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The Bloody Kaneana Cave: Haunted by the Shark God Nanaue

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In the depths of the Kaneana Cave in Hawaii, sometimes also called Makua Cave, spirits are said to linger. Some say that the Shark God Nanaue used to drag his victim to this place, and even though he was killed for his crimes, is he truly gone?

Kaneana Cave, along the rugged coast of Oahu north of Waianae, is steeped in eerie legends and ghostly tales that send shivers down the spine of anyone who dares to enter the haunted cave of Kaneana.

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The cave is also known as Makua Cave and is believed to be over 150 000 years old, running 450 feet deep and is seen as a sacred place with people still giving offerings to it. The cave used to be underwater, and carved out from the pounding pacific waves. Kaneana means the Cave of Kane who is the god of creation and some believed this is where mankind came from. 

The Cave of Nanaue the Shark God

But there is a darker legend about this cave that has made it into one of the most haunted places in Hawaii. According to Hawaiian folklore, this dark and mysterious cave is the dwelling place of Nanaue, the fearsome underground shark god. Nanaue is the son of Kamohoali‘i, the King of Sharks and the most sacred brother of the fire goddess Pele. 

Read more: The Mythology of Madame Pele Haunting Hawai’i 

His mother, Kalei, was a human living in Waipio Valley. And some say he was born with his mouth on his back, and the mother was told to never feed him meat. This lineage alone is enough to instill fear and reverence among those who know the stories, but it is Nanaue’s gruesome legend that truly haunts Kaneana Cave.

Nanaue possessed an insatiable appetite for human flesh after someone accidentally fed it to him, and had the cunning ability to disguise himself as a human. Some say he was a human, some say he grew more and more into a shark as he had inherited his shark-shapeshifting abilities from his father. In shark form he would attack the other villagers, dragging them back to his cave and eating them. 

Legend has it that weary travelers, finding themselves near the foreboding entrance of Mākua Cave at night, might encounter an old, wrinkled Hawaiian man. This man, seemingly harmless and tending to meat sizzling over a fire, would invite the unsuspecting travelers to join him. Lured by the warmth and the promise of food, the travelers would accept. However, as soon as they began to feel the lethargy from their meal, the old man would reveal his true form, transforming into the monstrous shark god Nanaue.

In this terrifying form, Nanaue would kill the hapless travelers, leaving their bodies to rot in the cave for three weeks before finally consuming the decomposed flesh. The horrific fate of these victims has imbued Kaneana Cave with a chilling atmosphere, making it an active hotspot for the spirits of those who met their end at the hands of the shark god.

The Haunted Kaneana Cave

In ancient times, Hawaiian people were forbidden to enter the cave because they feared they would be taken and eaten by Nanaue. It is said though that when the locals found out about his identity as a shark, they captured and killed him. But was this enough to rid the cave of its haunted history?

It was also said that the kahuna priests performed rituals in the inner chambers of the cave, and that their magic remains today and sometimes you will hear the sound of chanting echoing through the caves.

Visitors to Mākua Cave have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread and unease as they approach the cave’s mouth. Strange whispers seem to echo from its depths, and the faint, eerie glow of spectral figures has been seen flitting among the shadows. Some brave souls who have ventured inside recount hearing the sizzling of meat over an unseen fire and catching glimpses of an old man beckoning them further into the darkness. These experiences often culminate in a sudden, overwhelming fear that drives them to flee the cave, never looking back.

Local lore advises against visiting Kaneana Cave after dark, warning that the spirits of Nanaue’s victims still linger, trapped in the place where they met their gruesome demise. Some say that if you listen closely, you can hear their faint cries for help or the distant sounds of their final, terrified moments.

Murder Place

That was ancient times though, but if we are to believe the legends, the cave continued to be a site for murder, when a body allegedly was put in the cave in the early 1900s after being murdered. 

More outlandish rumors like the cave being a doorway to hell and that monster with glowing red eyes and scabs comes out from the lava tubes in the back of the cave. 

The haunting presence of the shark god Nanaue and the spirits of his victims make Kaneana Cave a place of profound supernatural significance. This cave, with its blood-soaked history and chilling legends, stands as a stark reminder of the darker side of Hawaiian mythology.

