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The Ghostly Tales of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

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Plenty of students trying to study in the Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa claim to have encountered the ghost said to wander down the aisles of the library after dark. Who is the ghost wearing the pink muumuu and what does she seek?

On the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hamilton Library is a haven for students seeking knowledge, solace, and a quiet place to study. However, beneath its scholarly exterior, this library holds more than just books and academic resources. For years, it has been the epicenter of chilling encounters, with custodians, students, and staff alike reporting eerie experiences that suggest the library is haunted by spirits that refuse to leave.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Tucked away on the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii in the Manoa Valley, Hamilton Library’s reputation as a haunted hotspot is well-known among those who frequent its halls, particularly in the late hours. Many students, burning the midnight oil during exam season, have claimed to hear disembodied whispers and the soft rustling of pages in the empty aisles, as if unseen hands were leafing through the books. Some have even reported feeling a sudden drop in temperature, a cold breath on their necks, or the sensation of being watched, only to find the aisle deserted when they turn around.

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The Woman in the Pink Muumuu

Among the most spine-chilling stories to emerge from Hamilton Library is the tale of the young woman in the pink muumuu. This apparition has been seen by several custodians over the years, always in the same location: the mauka wing of the first floor. The woman, dressed in a traditional Hawaiian muumuu, is described as having a serene yet sorrowful expression, as she silently wanders the aisles.

First Floor: Source

One custodian recounted a particularly eerie encounter with the pink muumuu-clad ghost. While mopping the floors late at night, he glanced up and saw her standing at the end of the aisle, her figure partially obscured by the shadows. Believing her to be a lost student, he approached to offer assistance, but as he neared, she simply vanished into thin air, leaving him alone with the mop bucket and his racing heart. After that night, the custodian refused to work alone in the mauka wing again.

Other Haunted Spots at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Although one of the more well known haunted spots on campus, it’s certainly not the only one. Hale Mokihana Dormitory is known for its eerie ghost stories, particularly concerning its ninth floor, which is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a former student who tragically took his own life in the 1980s or early 90s. Numerous reports describe a ghostly figure resembling a young man, seen wandering the halls and often accompanied by sudden temperature drops and mysterious sounds.

Read the whole story: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: The Ghost of the Ninth Floor of Hale Mokihana

Some students have had unnerving encounters, claiming to see a dark figure at the foot of their bed stating, “This is my room. I died here.” While the university hasn’t officially confirmed the suicide, the legend persists, leading to varying accounts about which specific room or area is most haunted, with room 406 frequently mentioned.

Ghostly Residue in Hamilton Library

What could be the cause of these paranormal phenomena? Some speculate that the library was built on land with a tumultuous past, possibly disturbed burial grounds or sites of ancient Hawaiian rituals. Others believe the spirits are tied to the books themselves—perhaps the remnants of those who devoted their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and now refuse to leave their beloved sanctuary.

Students and staff have come to accept these hauntings as part of Hamilton Library’s unique atmosphere. Some are even comforted by the idea that they share the library with these restless spirits, who seem to be as committed to the pursuit of learning as the living. However, for those who have encountered the ghostly woman in the pink muumuu or heard the eerie footsteps in the dead of night, the library’s haunted reputation is all too real.

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The Contessa Condominium: Honolulu’s Most Haunted High-Rise

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37 floors of ghosts. That is what they say about the Honolulu High Rise building, The Contessa Condominium. Built on top of what some think was a cemetery for the small pox victims, could they be haunting this place?

Across from the Hawaiian Humane Society, The Contessa Condominium in Honolulu is an unsuspecting tower of modern living, but beneath its polished exterior lies a sinister reputation. Some call it the most haunted building in all of Honolulu—a place where restless spirits roam the halls, where shadows lurk in every corner of the 37-story building, and where residents have reported eerie encounters that send shivers down the spine. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Ghost tours have The Contessa Condominium as a stop and even websites with listings of the apartments for sale or rent mentions the haunting tales around the building and try to divert the attention away from the stories. But many who do are left with tales of unexplained happenings and ghostly apparitions and end up leaving because of it.

The Contessa Condominium: Source

Legend of the Apartment Building

But why is The Contessa Condominium haunted? There are many theories floating around, but many claim that the building was built upon an old burial place. It was at least built where the Kamoiliili Church was located with its cemetery until it was demolished in the late 60s. 

According to some there were many thousand people, up to perhaps 5000 people who died in the smallpox epidemic back in 1910 buried there. There is also the graveyard right next to it that people claim to see orbs float around. Could this be the reason behind the hauntings?

In fact, according to some, there were 466 bodies they exhumed in September in 1968 and moved to another cemetery. It is said that the bodies were re-buried at the Kawaiahao Church’s cemetery.

This upset many of the body’s relatives who even sued because of it. It was also said that only 206 of the exhumed bodies were even identified. Some say that not all the bones were removed as well and the spirits they belong to are now haunting The Contessa Condominium which was built in 1971. 

A few have claimed to see shadowy figures darting in and out of view in their peripheral vision and some people claiming to be very receptive to the supernatural straight up have refused to go inside The Contessa Condominium because of what they see. 

Others have heard footsteps trailing them as they walk through the building, only to turn around and find no one there. The elevator reaches the ground floor carrying only ghosts into the lobby. Some even swear they’ve heard disembodied laughter echoing down the stairwells in the dead of night—a chilling sound that starts softly and grows louder before fading away.

Ghostly Residents: The Ghost Dog and the Old Woman

Among the many entities said to haunt The Contessa Condominium, two stand out. First is the Ghost Dog that roams the grounds. Residents and passersby alike have reported seeing a spectral canine darting across the lawn or wandering the perimeter. Often described as a small, dark-colored dog, the apparition seems harmless at first glance—just a stray looking for a home. But those who have seen it up close swear that it is anything but ordinary. The dog appears suddenly and vanishes just as quickly, leaving behind no paw prints or evidence of its presence. Some claim to hear its faint whimpering at night, a mournful sound that echoes through the building’s halls, even when no animals are present.

But the spectral dog is not alone. There is also the ghost of an old woman who lingers at the bus stop in front of the building. She is often seen late at night, sitting quietly as if waiting for a bus that never comes. Witnesses describe her as wearing old-fashioned clothing, with a forlorn look on her face. Some have attempted to speak to her, only for her to vanish into thin air the moment they approach. Bus drivers passing by have reported seeing her too, a solitary figure under the dim glow of the streetlight, only to disappear in a blink. Rumor has it that she is a former resident who died tragically, and now, her spirit waits at the bus stop for eternity.

A History of Tragedy: Suicides

The Contessa Condominium’s dark reputation is further compounded by its history of suicides that are said to have happened more frequent inside of the building than other places. 

Over the years it is said that several residents have taken their own lives within the building’s walls, leaving a lingering shadow over the property. Some say the atmosphere in certain units is thick and oppressive, as if the very walls have absorbed the despair of those who came before. 

