pile of trash in the corner of the park, but the case was soon resolved as his sister saw the perpetrators on his motorbike. 

Even so, the legend about the ghost of the man wandering the park has taken hold. Some who know the story about Nguyen Diet Hoang Tuan, say that it is in fact him haunting the park, looking for his murders and seeking revenge. 

A Part of a Paranormal Marketing Strategy?

Many visitors to Tao Đàn Park have reported strange and eerie experiences. Some have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, while others have heard mysterious noises and voices. One visitor reported feeling a cold breeze and seeing a shadowy figure near the lake, while another reported feeling an invisible hand touching their shoulder.

The Mysterious Tomb: In the park, there is also an old tomb that has given root to many legends. However, according to many studies by archaeologists, the tomb was built in the year of At Mao (1795). The person in the tomb is Mr. Lam Tam Lang who died in the fall of At Mao (1795) and Mrs. Mai Thi Xa – his wife. The Lam family was originally from Guangdong. // Source

On the other hand, there are the locals that deny that anything spooky has ever happened in the park and that the whole story of the park being one of Vietnam’s most haunted places is laughable at best. So what is it? A ghost story crafted from the outside as a marketing scheme or a true local legend?

The Mystery of the Tao Đàn Park

Tao Đàn Park may be a beautiful green space, but it has a dark and haunted past that few people know about. From the tragic history of the park’s creation to the eerie sightings of ghostly apparitions, Tao Đàn Park is steeped in a history of horror and mystery.

Despite its haunted reputation, the park remains an important part of Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural heritage. In fact, many believe that the ghost story was invented for the tourist looking for the spooky side of the world. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and its beautiful gardens and cultural events continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Whether you’re a fan of ghost stories or simply looking for a unique and eerie experience, Tao Đàn Park is a destination that should not be missed. So, are you brave enough to visit?

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References:

Saigon Urban Legends: Haunted Tao Dan Park

Thực hư chuyện Tao Đàn có… ma

Lời đồn đoán ma ám và những bí ẩn trong công viên Tao Đàn

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The Haunted Lodge at Koele: Spirits in Paradise at the Four Seasons Resort

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The Four Seasons has now taken over what was once the Lodge at Koele. This hotel is believed to be haunted by multiple ghosts. Did something happen at the resort a long time ago, or has it something to do with Lanai Island being the place of nightmare?

In the lush highlands of Lanai Island in Hawaii, the Sensei Lanai A Four Seasons Resort, stands as a beacon of luxury and tranquility, offering visitors a unique retreat far removed from the typical Hawaiian beachfront resorts. Lanai is the 6th biggest island in Hawaii and often known as the Pineapple Island. Surrounded by towering Cook pines and immaculate gardens, this stunning Four Seasons resort is an idyllic escape for those seeking serenity and elegance. 

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The Sensei Lanai: A Four Seasons Resort was formerly called The Lodge at Koele and is still mentioned as such when talking about the legends surrounding the location. Because beneath its peaceful facade, The Lodge at Koele harbors a chilling secret—it is considered one of the most haunted hotels in all of Hawaii.

View from Lanai: Four Seasons Resort Lanai is a Four Seasons resort hotel located in Lanai City on the island of Lānaʻi, the smallest and least inhabited of Hawaii’s six major islands that once was recognized for its pineapple plantation. The island of Lānaʻi hosts two other hotels, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort (previously known as “The Lodge at Koele”), and Hotel Lanai, a 3-star boutique hotel. // Flickr

The Lodge at Koele and its History Shrouded in Mystery

The Four Season Resort, or The Lodge at Koele, is built in the style of an English manor house and opened its doors to guests seeking refuge in Lanai’s cool uplands. The property was designed to exude charm and sophistication, and its location amidst the island’s rolling hills and verdant landscape only enhances its appeal. However, despite the Lodge’s refined atmosphere, it has become the center of numerous ghostly tales that have unnerved even the most seasoned travelers.

The haunted resort: Main building of the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele on the island of Lanai, Hawaii. // Terence Faircloth/Flickr

The hotel’s history is largely free of tragic events or grisly tales that might typically account for its haunted reputation. Unlike other haunted locations tied to specific incidents or individuals, The Lodge at Koele’s hauntings are steeped in mystery, with no clear explanation as to why so many spirits have chosen to linger in this otherwise peaceful place.