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References:

The Legend of Nanaue the Shark Man | To-Hawaii.com 

Mysterious Kaneana Cave – LAURALOHA TRAVEL 

The Legend of Wai‘anae’s Haunted Mākua Cave 

Kāneana Cave: Home of a Shark God — Mālama Mākua

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The Haunting Mystery of Ka’ena Point State Park: A Portal to the Afterlife

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At first sight the end of the Ka’ena Point State Park seems like just as any tropical paradise in Hawaii. But behind the beauty are the legends, and this end of the trail is believed to be the portal to the afterlife and where wandering spirits not accepted are left to roam. 

At the westernmost tip of Oahu, Ka’ena Point State Park is a windswept and rugged coastline that offers visitors a glimpse into the untamed beauty of Hawaii. Known for its stunning vistas, wildlife, and serene beaches, this remote destination is also shrouded in mystery and folklore, not too far from the bustling big city life of Honolulu. 

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According to Hawaiian legend, Ka’ena Point at the westernmost tip of the island is more than just a beautiful landscape—it’s a sacred place where souls depart from the earth, known as a “leina a ka uhane,” or a portal to the afterlife.

Steven Pavlov/Wikimedia

A Place of Beauty and Adventure

Ka’ena Point State Park, accessible from both the Waianae Coast to the south and Mokuleia on the north shore, offers a scenic escape from the more crowded parts of Oahu. The area is best known for its rugged hiking trails that meander along dramatic sea cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean after trekking the last bit by foot. Hikers often come across native Hawaiian plants and seabirds, such as the Laysan albatross and wedge-tailed shearwaters, which nest along the shore.

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While visiting Ka’ena Point, you can explore its stunning landscapes, enjoy birdwatching, fish off the shore, or simply take in the breathtaking views of the waves crashing against the rocks. A popular activity is hiking the Ka’ena Point Trail, which is relatively flat and easy to navigate, leading you to the tip of the island where the terrain becomes more rugged and mysterious. But for those who are aware of the ancient legends, this seemingly serene landscape holds much deeper, spiritual significance.

Steven Pavlov/Wikimedia

The Legends of Ka’ena Point

The place is considered the most holy place perhaps on the island and has been used for thousands of years, both as a fishing place as well as a place for ceremonial things.

Once upon a time, the goddess who created the Hawaiian Islands had a male relative, perhaps a brother or a cousin. He traveled to this point and stayed, naming it ka’ena after himself, which means red hot in Hawaiian. 

In Hawaiian folklore, Ka’ena Point is considered one of the most sacred places on the island, believed to be a “leina a ka uhane”—a jumping-off place for souls leaving this world. According to legend, when a person dies, their spirit wanders the earth, searching for a “leina a ka uhane” to make the final leap into the afterlife. Ka’ena Point, with its remote and otherworldly atmosphere, is said to be one such place.

Leina Kauhane: (meaning “leaping place of ghosts”) is white rock located approximately 0.4 mi (0.64 km) offshore on the northwest area of the Hawaiian island Oahu. It is noted in Hawaiian folklore as the point where souls of the dead journey into the afterlife (Lua-o-Milu) and overlook the ocean. // Wikimedia

It is said that first the wandering spirit who has left its body reaches a fishing shrine called hauone. If everything the spirit has done during its time on earth checks out, its purpose is fulfilled and allowed to cross over. 

The specific location for the leap is marked by a formation known as “Ka leina a ka uhane,” or “the leap of the soul.” This area, also referred to as White Rock due to a large limestone formation on the northern side of the point, is believed to be where souls gather before taking their final journey into the unknown. 

When reaching this point, the spirit is met with two gods who throw them into Lua a Kehana, a gigantic pit where death is finalized and the spirit must wander to Na ulu o lei walu for its final judgment. The good go right, the bad go left. 

Departing souls either passed into one of several spirit realms or were returned to the body to continue life. The fate of these souls often depended on the help or absence of friendly ‘aumakua (ancestral family or personal god) that would guide a soul to the appropriate realm: ao kuewa, a place of wandering souls, ao ‘aumakua, where the soul could be reunited with the souls of ancestors, or au milo or pō pau ‘ole, a place of eternal night.

Locals and visitors alike have reported feeling a profound sense of spiritual energy in this place, as if the souls of the departed are still lingering, waiting to take their final leap into eternity.

A Portal to the Afterlife

There is also a warning associated with Ka’ena Point: visitors are advised not to take anything from the area, especially stones or shells. The belief is that taking anything from a sacred place could result in bringing a spirit back with you, a wandering soul that is desperately seeking its way home. The energy of Ka’ena Point is said to cling to objects, making them a conduit for restless spirits.