Read More: Check out the story The Haunted Legends of Grand Paradi Towers in Mumbai

This is for now just an anecdotal rumor that goes along with the rest of the ghost stories, and there really aren’t any true numbers we can have a look at. 

Living with the Spirits in The Contessa Condominium

Is The Contessa Condominium truly haunted, or is it simply a place where the tragedies of the past have left a deep, lingering mark? For those brave enough to live at The Contessa, the supernatural presence is just part of life. 

Some residents have made peace with the ghosts, acknowledging their existence but choosing not to be afraid. Others, however, find it hard to stay for long, citing the building’s unsettling energy and the ever-present feeling of being watched. A few have even broken their leases, convinced that something malevolent lurks within the building’s walls.

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References:

Contessa Condos for Sale in Moiliili, Honolulu 

A Glimpse of Hawaii – Jeanne Moore Writes

Kamo‘o‘ili‘ili Hawaiian Church Cemetery in Hawaii 

The Eerie Eight: Lopaka Kapanui’s Top Oʻahu Hauntings — Abstract 

The Haunting of Huliheʻe Palace: A Hawaiian Royal Ghost Story

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Are the ghosts of Hawaiian royalty haunting the Huliheʻe Palace? Who is it people claim to see in the shadows of the old building on the Big Island?

On the shores of Kailua-Kona on Hawaiʻi Big Island, the Huliheʻe Palace stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of Hawaii’s royal past. Built in 1838 by Governor John Adams Kuakini as his home, this grand two-story structure served as a luxurious vacation home for Native Hawaiian royalty on Ali’i Drive, the main street of the city. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

With its stuccoed walls and airy verandas, the palace is a striking symbol of Hawaii’s monarchy and the blending of Hawaiian and Western architectural styles. Back in the day it was a great summer place for a get-away as well as the location for grand parties. It was left to decay in 1914 though, but the Daughters of Hawaii took over it in 1928 and has since used the building as a museum. But beyond its historical significance and beauty, the palace is also known for something far more eerie—its haunted reputation.

The Haunted Summer Vacation Home: Hulihee Palace between 1883 and 1905. The palace was originally built by John Adams Kuakini, Governor of the island of Hawaiʻi during the Kingdom of Hawaii, out of lava rock.

The Ghost of Princess Kaʻiulani

Among the many spirits believed to haunt the Huliheʻe Palace, the most commonly encountered is that of Princess Kaʻiulani, the last heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne. The young princess, known for her grace, intelligence, and beauty, is said to still wander the palace she once adored. Visitors and staff have reported sightings of a delicate figure moving through the corridors, dressed in flowing white gowns typical of her era. Her apparition is often seen gazing wistfully out to sea, as if longing for the life she was destined for but never lived to see fulfilled.

Princess Kaʻiulani: Victoria Kawēkiu Kaʻiulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn (1875 – 1899). She had not yet reached her eighteenth birthday when the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom altered her life. She and Liliʻuokalani boycotted the 1898 annexation ceremony and mourned the loss of Hawaiian independence.

Alongside these sightings, there have been frequent reports of soft, ghostly footsteps echoing through the halls, even when the palace is otherwise empty. More chilling still is the sudden and unexplained scent of fresh flowers—plumeria or pikake, believed to be a sign of Princess Kaʻiulani’s presence. Those who have experienced these phenomena describe feeling a mix of sadness and serenity, a quiet reminder of the princess’s untimely death at the age of 23.

Otherworldly Encounters at Huliheʻe

Princess Kaʻiulani is not the only spirit rumored to linger at Huliheʻe Palace and around the ceremonial execution stones, Pohaku Likanaka. They are also accompanied with sacred artifacts called Pohaku, or walking stones, said to carry a curse and known to move around.

Some claim to have encountered other royal apparitions, including Queen Kapiʻolani and King Kalākaua. Their presence is often felt during quiet moments, particularly in the evenings when the palace is closed to the public. Staff members recount strange occurrences: flickering lights, objects moving on their own, and the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes.

Read More: Check out The Haunting of ʻIolani Palace: Echoes of Royal Spirits where the king and queen are also thought to haunt.

There are also reports about the place being haunted by the ghost of a young Hawaiian boy. Who he was and why he chose to haunt the place for eternity is uncertain. Could it be that of Prince Albert, said to haunt the place as well? He is said to be peeking through the window on the upper floors where his cradle is displayed. 

The Palace of Restless Spirits

For those who believe in the supernatural, Huliheʻe Palace serves as a bridge between the past and the present—a place where the spirits of Hawaii’s royalty continue to watch over their former domain. Each room seems to echo with whispers of the past, and each corner holds the potential for an encounter with those who once walked its halls.

The Huliheʻe Palace: Located in historic Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, on Aliʻi Drive. The former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, it was converted to a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, showcasing furniture and artifacts. // Source: Wikimedia

Step carefully, for you may find yourself in the company of a princess, still longing for a kingdom that slipped away. As the scent of flowers fills the air, remember—you are not alone. The royals are always watching, their spirits forever intertwined with the land they loved.

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References:

Kona’s Fascinating History: Hulihe’e Palace | Lovingthebigisland’s Weblog 

Hulihee Palace, Hawaii | Roadtrippers

Haunted Hawaii Hulihe‘e Palace – Kailua-Kona Ghost Walk 

Huliheʻe Palace – Wikipedia

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: The Ghost of the Ninth Floor of Hale Mokihana

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Who is haunting the ninth floor in one of the dormitories at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa? For years, legend has told that the ghost of a former student is haunting the Hale Mokihana, still claiming the room as his own. 

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, whispers of ghost stories and strange happenings are often shared among the student body, but none are quite as chilling as the haunting of Hale Mokihana Dormitory and the ghosts said to haunt it. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Tucked away on the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii in the Manoa Valley, this residence hall appears like any other—until you hear the stories about its notorious ninth floor. The Hale Mokihana is part of the Hale Aloha Towers built between 1970-71 and houses around 260 students in each tower. 

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The Tragic Past of a Former Student at the Ninth Floor

Legend has it that in the early 1990s or perhaps the 80s according to some sources, a freshman student took his own life in one of the rooms. His name has been lost to time, but his story lingers in the memories of those who live and work at Hale Mokihana. Since that tragic event, the dormitory’s ninth floor has been shrouded in an aura of sorrow and mystery.

Students and staff have reported seeing a ghostly figure wandering the halls of the dorm, often late at night. The apparition is usually described as a young man in his early twenties, often seen standing near doorways or walking slowly down the hallway.

Many who have encountered the spirit report an inexplicable drop in temperature as they pass him. Others describe hearing faint whispers, just at the edge of perception, that seem to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. The faint sound of shuffling footsteps, the creak of a door opening and closing, and the soft, mournful sighs echoing down the corridor are common occurrences, leaving residents unsettled and unable to sleep.