The Ghostly Girl in the Guests’ Rooms

One of the most frequently reported apparitions at The Lodge is that of a little girl, who has been seen by numerous guests over the years. Descriptions of her vary, but most accounts describe her as having long dark hair, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, and appearing suddenly in the middle of the night. Often, she is seen standing silently at the foot of the bed or in a corner of the room, watching the occupants with a solemn expression. She never speaks, and after a few moments, she vanishes as quickly as she appeared.

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Some have even recounted feeling the sensation of small hands gently tugging at their sheets or hearing the faint sound of a child’s laughter echoing through the corridors, only to find no one there.

Spirits with No Known Origin

The Lodge at Koele is said to be home to multiple spirits, though none have been definitively identified. Besides the little girl, guests and staff have reported other inexplicable occurrences—flickering lights, sudden drops in temperature, and the feeling of being watched, particularly in the hotel’s older wings. Some claim to have seen shadowy figures moving through the hallways or glimpsed a spectral presence in the mirrors, only for it to disappear when they turned around.

What makes the hauntings at The Lodge particularly unsettling is the absence of any known backstory to explain them. There are no documented tragedies, no historic battles fought on the land, and no records of individuals who might have left a lingering presence. The spirits seem to have gathered here without reason, making their presence all the more inexplicable and eerie.

It is said that Lanai was shunned by the early Hawaiians thought and believed that the island was so haunted by the god of nightmares, Pahulu. This god was so vicious and powerful that no human could ever live there. 

The thing is that, people have, at least for the past 1000 years. 

A Paranormal Paradox in Paradise

The Lodge at Koele offers guests a paradoxical experience—an escape into the serene beauty of Lanai, juxtaposed with the unsettling presence of the unknown. It is a place where luxury and the supernatural coexist, where the quiet elegance of the resort is occasionally interrupted by the unexplained.

For those who seek a vacation with a touch of the otherworldly, The Lodge at Koele offers a unique opportunity. It is a place where the spirits of the past seem content to stay, adding a layer of intrigue and mystery to an already enchanting destination. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a stay at The Lodge at Koele might just leave you with more questions than answers—and perhaps a story to tell about the little girl who visited you in the night.

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References:

https://www.riseupparanormal.com/hawaii.htm

In Depth in Lanai

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The Haunted Jenny Dixon Beach and Wilfred Barret Drive

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One of the most haunted beaches in the world is said to be the Jenny Dixon Beach in New South Wales. Here, the last decades have been filled with stories of vanishing hitchhikers along the roads as well as older ghosts coming in from the sea. 

The sun-drenched coasts of New South Wales, Australia, are known for their rolling surf, golden sands, and laid-back seaside towns. But there’s one beach where the lapping waves seem to carry more than seashells and driftwood. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Australia

Beneath the tourist-friendly veneer of Jenny Dixon Beach lies a sorrowful, sinister past — one whispered about in local pubs and by late-night campfires.

Jenny Dixon Beach: This beach in New South Wales, known for its ghost stories and haunting legends and is to find on most of the “most haunted” lists of haunted beaches in the world.

The Hitchhiker of Wilfred Barrett Drive

One of the ghost legends haunting the beach actually comes from Wilfred Barret Drive, a stretch of road along the beach between Magenta and Noraville, and is the ghost of a vanishing hitchhiker, now called Jenny Dixon by the locals. 

Horror Movie: The Ghost Story inspired the 2011 horror film Jenny Dixon Beach and has attracted many curious paranormal investigators hoping to communicate with her.

It was sometime in the 1970s when an unspeakable act of violence left its stain on this otherwise idyllic coastline. Or, as the area was nicknamed  “the child abuse capital of NSW” by The Daily Telegraph in 2022, perhaps it was never peaceful at all. Some even claim that the murder was as early as the 1950s. 

According to local legend, a young woman was hitchhiking along Wilfred Barrett Drive, the road that skirts the dunes by Jenny Dixon Beach. In many variations of the legend she was headed home from work. She was picked up by a group of men, often said to be five. Instead of offering her a safe ride, subjected her to a brutal assault on the Jenny Dixon Beach. 