Source: Wikimedia

So, if you find yourself at the edge of the island, looking out over the endless expanse of ocean, remember the legends of Ka’ena Point. Feel the wind on your face, listen to the waves crashing against the rocks, and know that you are standing at a place where the veil between this world and the next is thin—a place where the souls of the departed gather, waiting for their leap into the afterlife.

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References:

Kaena Point: Hawaii’s Leaping Point to the Spirit World

he moʻolelo ʻāina no kaʻena, waialua, oʻahu “a land story for kaʻena

Ka’ena Point State Park, Oahu

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The Haunted Road: Kapaa Quarry Road in Kailua

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According to legend, there are plenty of shadows waiting along the Kapaa Quarry Road after dark. From the vanishing hitchhikers to the strange Menehune people from Hawaiian folklore, do not stop for anything when driving through.

Hidden away from the bustling streets and sun-soaked beaches of Kailua, Oahu, lies a stretch of road that many locals dread to travel after dark: Kapaa Quarry Road. This dimly lit, narrow utility road snakes through thick patches of forest, veiled in shadows and flanked by eerie stillness. But it’s not just the darkness or the treacherous turns that make Kapaa Quarry Road a place of fear—it’s the haunted history that whispers through the leaves and rustles in the undergrowth.

Kapaa Quarry Road: A seemingly normal road during the day. After dark, all sorts of spirits and creatures are said to roam the road.

A Road With a Dark Reputation

Kapaa Quarry Road is notorious for its sharp turn at the end, a twist that has claimed the lives of eight unfortunate motorists over the years. The road’s dangers are not merely physical, however. Drivers who have taken this path speak of an unsettling feeling, a heaviness that seems to settle over the vehicle, as if the road itself is watching, waiting.

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Rumor has it that numerous ancient altars line the road, remnants of a time long past when Hawaiian kahuna, or priests, conducted rituals on this sacred land. Some say these altars were used for ceremonies that called upon spirits—both benevolent and malevolent. Today, many believe that these spirits still linger by the roadside, unseen but always present, drawn to the energy of the place or perhaps still bound to it.

Ghostly Hitchhikers and Vanishing Passengers

One of the most chilling legends of Kapaa Quarry Road involves phantom hitchhikers. Travelers have reported picking up strangers on the road late at night, only to find that their mysterious passengers vanish without a trace before reaching their destination. Often, these apparitions appear wet, shivering, and cold, as if they have just emerged from the nearby quarry or swamps. Others describe seeing figures dressed in old-fashioned clothing, who ask for a ride in soft, pleading voices. Moments later, these passengers simply disappear from the back seat, leaving drivers terrified and confused.

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Those who have witnessed these events swear by them, and their stories have been passed down like warnings—cautionary tales of spectral hitchhikers who never seem to find their way home.

The Menehune: Mischief in the Moonlight

But Kapaa Quarry Road is not haunted by human spirits alone. Locals claim to have seen the Menehune, the fabled dwarf-like people of Hawaiian folklore, along the road, particularly near the deep forests and hidden valleys. These small, elusive beings are said to be skilled builders and craftsmen who come out only under the cover of darkness. The Menehune are known to be mischievous, playing tricks on those who stray too close to their hidden domains. Drivers and pedestrians report strange occurrences on the road—rocks thrown from unseen hands, whispered laughter in the night, and the inexplicable feeling of being watched by unseen eyes.

Menehune: mythological race of dwarf people in Hawaiian tradition who are said to live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands, hidden and far away from human settlements. The Menehune are described as superb craftspeople. They built temples (heiau), fishponds, roads, canoes, and houses. Some of these structures that Hawaiian folklore attributed to the Menehune still exist.

Many believe that the Menehune use their powers to confuse travelers, leading them astray or making them believe the road is longer or shorter than it actually is. While some see the Menehune as harmless tricksters, others think they have a darker intent, especially for those who do not respect the sacred land they inhabit.

Spirits in Search of Home

The haunting of Kapaa Quarry Road is not limited to spirits seeking a ride. Many believe that the souls of those who died in the numerous accidents on the road are still searching for their way home. Drivers have reported seeing shadowy figures darting across the road or lingering near the turn where so many lost their lives. Sometimes, these apparitions appear suddenly in front of oncoming cars, causing the driver to swerve, only to find that there was nothing there.

These encounters often leave a chilling feeling, a sense that something, or someone, is reaching out from the other side, trapped between worlds, unable to find peace. Some say the spirits are drawn to the living in hopes of finding a way out, a path that will finally lead them home.