Ghosts Whispering: “This Is My Room”

The most unnerving experiences, however, happen within the confines of the dorm rooms themselves. Some students report waking up in the middle of the night, only to find a dark figure standing at the foot of their bed. At first, they assume it’s a roommate or another student—until they hear the words: “This is my room. I died here.”

As the stunned student blinks and rubs their eyes, the figure slowly fades away, leaving nothing but the lingering chill of his presence. Some have even reported feeling a light touch on their shoulder or hearing a gentle breath against their ear, followed by that chilling declaration.

For those who encounter him, it is an experience they will never forget—an encounter that often drives them to request a room change or even move out of the dorm altogether.

Unsolved Mysteries and Lingering Spirits at Hale Mokihana

What makes the haunting of Hale Mokihana particularly eerie is the lack of concrete details. The university has never confirmed or denied the suicide in the dorm, leaving the legend to grow and evolve with each retelling. 

But what room was the most haunted one exactly? According to some it was in a janitor’s closet on the side of the bathrooms with a sink in it he hanged himself. Or was it actually the entire ninth floor as some claim? 

According to another source, room 406 has also had strange things happening in the dead of night attributed to the dorm ghost. 

The Haunted Frear Hall at The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

It is not only the Hala Mokihana Dorms said to be a haunted location at the University. The Frear Hall close to the Gateway House is said to be haunted by Mary Dillingham Frear. According to the stories, she is wandering around the halls with a keychain she was known for carrying in life. It is also said that she leaves her perfume scent hanging in the air. 

Source

According to stories told by students and staff, they can hear her footsteps in the empty halls, even during daylight. It is also said that you can sometimes see flickering lights in the empty dorms as well as getting a feeling of being watched by someone, or something. 

The Eternal Resident of Hale Mokihana

It is said that every few years, a new wave of students discovers the truth about Hale Mokihana’s haunted history. Some stay out of curiosity, eager to experience the paranormal; others quickly pack their bags and transfer to another building, unwilling to share their living space with a ghost who claims the room as his own.

So, if you find yourself assigned to Hale Mokihana’s ninth floor, be prepared. You might wake up one night to find a shadowy figure at the end of your bed, reminding you that, for some, this dormitory was—and always will be—their final resting place.

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References:

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

Weird Hawaii: The Strange Occurrence in Room 406 

Moki Hana – the Haunted Dormitory | USC Digital Folklore Archives 

A unique history behind every dorm | Features | manoanow.org 

Haunted places on campus | Features | manoanow.org 

The Eerie Eight: Lopaka Kapanui’s Top Oʻahu Hauntings — Abstract 

The Haunted Halls of Honolulu Hale: Ghosts in City Hall

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Is the City Hall in Honolulu, Hawai’i haunted? According to staff working there, the Honolulu Hale has more than one ghost wandering its hall. From ghostly children running in the building, and the ghost of a woman hanging around the bathroom, this place’s activity continues after dark. 

Honolulu Hale, the iconic City Hall in the capital of Hawai’i there have long been whispers about it being haunted. The building was built in 1927/28, in a stately Mediterranean-style facade on 530 South King Street. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The Honolulu Hall is not just a hub of civic activity—it’s also a hotspot for ghostly encounters. While Honolulu Hale is well-known for its political significance, it seems to hold secrets far more mysterious than any municipal affair.

Honolulu Hale: The City Hall of Honolulu, showcases its iconic Mediterranean-style architecture amidst lush surroundings. For a long time, this building had been thought to be haunted, and legend says its not only one ghost.

The Ghostly Employee of the City Hall

There are many stories about who and what is haunting the building although the details of the haunting seems to be lost in time. Still, there are some rumors that seem to echo through the halls and many staff and visitors talk about the sound of children playing in the building. After dark when no one is suppose to be there, the sound of their laughter and playful cries can be heard.  

There are also talks about the apparition of a female and there are several theories about who she was. Could it be the spirit of Princess Ka’iulani as some are suggesting? Could it be the ghost of a former employee perhaps?

No matter who it is, it seems that the ghosts haunting the Honolulu Hale disturbs the workers there, even during working hours. Staff members working today have reported hearing the sounds of file cabinets opening and slamming shut in empty rooms. The clicking of typewriter keys—long outdated and obsolete—has been heard echoing through the corridors, despite no visible typist.

The White Woman in the Bathroom

In addition to the ghostly children and the mysterious woman in the offices and hallways, there is said to be the ghost of a woman in white haunting the bathroom on the second floor. 

The other story is about two women who are arguing on the third floor. They are never seen, but can be heard by the security staff at night. But of course, when they investigate it, there is no one there. It is said that two female employees heard them when working late, and they swore they would never work after hours again.

Listen to a security guard working in the city hall tell about his experiences:

A Haunting Legacy

Is Honolulu Hale truly haunted by a restless spirit, a former employee who refuses to clock out, or are these experiences simply the result of overactive imaginations? Some say the building’s history has seeped into its very foundations, with its long corridors and shadowed corners holding onto energies of the past.

The Haunted City Hall: The iconic Honolulu Hale, City Hall of Honolulu, renowned for its Mediterranean-style architecture and rumored ghostly encounters. Punchbowl Street side of new wing, Honolulu Hale.

Some also said that the basement was used as a morgue to store dead bodies after the tragedy of Pearl Harbor and that the spirits lingering in the city hall comes from this tragedy. 

As City Hall continues its daily operations, the ghostly happenings serve as a reminder that not all history stays buried. For those who walk its halls, Honolulu Hale is more than just a place of governance; it is a place where the living and the dead may very well meet, each quietly observing the other, separated only by the thin veil of time.

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References:

Haunted Honolulu: These Are The Creepiest Places In Oahu 

Haunted Hawai‘i: My Personal Experience With the Supernatural and the Unexplained

Honolulu Hale – Wikipedia 

The Haunting of Kaimuki House: A Tale of Terror and Tragedy

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One of the most well known haunted house stories in Hawaii is said to be inside of a mysterious house mostly known as the Kaimuki House. Throughout the decades, tenants and owners have gone through terrible ordeals they all claim is from something supernatural, and that the entity of the house wants to hurt them. 

In the quiet neighborhood of Kaimuki, Honolulu, stands a house that has long been the source of fear and whispered legends. Known simply as the Kaimuki House, this unassuming residence harbors a dark and terrifying past that continues to send shivers down the spines of those who dare to recount its story.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The Kaimuki neighborhood is filled with many older homes where sometimes many generations have never sold once. The houses on the rolling hills between Kapahulu to the west and Kahala to the east was mostly first built in the 1940s, some as early as the 1910s. Today though, many of the original houses has been torn down to give way to newer one. 