They left her to die alone on that dark beach or maybe in the bushes close to it. Some say that she was found there, dead, some say that she was still alive when they found her, but died a few days later of her injuries. The police had nothing to go on. Her killers were never caught. Justice, it seems, got lost somewhere between the trees and the tide.

But the woman’s restless spirit didn’t stay buried with her in those coastal sands. It is said that her ghost lingered for revenge. Some say that a group of five men died in horrible and mysterious ways over the course of the next few years. One hanged himself. One died in a car accident, claiming that someone walked in front of his car in his dying breath. One drove off a cliff and one either died of a self-inflicted gunshot or ran his car over an embankment after picking the ghost up in his car, driving him mad when no one believed him. Before they died, they allegedly complained about seeing and hearing things before they died. 

For decades, drivers traveling Wilfred Barrett Drive at night have reported seeing a woman in white, pale and sorrowful, walking the roadside. She is also said to be seen close to the Nora Head cemetery where it is believed the girl is buried. 

Some have even claimed to pick her up. She rides in the car for a while, sitting in the backseat, murmuring little or nothing at all, before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind only the lingering scent of cigarette smoke.

The Truth Behind the Hitchhiking Murder Victim

According to most sources, there seems to be more police reports about people seeing the ghost of the hitchhiker from Wilfred Barret Drive than about the murder she supposedly died from. Local people as well as those just travelling through not knowing about the legend are supposedly seeing the vanishing hitchhiker from time to time. 

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The part about the men seeing and hearing things before they died is also a classical horror trope from books and movies, but if you talk about the stories in the surrounding neighborhoods, they will definitely know what you talk about as well as having a few stories of their own. 

A real case connected with the ghost story is the disappearance of the Holmes sisters from the 1950s. Eighteen year old Grace and her little sister, eleven year old Kathleen went for a walk to Norah Head lighthouse and never returned. 

A day later, their dead bodies were found in a swamp close to Tuggerah Lake. A local fisherman was suspected and even charged for their murder, but was never convicted. 

Today the case remains unsolved. 

The Woman from the Janet Dixon Ship

But the hitchhiker isn’t the only ghost said to roam Jenny Dixon Beach, and this one comes from a much older time. 

In 1973, four terrified campers burst into town with a story straight from a nightmare. The group of 12 year old boys that had been camping on the beach, claimed a woman in a long, old-fashioned dress appeared to them in the dead of night, reaching out from the shadows with desperate, pleading hands. The boys said they threw sticks at her, but they went right through her transparent body. They ran up the stairs from the beach towards the car park, but she followed them, still with her arms outstretched towards them. She vanished before their eyes, leaving behind a bone-deep chill and footprints in the sand where no one should have been.

Local historians tie this spirit to a maritime tragedy: the wreck of the Janet Dixon, the coal schooner from which the beach takes its name. It was passing through Norah Head, just south of Jenny Dixon Beach by the Tasman sea. Because of the unfamiliar coastline of at least seven ships wrecked in these parts between 1871 to 1903. This was when the lighthouse was built. 

In the mid-19th century, the ship was lost to the treacherous waters off the Central Coast. One woman — thought to be the captain’s wife or a passenger — washed ashore at what would later become Jenny Dixon Beach. Her young son, who had been aboard with her, never did.

This story has also been attributed to Raymond Grove who lives close to the beach, and he spent the rest of his life trying to find out who she was. This is most likely also where the story of a grieving mother searching for her son comes from. 

Since that night, the woman is said to roam the shore, searching for her lost child, her sorrow carried on every crashing wave.

The Haunted Jenny Dixon Beach

Jenny Dixon Beach is a strikingly beautiful place to visit by day. The waves sparkle, the sand is soft, and the headlands offer a stunning sunset view. But when the sun dips below the horizon and the ocean turns black as ink, the beach’s other side awakens.

If you ever find yourself driving that lonely stretch of Wilfred Barrett Drive after midnight and a lone figure appears on the roadside, pale and dressed in white, do yourself a favor:

Keep driving.

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References:

The Ghost at Jenny Dixon Beach Urban Legend – Central Coast News

Hacks is one of the best shows on TV and the new season is now streaming on Stan. 

Jenny Dixon Beach Ghost – Unexplained Australia

The Legend Of The Ghost at Jenny Dixon Beach 

How creepy ghost stories help us deal with the real-life trauma that haunts us