For those brave enough to travel Kapaa Quarry Road after dark, a word of caution: stay alert, keep your eyes on the road, and if you happen to see a hitchhiker standing in the shadows, think twice before you stop to offer them a ride. You might find yourself with a passenger who never leaves, or worse, vanishes before your very eyes, leaving you with nothing but questions and a chill that runs deep into the night.

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

Mysterious Places on Oahu – Chaminade Silversword 

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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 Lady in Red Haunting of Hilton Hawaiian Village

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For a long time now, the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel has been said to be haunted by a lady in red. Some think that she might have been a guest staying at the resort, but many also claim that the spirit must be Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.

Looking for a nice getaway where you can enjoy sun, sand, poolside service, and perhaps an encounter with a volcano goddess? That’s just what you might get when you visit the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki in Honolulu, the 17th largest hotel in the world. 

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Not only does the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu, Hawaii boast a restaurant for each of its 22 acres and Waikiki’s largest pool, a botanical garden and view of the beach, but it also offers an unexpected attraction for the brave: ghost hunting.

Hilton Hawaiian Village: Dukes Lagoon on Waikiki Beach facing North. // Source: Wiki

The Woman in Red Haunting the Hilton

But who is haunting this luxury place at night? According to guests that have stayed at the hotel as well as staff working there, the rumor is that a woman in red is wandering the halls. The ghost of this lady in red is often said to be beautiful with a flowing red dress. 

The ghost of the Hilton Hawaiian Village is often spotted in the hallways inside of the resort. Some have also claimed to have seen her on the beach by the hotel. 

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The ghost has appeared many times at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, perhaps most well known sightseeing was in 1959 when a staff member of the hotel claimed to have seen her disappear right before his eyes. This led him to quit his job the next day and opened a poi factory, although neither of those statements have been confirmed. 

Hilton Hawaiian Village: View from the Tapa Tower. // Source: Joel Solomon/Wikimedia

The Ghost of Hilton Hawaiian Village

But who could this alleged ghost be? And why is she lingering at the resort? Many believe that the ghost haunting the halls and beach of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel is none other than Pele, the revered “Volcano Goddess.” 

Pele the Goddess of Volcanoes

According to legend, Pele was the daughter of Kane Milohai and Haumea, creators of the sky, earth, and upper heavens. Born in Tahiti, Pele was exiled to Hawaii due to her fiery temper. Her older sister Namakaokahai, upon discovering Pele’s location, journeyed to Hawaii to confront her. The battle ended disastrously for Pele, who was torn apart by her sister, with her remains scattered on a hill in Maui called Ka-iwi-o-Pele—a grim testament to sibling rivalry.

Read More: The Mythology of Madame Pele Haunting Hawai’i 

Despite her violent end, Pele’s spirit is said to linger in Hawaii, making her presence known to locals and visitors alike on several places. She reportedly appears in various forms: a hitchhiker, an elderly woman, or a mysterious stranger knocking on doors. However, most sightings describe her as a young woman in a striking red dress, wandering the halls or strolling along the beach.

While the legend of Pele is the most famous, some speculate that the ghost haunting the Hilton Hawaiian Village might be another tragic figure—a woman who was murdered years ago in the tower room. 

The Man in White at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

But according to some, this is not the only ghost said to haunt the Hilton Hawaiian Village. According to stories, there was once a housekeeper cleaning a suit on the 14th floor when she saw someone on the balcony. It was a man, something she thought odd, as the last who had stayed at the room was a mother and her daughter. 

Hilton Hawaiian Village: Source:  “Hilton Hawaiian Village Panorama Oahu Hawaii Photo D Ramey Logan.JPG from Wikimedia Commons by Don Ramey Logan, CC-BY-SA 3.0

In addition to this, there have been several of sightseeing of this ghost on the 14th floor, said to roam the hallways wearing white. Whether you believe in the legend of Pele or the ghost of a tragic victim, one thing is certain: the Hilton Hawaiian Village offers more than just a tropical paradise. 

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https://www.hilton.com/en/travel/articles/spooktacular-stays-to-celebrate-halloween

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The Haunting of Coco Palms Resort: Spirits of the Past on Kauaʻi

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Once a grand resort for people visiting Kauai, Hawaii, the Coco Palms Resort now only houses ghosts. Lingering in the shadows there are spirits from ancient times, resort staff and if we are to believe in all the haunted rumors, Elvis himself. 