One of the things that made people move here initially was actually the 1900 Chinatown fire in Honolulu. Many of the Chinese and Asian families who were left homeless made a new start her, and when we have a closer look to the haunted rumors, seems to have brought with them some of the Asian ghost stories as well, and in this case, a spirit from Japanese folklore have taken the center stage of the haunting surrounding the house. 

Kaimuki House: Exactly what house in Kaimuki is haunted is up for debate. This is the image mostly used when depicting it, although the original house is said to have been demolished and this duplex built on top of it.

The Murders of the Kaimuki House

At the core of the hauntings there are said murders happened that perhaps was the catalyst for the haunting the next residents would experience throughout the decade. There are actually several supposed murders that were said to happen in the Kaimuki House and started the haunting. 

One of the murder legends tells about a father who killed his two children as well as his wife in their home in Kaimuki. The son and the wife’s bodies were later buried in the backyard, but the body of the daughter was never found. 

There is also a story about a lesbian couple who moved into the house in Honolulu as a fresh start. One of the women ended up having an affair with a man. The boyfriend then killed both her and her lover before killing himself in the house. 

In both of these cases there are not many corroborating evidence for the murders, but are often relayed as facts. What is true though is that playwright Hannah Li-Epstein wrote a play based on the lore of the house called The Kasha of Kaimuki, telling the story of the lesbian couple moved into the house and came face to face with the spirit haunting the ghost in that were in theaters in 2021

The Young Couple Calling the Police

Some of the more famous stories told about the house reached the newspapers, but people are said to have complained about stuff happening in the house for ages before it ever reached headlines. Before the house reached infamously, it is said that a young couple moved into the house. Not long after the neighbors claimed to have heard a lot of loud bangs and crashes from the house. They thought it could be case of domestic violence and called the police. When the police arrived at the scene though, they met the couple who had another story to tell. According to them, they had been attacked by an unseen force. 

A Night of Unimaginable Horror

Then came the summer of 1942, who brought with it a night of sheer horror that would cement the Kaimuki House’s reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Hawaii. On that fateful evening, of August 13th the police were called to the residence by a hysterical mother at 1:25 am, her voice filled with panic and dread. She pleaded for help, claiming that an evil spirit was in her home, threatening the lives of her children.

When police sergeant Moseley K Cummins and patrolman Robert Ansteth arrived at the scene, they were met with a scene so chilling that it defied all logic and reason. The Hawaiian children, a boy of 10 with his two sisters of 18 and 20 were on the sofa, screaming. The mother was at their side, waving ti leaves and threw Hawaiian salt at them to rid them of the ghost she thought was attacking them. 

She told the police afterward that her son had noticed the smell of ghosts around 10 p.m. The ghost got angry at him for being found out and attacked the boy, then moved on to strangling or choking his sisters. 

The mother said that the one to blame was her husband who had left them. 

Over an hour passed and the police and family had to leave the house to kahuna at 3 a.m, leaving the family at the sister of the mother. 

The debacle held the neighbors awake and even made the news in Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The story and article grew, and so did the exaggerations of what really happened there that night. In later years the legend of the haunted house often claims that the children were thrown around, levitated and the spirit are even said to have slapped both the children and police officers. Some sources even claim that the children died of their injuries. 

The Rented Haunted House

In 1967 there appeared an ad in the Honolulu Advertiser that caught the eyes of many. It was a renting out bedrooms and in Kaimuki there was a 2 bedrooms for 155 dollars a month said to be haunted. 

Here, there was not a specific address given either, but now it was truly official. The house in Kaimuki was haunted. 

The Next Haunting

Years passed and the neighbors around the house remembered the story vividly and the house was by then considered haunted. Or was it? In neither of the news articles any address was given, but the legends have certainly combined the two. 

In 1972, on October the 31st, there was another news article telling about a haunted experience from the house. The editorial was specifically written for Halloween, but was written by Charles Kenn and Rubellite ‘Johnson, two respected Hawaiian historians. So was it really based on facts, or where they just having some Halloween fun?

According to the legend, three girls were sharing the house and yet again the police were called when strange things started happening there. 

A patrol car arrived late at night to the house as the girls had heard strange noises inside of the house. It sounded like someone was moving around and talking, one of them had even felt a hand on her arm.

They were so scared and didn’t want to stay in the house a moment longer, making the police follow behind their car to one of the girl’s mothers in Papakolea. 

As they were driving down Waialae Avenue, the girls pulled the car into the parking lot of the Oasis Cafe. Today the place is where the public storage on Waialae and Kapahulu is. 

According to the police report, the girl sitting in the middle of the front seat was said to be fighting off someone. No one could see what, but whatever it was, it was choking her. The policeman jumped out of the car to help, but there was nothing he could do. He said in his report: “A big, strong calloused hand that could not possibly belong to a teenage girl grabbed my arm and twisted it. I radioed for assistance.”

The officer that came to assist thought there would be a fight meeting him at the parking lot. The girls were hysterical and his colleague simply said: “There is a ghost in the car.” 

They managed to get the girl who had been choked into the police car and made the girls car follow them. But when they started the car, the motor died and wouldn’t start again. They put her back in the girls car and it immediately started again. 

Back on the road they managed to get about five yards before the door of the car belonging to the girls flew up and the choked girl fighting the ghosts fell out on the road. She was tearing at her throat like she was still being choked and the two policemen were not strong enough to pull her hands away. 

The police sergeant, a Hawaiian man, remembered what his grandmother had told him to help chase away ghosts. He ran into the cafe and grabbed a handful of Hawaiian salt and a glass of water. He sprayed it on everyone and it seemed to work and the girl got calmer. 

The Obake Files Book

In 1994, the American history professor and writer published a story about the legend and really cemented the story about the Kaimuki House as a Hawaiian legend. Although fictional, the book looked at many of the well known ghosts stories from Hawaii and used them as a backdrop. It certainly gave rise to the old legend again and this is were the kasha ghost from Japan comes in. 

The Kasha Spirit: An illustration of a Kasha, a spirit from Japanese folklore associated with the haunting tales of the Kaimuki House. Kasha means ‘burning chariot’ and is a Japanese yōkai that steals the corpses of those who have died as a result of accumulating evil deeds.

The Demolition of the Kaimuki House

Now, the original house built in the earlier part of the 1900s are said to have been demolished in 2016. In its place though another house was built on the property, and even to this day, we have people that have stayed in it, claiming to have experienced some of the haunting. 

But exactly were is the Kaimuki House? In neither of the accounts the address is mentioned, but many have pointed to it being on the Harding Avenue, more specifically on 8th and Harding. There once was a true murder that happened in the house, but could it really have been the house people talk about?

When ghost teller took a drive with Glen Grant in 1999, who had looked into the case, he pointed to the second to the last house on the left of 2nd Avenue and Harding. According to him, this was the true Kasha House of Kaimuki and he said there might have been a headstone in the back of the house where the ghost from the Kasha story was buried.

Could it be in the same place, only different buildings as time has passed and houses have been torn down and rebuilt during that time? There also used to be houses condemned to build the highway going through there. Could the house have been one of those condemned buildings, and could the haunting have manifested in the neighboring houses in the later tales?

The Kaimuki House Today

The Kaimuki House remains a place of dark mystery, its walls still echoing with the terror of that long-ago night. Over the years, the house has been the subject of numerous reports of paranormal activity. Residents and visitors alike have claimed to hear disembodied voices, see shadowy figures, and feel an overwhelming sense of dread within its confines.

But what about today? According to one blogger, he claims to have lived in the house for a year. According to the blogger, the original house is gone and a bland two-story duplex built there instead. 

The blogger named Keith Mann, together with some friends, moved into the brand new, cheap, clean and big place. Although knowing about the legend of the Kaimuki House, the blogger didn’t fill in the blanks that this was the house until changing the address online. 

At least five different people approached the blogger when hanging laundry, scared and in disbelief that anyone would live there. According to people around in Kaimuki, no one stayed for more than 3 months after moving in. 

Although initially spooked the family upstairs had lived there for some time already and the blogger didn’t want to move anymore. But still, there were some things happening in the house that seemed haunted. 

Every night, the blogger would wake up at 4:33 AM, jolted awake to an ice cold room, and the gut telling that something was very wrong. When this happened, the battery powered smoke alarms would beep in unison. The feeling of being watched didn’t stop, even though no one was home. This exact routing happened three times. 

Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: the Kaimuki House is a place where the boundary between the living and the dead is frighteningly thin. Those who pass by often quicken their steps, unwilling to linger near the site of such inexplicable horror. The house, with its tragic history and ghostly inhabitants, stands as a chilling reminder that some places are best left undisturbed.

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References:

https://www.mysteries-of-hawaii.com/hawaiis-most-haunted/kaimuki-kasha-house

Ghosts Next Door: The Mythical Truth of The Kasha of Kaimuki 

Kaimuki Homes for Sale | All Real EstateThe Kaimuki House Is Easily Hawaii’s Most Haunted House

The Choking Ghost of the Honolulu Fire Department and the Old Kakaako Station

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Are there Choking Ghosts haunting the Honolulu Fire Department? For decades there have been tales about firefighters seeing something. Especially around the Old Kakaako Station there are ghostly legends.

Among the fire stations in Oahu, lurks a ghostly presence that even the bravest firefighters find unsettling. Known as “The Choking Ghost,” this mysterious and malevolent entity has made its presence felt at the old Kakaako Station of the Honolulu Fire Department, leaving behind stories of terror that are whispered among the firefighters who have experienced its eerie grip.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

But what is a choking ghost, and why does it seem like they are especially active haunting the islands of Hawaii?

Old Kakaako Fire Station

The Kolohe Spirit Haunting the Fire Station

For years, firefighters stationed at Kakaako have reported chilling encounters with this unseen force. This is said to have happened both at the historic Kakaako Fire Station from 1929 on South Street as well as the newer station on Queen Street from the 1970s.

The experience is always the same: in the dead of night, as the station lies in darkness and the city sleeps, an overwhelming sensation of weight presses down on their chests. What begins as a vague pressure soon becomes a terrifying experience, as the firefighters feel an invisible hand tightening around their throats, choking them. The sensation is suffocating, and though it only lasts a few moments, those who have experienced it describe the terror as lingering long after the encounter ends.

Unlike typical ghostly encounters that involve fleeting glimpses or eerie sounds, the choking ghost is invasive and aggressive, targeting its victims in their most vulnerable state—when they are asleep. Despite the frightening nature of these encounters, the spirit’s attacks have never resulted in serious harm, leading to its classification as a “kolohe spirit”—a mischievous ghost that enjoys playing pranks on the living.

What is a Choking Ghost in Hawai’i?

The origins of the choking ghost are shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that the spirit could be that of a former firefighter who met a tragic end and now haunts his old workplace, seeking attention or revenge. Others believe that the entity might be an ancient Hawaiian spirit, disturbed by the modern structures and activities encroaching on what was once sacred land. The lack of concrete evidence or a clear backstory only adds to the fear and intrigue surrounding this ghostly presence.

What makes the choking ghost particularly unnerving is the uncertainty of its identity and intentions. Is it simply a prankster spirit, toying with the firefighters for its own amusement? Or is there a darker, more malevolent force at play, one that takes pleasure in instilling fear and discomfort? The firefighters who have felt its grip may never know the answer, but the encounters have left a lasting impression.

A Former Firefighter or Smallpox Victims?

But why is the fire station said to be haunted? Some blame it on the smallpox epidemic from the mid 1850s. Right by the old station a graveyard is, where around 1000 bodies of this epidemic were buried. This is something that many believe has caused the haunting the firefighters have said to experience. 

But according to some sources, the ghosts haunting the old fire station are not limited to the victims of smallpox, buried close by. There is also said to be an old man with a ghostly dog following him haunting the old station on South Street. Who he was is not certain, but many claim that he must be an old firefighter still lingering in the area. 

Fighting Ghosts with Ti Leaves

Measures were needed to be taken to keep the ghosts at bay. In the living quarters of the firefighters Ti leaves and Hawaiian salt were placed in the corners to ward off the evil spirits said to linger there and hopefully purify the area. 

Ti Leaves: The Ti plant of Hawaii is said to have protective abilities from spirits. Among a lot of ethnic groups in Austronesia it is regarded as sacred and they believe they can hold souls and thus are useful in healing “soul loss” illnesses and in exorcising against malevolent spirits, their use in ritual attire and ornamentation, and their use as boundary markers. Red and green cultivars also commonly represented dualistic aspects of culture and religion and are used differently in rituals. Red ti plants commonly symbolize blood, war, and the ties between the living and the dead; while green ti plants commonly symbolize peace and healing. / source

There were also plans to take care of the bodies from the smallpox epidemic who were uncovered while construction keeps happening around the area. 

If it has worked remains to be seen. But now you also have the newer firefighters on the new station that claim they have never experienced anything strange while working there. What goes on in the old one, set to become a museum, is more uncertain though.

The Ghostly Attraction of the Honolulu Fire Department

The legend of the choking ghost has spread beyond the fire department, drawing the interest of supernatural enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike. The old Kakaako Station has become a destination for those hoping to capture evidence of the paranormal, with many reporting strange occurrences during their visits. Orbs of light appear in photographs, unexplained cold spots are felt, and the eerie silence of the station is occasionally broken by the faint sound of footsteps where no one is present.

Despite the ghost’s fearsome reputation, the Kakaako Station remains a functional and important part of the Honolulu Fire Department. Firefighters continue to serve their community with courage and dedication, even as they share their space with a spirit that refuses to leave. The choking ghost, with its unnerving pranks and mysterious origins, has become an indelible part of the station’s lore—a reminder that even in a place dedicated to saving lives, there are forces beyond our understanding that we must face.