Along the shores of Kauaʻi, the once-luxurious Coco Palms Resort stands eerily silent, its grandeur now a ghostly shadow of its former self. The resort officially opened in 1953 in Wailuā, Kauaʻi, was noted for its Hollywood connections, Hawaiian-themed weddings, torch lighting ceremonies, and long standing land disputes as the resort includes or is near many places spiritually and culturally important for the Native Hawaiians.

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Originally the place where Coco Palms Resort was built was a coconut plantation with more than 2000 coconuts planted in the area before it turned into a luxury resort. Abandoned since the devastation of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the most powerful hurricane to strike the islands in recorded history, the resort remains a chilling monument to the island’s past.

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There are many legends about this place, people claim to have experienced time lapses and it is said to be a place where the Hawaiian Night Marchers go through as well as stories about choking ghosts have been told. Even Elvis, who made the movie Blue Hawaii here is said to have been haunting this place.

Coco Palms Resort: Exterior of the backside of the Lagoon Terrace Lounge and Heritage Room buildings at the Coco Palms Resort on the island of Kauai. The hotel was destroyed by hurricane Iniki in September 1992.// Wiki

The Elvis Connection

In 1961, Elvis Presley arrived at the Coco Palms Resort to play in the movie, Blue Hawaii. The movie itself received mixed reviews, but Elvis was popular and the movie was the 10th highest grossing movie that year. 

Ever since then, it is said that he returned to stay at the Coco Palms Resort several times, as many of the Hollywood famous like Rita Hayworth and Frank Sinatra did at the time. Some even go as far as saying it was his favorite retreat and that he is still checked in.

Blue Hawaii: After filming a movie here and staying at the resort several times, it used to be a local legend that Elvis was haunting the place.

According to the stories, Elvis’s ghost was allegedly seen close to Bungalow 56 not too long after his passing. This particular bungalow was said to have been his, specially adapted to his needs. These stories was told before the resort shut down though, and is more of an anecdote today. 

The Ghost of Helen Haunting Coco Palms Resort

But who else is haunting the abandoned resort? The stories are many and vague, and sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint to a one time tale than a spirit that seems to have been encountered by more than one. 

Among the spirits said to roam the abandoned resort, one name is whispered more than others: Helen. A Polynesian woman who died under mysterious circumstances at Coco Palms in the 1950s, Helen’s ghost is often seen wandering the grounds, her figure appearing and disappearing near the tranquil lagoon where she reportedly loved to sit. Guests and staff who visited before the resort’s closure spoke of a woman in a flowing dress, her long dark hair cascading down her back, moving silently among the swaying palms, and when approached, she vanished like mist in the early morning sun. 

Who was she? A woman working at the resort, a guest there or perhaps a local? This story seems to only be told through one source though, and there has yet been any proof that there ever was a woman named Helen who died close to the resort. 

The Man in the Kitchen

When the Coco Palms Resort was still in business, staff kept reporting about seeing the shadow of a man in the kitchen as well as the break area next door. Also this figure seems to have lost his name and history to time, and after the Coco Palms Resort shut down, perhaps he as well abandoned it.

The abandoned lobby: Wiki

But is the resort truly abandoned? To this day, those who live nearby or pass by the abandoned resort at night feel an unshakeable presence, as if unseen eyes are watching from the darkened windows and overgrown gardens. Some say that even nature itself seems wary—the winds howl with a mournful cry, and the lagoon remains as still as a mirror, reflecting the faces of the past. Perhaps the haunting of this place started long before the Coco Palms Resort opened?

Eerie Sounds of Chanting and Drumming

The ghostly figure of Helen, Elvis and the man in the kitchen is not the only reason that Coco Palms is considered one of the most haunted locations in Hawaii. Even now, long after the resort was abandoned, the sounds of chanting and drumming can be heard drifting through the night air. Many believe these are the voices of ancient Hawaiian spirits or the echoes of the resort’s past. The rhythmic beats of the ghostly drums are said to grow louder near the old chapel and lagoon, where guests once celebrated luaus under the stars.

Read More: The Haunting Legends of Polihale Beach and the Cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele 

Local residents and trespassers who have dared to step onto the grounds after dark tell of hearing these mysterious sounds emanating from deep within the shadows, only to find no one around. Others have heard footsteps on creaky wooden floors, the clatter of dishes in the empty dining halls, or felt a sudden chill on an otherwise warm evening.