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References:

https://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/08/18/news/story1.html

South Street fire station has a ghostly past

Haunted Places on Oahu | To-Hawaii.com 

The Haunted Rumors from the Dorms at the University of Hawaii at Hilo

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Are the dorms at the University of Hawaii at Hilo haunted? Often dubbed the Eerie Dorm, and is said to be haunted by a young boy who was killed at the site many years ago. 

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UH Hilo) is known for its lush, sprawling campus nestled between the ocean and the mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii. A perfect place for studying, but what is lurking in the shadows of the dormitories?

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Because beneath the University of Hawaii at Hilo picturesque surface lies a darker history, one that whispers of hauntings, eerie dormitories, and restless spirits. Founded in 1945 as Hilo Center at Lyman Hall of the Hilo Boys School, UH Hilo has grown into a significant institution, but it hasn’t shaken off its haunted past.

The Origins of the Hauntings

UH Hilo’s residence halls are all named with the Hawaiian word for “house,” or hale. These dorms are Hale Kauanoe, Hale Kanilehua, Hale Kehau, Hale ‘Ikena, and Hale ‘Alahonua. But according to local legend, one of these dorms, often referred to as the “Eerie Dorm,” holds a chilling secret. If we are to believe what theshadowlands reports, it is the Hale Kanilehua that is the haunted one although it is rarely mentioned which one is the haunted one. 

Hale Kanilehua, meaning House of the Sound of the Rain Falling on the Lehua Blossom, is a classic dormitory layout shared by two residents and often thought to be the one dormitory that is haunted. The dorm was allegedly built over the site of an old haunted house. 

Hale Kanilehua

According to the tale, during the demolition of this house, a young boy was tragically killed while playing too close to the construction site. His spirit, it is said, has lingered ever since, haunting the dorm that now stands on the property.

The Little Boy in the Hall

The most common and unsettling reports of ghostly activity involve the spirit of the young boy. Students living on the ground floor of the dorm—specifically on the girls’ side—have reported seeing him late at night. He is often described as a shadowy figure, small and childlike, playing with a ball in the hallway. The chilling sound of his laughter echoes through the dorms, often followed by the rhythmic bouncing of his ball.

But the boy doesn’t just stick to the ground floor. Students on higher levels have heard the unmistakable sound of small footsteps running up and down the hallways in the dead of night, though no one is ever there when they look. Some have even reported feeling a playful tug on their bed covers, as though the boy were trying to pull them off.

Lights, Voices, and Cold Spots

The little boy isn’t the only spirit said to haunt the dorm. Stories tell of the previous homeowners—the family who once lived in the old house maybe—still lingering in their former abode. Students have experienced lights flickering or turning on and off by themselves. Some have heard voices late at night, as if someone were having a conversation just out of earshot, yet when they investigate, they find no one there.

Other students have complained of sudden cold spots in their rooms or hallways, despite the warm Hilo climate. These cold spots are often accompanied by a feeling of being watched, as if unseen eyes are always lurking nearby.

The Mysterious Moving Objects

Another common tale of the haunting at the University of Hawaii at Hiloinvolves objects mysteriously moving on their own. Books shift across desks, personal belongings disappear only to reappear in strange places, and even furniture has been reported to inexplicably shift positions. 

Toilets have been known to flush by themselves when no one is near, and faucets turn on without any physical contact. Some residents believe this is another manifestation of the restless spirits that inhabit the dorm, always looking for ways to make their presence known.

Haunting or Hallucination at the University of Hawaii at Hilo?

While some students chalk these experiences in the dormitory at the University of Hawaii at Hilo up to overactive imaginations or campus folklore, the sheer number of reports makes it hard to dismiss the hauntings entirely. From eerie footsteps to ghostly laughter, the strange occurrences in the Eerie Dorm have become a part of UH Hilo’s legacy, passed down from one generation of students to the next.

As for the boy and the previous homeowners, their stories remain a part of the university’s haunted lore. Whether real or imagined, the spirits of UH Hilo seem determined to stay, making the campus not just a place of learning but also a site where the past refuses to rest.

For those brave enough to spend the night in the haunted dorm, the question remains: Will you be the next to hear the laughter of a ghostly child or witness the flickering lights that signal the presence of those who came before?

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References:

Haunted Places on the Big Island of Hawaii 

Spooky Haunted Places In Hawaii – Resortica Hawaii 

University Housing 

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Wikipedia 

Shadowlands Haunted Places Index – Hawaii

The 52 Most Haunted & Supernatural Places on the Big Island of Hawaii 

Aka Manto (赤マント): Japan’s Nightmare in the Bathroom Stall

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The question about red or blue paper has scared Japanese students for generations now. The spirit of Aka Manto (赤マント) is still haunting the toilets of schools to this day, and is still a mystery of where the legend comes from. Was he a bloodsucking vampire? Serial killer? Perhaps an ancient god? 

You’re in a dimly lit school bathroom in the remote and old part of your school. You are the last one in the building, and you just needed a moment of peace. Then, from the stall next to you, a deep, unsettling voice asks a simple question:

“Would you like red paper or blue paper?”

You have already heard the stories and you know you’re about to die in one of the most gruesome ways possible.

Let’s talk about Aka Manto, Japan’s most murderous toilet ghost.

The Legend of Aka Manto: The Wrong Answer Could Kill You

Aka Manto: This is an artistic rendition of Aka Manto by Matthew Hoobin. Source: Wikimedia

Aka Manto is not your average ghost, but often described more of a demonic entity or yōkai who lurks in public restrooms, particularly school bathrooms. Very often it is in elementary schools in a specific stall in an older or not often dark and forgotten toilet, especially the older squat toilets. It is often the fourth stall that is the cursed one as the number four is associated with death. 

The legend of Aka Manto goes something like this:

After Aka Manto asks if you want red or blue paper, you only have bad choices. If you say “red paper” (赤い紙, akai kami), Aka Manto will slice you apart, drenching the walls in your blood. You die in a pool of your own gore, forever staining the stall red.

If you say “blue paper” (青い紙, aoi kami), Aka Manto will strangle you to death, draining your face of blood until you turn blue. Some versions say he sucks the life out of you, leaving nothing but a pale, cold corpse.

Trying to be clever and bring your own paper? Bad idea, as it will vanish mysteriously. If you ask for a different color like yellow, Aka Manto drags you into the underworld, and you are never seen again. If you try to run away? The stall door won’t budge, and your fate is sealed. If you stay silent? He kills you anyway. Basically, once Aka Manto asks the question, you’re doomed, in most cases.

Origins: Where Did This Nightmare Aka Manto Come From?

Like all great urban legends, Aka Manto’s origins are murky. He’s been around for decades, at least since the 1930s in Nara City, terrifying generations of schoolchildren and unsuspecting restroom-goers. In 1940, the legend spread to Kitakyshu and even reached the Korean Peninsula under Japanese rule because of Japanese students. At least the legend of the red paper and the blue paper was a well known legend, but when did the red cloaked man appear in the story? 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Japan

One theory is that Aka Manto was once a man—maybe even a student—who wore a red cloak and a mask. Some say he was handsome, but so obsessed with his looks that he wore a mask to keep people from seeing his face. Today, the word manto mostly means a cloak or cape and he is often depicted as this. But back when the urban legend first started spreading, manto referred to a shorter, sleeveless kimono jacket. 

Others say he was a vengeful spirit, hunting down those who disrespected him in life. Whatever the case, he died tragically—and now he haunts bathrooms, forcing his victims to “choose their fate.”

The Unsolved Murder Creating Aka Manto

In some versions he was a serial killer and Ako Manto is said to be connected to The Aogetto Murder Case in 1906 in what is today Sakai city in Fukui Prefecture. A man in his 30s wearing blue, in some variations red, came to a shop as a messenger and asked Kaga Murayoshi (30) to follow him to help his sick aunt in Shinbo village. Murayoshi trusted him and followed.

The man used the same method to lure his mother, Kiku (59) and his wife, Tsuo (25) as well. He tried to take the two year old daughter as well, but the mother had asked a neighbor to look after her. The woman refused to let him in when he came to the door, asking for the daughter. The eldest daughter was spared as well, as she was babysitting another house. 

They never returned, and the relatives in Shinbo village said they were not sick and had not asked for a messenger. Behind the Murayoshi family home, they found bloodstains in a boat by the Takeda River, finding Tsuo and Kiku’s bodies floating in the river, but never finding Kaga’s body. 

Although they believed this murderer must have had a strong hatred for the family, they could never find any motives for it or suspects. The case is still unsolved.

Was this a true murder case however? For most it’s considered a legendary one more so than a true murder mystery, as most details of the case changes every retelling as well there have been no original sources or documentation about the case. 

Inspired by Paper Doll Kamishibai Play

There is also a theory that the story of Aka Manto came from a mix of several real crimes mixed with popular media at the time.. One being the rape and murder of a young girl in Yanaka in Tokyo, although proof of a specific case has not been found. The other one comes from a harmless story from a popular kamishibai play at the time called Aka Manto by Kōji Kata. It told the story about a gentleman wizard in a red cloak that takes a shoeshine boy as his apprentice. 

Mixing these two stories together created fear and a commotion in Osaka and the kamishibai was confiscated by the police because of it. There are however different tales about what year it was confiscated, if it was in 1936 or 1940. 

Kamishibai: Meaning (紙芝居, “paper play”) is a form of Japanese street theater and storytelling that was popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s and the postwar period in Japan until television took over. Kamishibai were performed by a kamishibaiya (“kamishibai narrator”) who travelled to street corners with sets of illustrated boards that they placed in a miniature stage-like device and narrated the story by changing each image. Many think that the legend could have been inspired by this. Source: Flickr

Bloodsucking Vampire Tales from a Socialist Banker

In Ōkubo, Tokyo, the legend form tells of a vampire during the Shōwa era in the early 1900s. Corpses started appearing after being attacked by someone in a red cloak. 

This vampire theory is most likely connected to another story. Some say the urban legend is actually from a socialist banker in the 1930s to unsettle people and that he was arrested because of it. The motive is uncertain and a little bit random. If this actually happened is uncertain though, as it’s just a memory from a novel by Nobuo Ozawa. There are however real news clippings talking about a similar case about a communication employee, not a bankman. 

“Crackdown on rumours/Communication employee detained” “
In the wartime imperial capital, there have been many malicious rumors circulating, such as rumors that are disrupting politics and the financial world, and the story of the “Red Cape Hunchback” who is sucking blood that spread from Oji to the entire city, which are causing fear. The Metropolitan Police Department Intelligence Division has decided to carry out a thorough crackdown on these rumors to eradicate them from their source. On the 25th, it notified each police station under its jurisdiction to carry out strict inspections and internal investigations, while the Second Investigation Division also cooperated with this, and since the 23rd, a certain communication employee, Tomonori Tsune (38), of 3363 Oikurata-cho, Shinagawa-ku, has been detained and interrogated by Inspector Kobayashi. Since the middle of this month, he has been spreading rumors in the financial world that Prime Minister Hiranuma has been assassinated, which is said to have caused considerable shock in the banking world. Since these types of rumors are often spread for personal gain, the Metropolitan Police Department is also closely pursuing his background.”
– Published in the Yomiuri Shimbun in the evening edition of February 25th (dated the 26th) in 1939.
source

Other Theories Behind the Red Cloaked Man

One theory of the ghost of Aka Manto comes from a rumor from Osaka around 1935. It said that a man in a cloak would appear in a dimly lit shoe locker in the basement. A year or two after this it spread to Tokyo and further and turned into the urban legend we know of today. A similar legend circulated in Kobe in the 70s and 80s about someone, or something, wrapping children in a red blanket and abduct them into the demon realm. 

The Toilet Ghost Phenomenon: Why Are Bathrooms So Haunted?

If you’ve noticed a pattern, you’re not alone—Japan has way too many bathroom ghosts.

Because bathrooms are liminal spaces—places where people are alone, vulnerable, and isolated. Plus, back in the day, Japanese toilets were dark, creepy holes in the ground. If anywhere was going to be haunted, it was the bathroom. There are also the cases of toilet gods from more ancient times that used to be worshiped. 

Toilet Gods from Older Days

To understand why there are so many legends of spirits haunting the toilets in Japan, we must understand the folklore that existed before the ghost stories. In Japan, as well as many other cultures, Toilet Gods and deities were popular and worshiped from the Edo period until the early Showa period. This is in large part because of the association between human waste and agriculture, therefore making the toilets a fertile ground so to speak. Toilets were often dark and unpleasant places where the user was at some risk of falling in and drowning. The protection of the toilet god was therefore sought to avoid such an unsanitary fate.

According to a different Japanese tradition, the toilet god was said to be a blind man holding a spear in his hand. The Ainu people of far northern Japan and the Russian Far East believed that the Rukar Kamuy, their version of a toilet god, would be the first to come to help in the event of danger.

Most often, it was a benevolent god, but it happened, like in Okinawa, that the God could become a place of haunting evil spirits. The fuuru nu kami, or “god of the toilet” from the Ryūkyū Shintō of the Ryukyu Islands is the family protector of the area of waste. The pig toilet, lacking this benevolent god, could become a place of evil influence and potential haunting because of the accumulation of waste matter, rejected and abandoned by the human body. This version of the spirits residing in toilets is more reminiscent of the Korean Cheuksin (厠神): South Korea’s Vengeful Toilet Goddess. 