Drumming and Chanting: A postcard of the torch-lighting ceremony at the Coco Palms Resort on Kauai

A Place of Deep Cultural Significance

Adding to the eerie atmosphere is the Coco Palms’ historical and cultural significance. The site is believed to have been the residence of Kauaʻi’s last reigning queen, Queen Deborah Kapule, making it sacred ground. 

The resort was built upon this historic land and her home, and many believe that the spirits of Hawaiian ancestors still protect the area. The legend goes that disturbing these spirits can bring a curse upon those who do not respect the land’s sacred nature.

Beware the Spirits of Coco Palms

The haunting of the Coco Palms Resort is more than just a collection of ghost stories; it is a living legend that captures the very spirit of Kauaʻi’s haunted past. It is a place where the echoes of lost souls and ancient spirits converge, a place where time seems to stand still and the past refuses to fade away. 

The derelict Coco Palms Resort Hotel in Kauai, Hawaii in 2017. // Wiki

For decades it was left abandoned, left in the care of Kauai Bob who also took people on guided tours. In 2016 the standing resort was demolished partially. Still to this day, no one knows the future of the once luxury resort with one foreclosure sale after another. It was bought by developers again in 2024, and is said to reopen as Coco Palms, A Kimpton Resort in 2026, but for now, the former rooms and land belong to the ghosts.

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References:

Bearfort Paranormal 2012 Investigation of the Abandoned Coco Palms Resort Kauai, HI -released June 2016 

Infamous Coco Palms Kauai | Why It Just Won’t End – Beat of Hawaii 

Elvis Slept Here: Kauai’s Coco Palms Resort Redevelopment Begins | MeetingsNet

Visit An Abandoned Hawaiin Resort In Kauai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Asylum Coco Palms Resort – Wikipedia

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The Haunting Legends of Polihale Beach and the Cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele

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It’s not only sandy beaches and blue water you can find at Polihale Beach on Kauai. If you go far enough out, legend has it you can also find the cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele, the gateway to the afterlife. 

Polihale Beach, a stunning and remote stretch of sand on the western edge of Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, is not just a place of breathtaking sunsets and endless waves. It is also a place steeped in ancient Hawaiian legends, where the boundary between the physical world and the spirit realm is said to be thin.

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The Polihale Beach is also the longest beach in Hawaii, stretching for 17 miles, and in the dunes remains of bones and ancient temple ruins shows that this was a place of great importance for the Hawaiians throughout history. 

Polihale Beach: Meeting the rocky cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele, Polihale Beach are said to be haunted by the spirits trying to cross the portal to the afterlife said to be on the cliffs. // Erich Geist/Flickr

The Sacred Cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele

At the far end of Polihale Beach, the cliffs known as Ha‘ele‘ele rise dramatically from the shoreline. To the ancient Hawaiians, these cliffs were far more than a natural wonder; they were the “jumping off point” for spirits, or ‘uhane, leaving this world. The very word, Polihale means the underworld or sacred ruins. 

According to legend, when a person died, their spirit would journey to these cliffs to leap into the afterlife and join their ancestors. For those fortunate enough to have an ‘aumakua, or family of spirits, waiting for them, the transition was peaceful, a return to the embrace of their forebears.

But not every spirit finds a warm welcome on the other side.

The Wandering Spirits of Polihale Beach

For the unfortunate souls who arrived at Ha‘ele‘ele with no ‘aumakua to guide them, the cliffs of Polihale became a place of restless wandering. These lost spirits, unable to make the final leap, would attach themselves to the rocks, plants, or even travelers who dared to disturb their resting place. It is said that these wayward spirits, frustrated and lost, can cause mischief for the living, bringing bad luck or even sickness to those who unknowingly take them from their place of haunting.

Beware of What You Take

Local lore strongly warns against removing anything—especially stones—from Polihale Beach or the surrounding cliffs. Many believe that by taking a rock or a piece of the landscape, you may inadvertently bring back a spirit longing to return to its sacred home. These spirits, desperate and confused, might follow you, causing eerie disturbances in your home until they are properly returned to where they belong.

Polihale Beach: Pete Harmer/Flickr

Visitors who have ignored these warnings have reported strange occurrences—unexplained noises, sudden illness, or a feeling of being watched. Some have even felt an overwhelming compulsion to return the stones to Polihale, finding peace only when the spirits are back where they belong.