Read More: Cheuksin (厠神): South Korea’s Vengeful Toilet Goddess 

Toilet Gods and Colored Papers

In Kyoto, it is said that if you go to the toilet on the night of Setsubun, a monster called Kainade (Kainaze) will appear who will stroke your buttocks, and that if you chant “Red paper, white paper,” you can avoid this supernatural occurrence; there is also a theory that this evolved into a school ghost story. In Makabe County, Ibaraki Prefecture, it is said that blue and red, or red and white, paper dolls are offered to the toilet. 

Such stores of a spirit and colored papers being offered in the bathrooms have plenty of old tradition in Japan.

Originally, the act of offering to the gods changed to “I’ll give you some paper, so don’t behave suspiciously,” and the toilet god became more of a yokai over time, with people asking, “Shall I give you red paper, or blue (or white) paper?” 

After the war, there were a lot of old traditions that were left behind, and created the foundation for new ones. Gods and goddesses became ghosts and spirits, and only the skeletons of the legends reminiscent the old tales. 

Can You Survive an Encounter with Aka Manto?

Aka Manto is one of Japan’s deadliest urban legends, a spirit that proves you’re never truly safe—even in the most private places. But is there an end to the legend where you actually will survive?

If asked about what paper you want, there are two choices recommended.

You say, “I don’t need any paper.”

 You say nothing and calmly leave the stall.

If you’re lucky, Aka Manto lets you go. If not… well, you’ll be another restroom horror story.

So the next time you step into a restroom, especially one with a suspiciously empty last stall, ask yourself:

Do you really need to go?

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References:

Aka manto | Yokai.com

赤マント – Wikipedia 

青ゲットの殺人事件 – Wikipedia

赤い紙、青い紙 – Wikipedia

青ゲット殺人事件――都市伝説となった事件 – オカルト・クロニクル

http://snarkmori.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-136.html 

The Haunted Hilo Memorial Hospital and the Ghost Children from the Deadly Fire

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The legend says that after a deadly fire that took the lives of the children in the nursery as well as the nurses, the ghost of the children can be heard playing and crying in the Hilo Memorial Hospital in Hawaii. What really is the truth behind these ghostly tales?

In Kaumana, Hilo, an old, nearly forgotten hospital sits shrouded in mystery and ghostly rumors. Built in the 1890s, this hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii was once a place of healing, but over time, its reputation has been overshadowed by chilling tales of the supernatural. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Now partially destroyed due to a fire that gutted much of the structure, the Haunted Hospital of Hilo, as it has come to be known, stands as a silent witness to tragedy—both real and imagined.

Source

The History of the Hilo Memorial Hospital

Hilo Memorial Hospital, as it was once known as, was constructed in the Italian Renaissance palace architectural style. When it opened, patients were transferred from an older facility, which was subsequently dismantled. Its materials were repurposed to create outbuildings for the new hospital, such as servant quarters, a cook’s cottage, and a nurse’s dormitory. For many years, it operated as the primary medical center for the town and surrounding plantations.

Read More: Check out all haunted hospitals around the world

However, as with many old buildings, the hospital eventually closed its doors. It used for a long time after its closing to house Hawai’i Island Adult Care, providing daytime services for the elderly. But despite its current use, the haunted stories that have surrounded this place for decades refuse to fade away.

The Tragic Fire and the Haunting Nursery

According to local legend, years ago, a catastrophic fire broke out in the Hilo Hospital nursery. The fire is said to have been so fierce that it burned several babies and their nurses alive. The souls of those who perished in the blaze are rumored to haunt the hospital’s remains, forever bound to the place of their tragic end.

Visitors to the abandoned parts of the hospital claim they’ve heard the unmistakable cries of infants echoing through the crumbling halls. Disembodied footsteps and strange noises—scratches, taps, and soft weeping—have been reported by those brave enough to explore the site after dark. Some say that on certain nights, the overwhelming smell of burning flesh still lingers in the air, a grim reminder of the tragedy that supposedly occurred there.

KELSEY WALLING/Tribune-Herald file photo

But did this fire ever really happen? Strangely, despite the vividness of the legend, there is no solid evidence—no documented date, no records, and no newspaper reports—confirming that such a fire ever took place. Even long-time Hilo residents and historians have been unable to verify the event, raising questions about whether this tragedy is rooted in fact or merely a tale passed down through generations.

The Spirits of the Elders and Ghostly Children

The hospital may have closed, but the stories of its hauntings have persisted through the years, even as the building found new life as a care center for the elderly. Lizby Logsdon, a Community Outreach coordinator at Hawai’i Island Adult Care, spoke to the Keolamagazine in 2016 about the haunted rumors: 

“Yes, there are ghosts,” says Lizby Logsdon. “Most people would agree. I haven’t heard anything recently, but it’s not uncommon for the elders to hear children outside playing when there are no children outside.” “One evening, I had to go back into the Golden Heart Wing,” she recalled. “Just upon getting to that entrance, I kind of got the oojies. I found a line of crayons between the tables, heading into the shower room.” When she returned to her colleagues, they noticed her pale face and asked if she had seen a ghost.
source

Staff members and some of the elderly patients have also reported hearing the distant laughter of children outside, playing in areas that are otherwise empty. Could it be the spirits of the children said to have perished in the fire, or are these apparitions tied to something even older, something deeper in the land’s history?

A Ghost Story Without Evidence

Despite the chilling stories and firsthand accounts of paranormal experiences, the truth behind the Haunted Hospital of Hilo remains elusive. No concrete evidence exists to confirm the fire that allegedly destroyed the nursery, and none of the local historical archives mention such a catastrophic event. Nonetheless, the hospital’s reputation as one of Hilo’s most haunted places endures.

Even without documentation, the experiences of those who have worked in and around the building suggest that something unusual lingers within its walls. From phantom cries to shadowy figures, the hospital seems to be a place where the line between the living and the dead blurs, a place where the past refuses to let go. So if not by a deadly fire, where does these ghostly children that are said to haunt the old hospital come from?

The Future of the Haunted Hospital

Some Hilo residents express concerns over future plans to develop the land around the former hospital, perhaps fearing that whatever spirits may be resting there might not take kindly to further disturbance.

The Haunted Hospital of Hilo may never fully reveal its secrets. Whether the stories are true or simply local legends passed down through time, one thing is certain: the hospital, with its crumbling walls and ghostly reputation, will continue to captivate the imaginations of those who hear its tale.

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References:

Then & Now: The Old Hilo Hospital – Ke Ola Magazine 

Haunted Places on the Big Island of Hawaii 

Trick Or Treat Special: Old Hilo Hospital, Babies Cry – Big Island Pulse 

Spooky Haunted Places In Hawaii – Resortica Hawaii 

Shadowlands Haunted Places Index – Hawaii