A Place of Beauty and Mystery

Polihale Beach, with its miles of golden sand and majestic cliffs, is undoubtedly one of Kauai’s most beautiful and enigmatic places. But it is also a place where the past lingers, where the spirits of the ancient Hawaiians continue their eternal journey. Those who visit are reminded to tread lightly, respect the land, and above all, leave behind what belongs to the spirits. The cliffs of Ha‘ele‘ele are not just a gateway to the afterlife; they are a reminder that some parts of Hawaii are touched by the supernatural, where the unseen world is always close at hand.

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    Now a place you can rent and stay at, the Beck House in Canada is said to be one of the more haunted places. Those who have stayed the night come back with stories of strange encounters, believed to be the ghost of the Beck family members.
  • The Burgträppe-Balzli Haunting: The Ghost of Nydegg Castle
    Where the Nydegg Church is today, there once used to be a castle. Tales about ghosts lingering around the old Nydegg Castle and the stairs leading up to it still roams. And one of the more infamous and feared ghosts of Bern is the Burgträppe-Balzli.
  • The Wailing Spirit of Old Beaupre Castle
    The Haunted Ruins of Beaupre Castle in Wales is one of the places in Wales said to have been haunted by the wailing spirit and deadly omen of the The Gwrach y Rhibyn, also known as the Hag of Mist.

References:

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The Green Lady of Wahiawa: A Ghostly Guardian of Hawaii’s Rainforest

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Covered in leaf and seaweed, the Green Lady of Wahiawa is said to haunt the forest on O’ahu Island in Hawaii. Once a mother who lost her children, she is still searching for them. 

Visitors to the lush and enchanting rainforest of Wahiawa, Hawaii, should tread carefully, for the Green Lady of Wahiawa might be watching, though to especially in the gulch in Wahiawa, a town on the on the plateau or “central valley” between two volcanoes on O’ahu Island. Lakes and reservoirs are rare in Hawaii, and Wahiawā is unique in being surrounded on three sides by Lake Wilson (also known as Wahiawā Reservoir or Kaukonahua). This is the type of environment as well as in the greenery of the forest where the Green Lady is said to reside. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Cloaked in leaves, moss, and grass, with green skin and seaweed tangled in her hair, the Green Lady of Wahiawa is a spectral figure who has haunted these verdant landscapes for centuries. Her presence, while tied to the natural beauty of the region, brings an eerie and unsettling air to the forest.

The Green Lady of Wahiawa: The legend talks of a green lady, wandering through the lush forests in Wahiawa and through the waters. Here from Wahiawa Botanical Garden – shady park view. // Wikimedia

The Tragic Legend of a Mother’s Grief

The Green Lady of Wahiawa’s story is one of sorrow and loss, seemingly rooted in Indigenous Hawaiian folklore, however, with a modern twist as most legends mention her deep fear of cars and that she would often cross the gulch instead of crossing the bridge because of it. 

Source

According to legend, she was once a loving mother who ventured into the forest with her children. However, a tragic turn of events led to the loss of her children amidst the dense foliage, some claimed they disappeared in the gulch. Heartbroken and desperate, she spent countless years wandering the woods in search of them. 

Over time, her grief transformed her into a creature of the forest, forever intertwined with the greenery around her. In some variations she was mad about no one helping her find her child, so she went deeper into the forest and was never heard from again.

A Mother’s Eternal Search

In her eternal quest to find her lost children, the Green Lady of Wahiawa has become a part of the forest. Her appearance, now as green as the leaves she is draped in, mirrors the foliage of her surroundings. She is also sometimes described with green and fish-like scales and her hair covered in seaweed. Her smell of rot comes from the rotted plant covering her body.

Yet, her transformation has rendered her a desperate and sorrowful figure. Legend has it that in her unending search, she will grab any child she comes across, hoping to find her own lost offspring. This tale has instilled a sense of caution and fear among those who venture into the Wahiawa forest, particularly those with young children. The legend of the Green Lady has also spread to Wahiawa’s elementary school not too far from the gulch.

Background for the Legend of the Green Lady of Wahiawa

Where does this legend come from? Is it simply a legend told to help children away from the gulch? It is seemingly a pretty new legend as the mention of cars are a big part of the lore. It is pretty different from the Green Lady of Europe, where she most often is a noble woman in Scotland. But is it really a Hawaiian creature? 

It looks more like the Japanese mythological creature called the Kappa, and some sources even call the Green Lady of Wahiawa the Hawaiian Kappa. This water creature is a child snatching a turtle-like humanoid. Japanese folklore and mythology has influenced a lot of the modern Hawaiian ghost stories because of immigration and there are plenty of quintessential Japanese ghost stories found in Hawaii, or merged with Hawaiian culture like the story of the Green Lady.

Kappa: In traditional Japanese folklore a kappa (河童, “river-child”) s a reptiloid kami with similarities to yōkai. Kappa can become harmful when not respected as gods. Accounts typically depict them as green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet and turtle-like carapaces on their backs. A depression on the head, called a “dish” (Japanese: sara), retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost (either through spilling or drying up), a kappa becomes severely weakened.

The sighting of the Green Lady of Wahiawa goes at least as far back as 1957, when some children were questioned by the police after claiming to have seen her in the gulch behind the school gymnasium. 

Is the legend of the Green Lady of Wahiawa a dying legend though? The last reported sighting is sad to have happened in the mid or perhaps late 1980s. But still, children and teens keep challenging each other to run across the bridge that runs over the gulch where she is said to roam. 

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References:

The Green Lady Of Wahiawa – Information

The Green Lady – The Mask of Reason  

Folklore in Hawaii – Wikipedia 

https://njahs.blogspot.com/2011/01/kappa-and-haunted-ponds-of-hawaii.html

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The Mythology of Madame Pele Haunting Hawai’i

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Goddess of fire and volcanoes in Hawaiian mythology, the ghost of Madame Pele is said to haunt the islands. As an old woman hitchhiking along the road to a beautiful woman warning about a volcanic eruption, this goddess never left the islands. 

Mai ka Lua a‘u i hele mai nei, mai Kīlauea,
Ke kui ‘ia maila e nā wāhine o ka Lua ē
‘O Puna lehua ‘ula i ka papa
I ‘ula i ka papa ka lehua o Puna

From the crater I’ve come, from Kīlauea,
The women of the caldera have strung leis
The foundation of Puna is crimson, covered in lehua blossoms.
Sacred is the fountain covered with the lehua blossoms of Puna
– Chants for pele are performed at Halemaʻumaʻu, where it is said Pele currently resides.

Can a goddess become a ghost? Can her presence haunt the place she once resided over? Madame Pele is said to be the goddess of volcanoes and fires in Hawaiian religion, but also the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. She is often referred to as Madame Pele or Tūtū Pele to show respect and known as “She who shapes the sacred land.” Even when the old religion was officially abolished in 1819, people still kept believing in her and her ways found ways to stay in the modern world that was changing Hawaiians ancient ways drastically. 

The Kilauea volcano is believed to be inhabited by a family of fire gods, her siblings being connected with other elements, and there are many stories about her, especially about her being passionate, power hungry and jealous with a fiery temper. 

Madame Pele: Painting of Pele by Hawaiian artist & historian Herbert “Herb” Kawainui Kāne

Legend has it that Madame Pele herself journeyed on her canoe from the island of Tahiti to Hawaiʻi. Some say she came from the mystical floating land Kuaihelani or perhaps even a land said to be “close to the clouds.” The chronology of Pele’s journey corresponds with the geological age of the Hawaiian islands.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

When on her journey, it was said she tried to create fires on different islands, but her sister, Nāmaka, was chasing her, wanting to put an end to her. In the end, the two sisters fought each other and Madame Pele was killed. With this happening, her body was destroyed but her spirit lives in Halemaʻumaʻu on Kilauea. They say, “Her body is the lava and steam that comes from the volcano”. 

This is only one of the many stories tying her to the Kilauea volcano, and many other stories tell about her family, her travels and how she is connected to the nature she passed on her journey. But we will here focus about the legends of her haunting the Hawaiian islands that the islanders still takes very seriously

Madame Pele’s Warning about Volcanic Eruptions

The locals also sometimes believe that Madame Pele warns the locals about the oncoming eruptions and appears and manifests either before or during the eruptions from the volcanoes. 

She can also change form, appearing as a white dog or with the dog accompanying her. She also appears as an old woman with white hair, or as a beautiful young woman. She is said to be wearing a red muumuu, long white dress or even dark and ashy clothing.

Read Also: Ghosts Haunting Hawaii’s Volcano House and the Volcano Goddess

The dog is sometimes a manifestation of her, sometimes her pet, sitting on the slopes of Mauna Loa where no real dog could survive.

Mauna Loa Volcano: lava flow from Mauna Loa during its 1984 eruption.

This is perhaps one of the newer tales about her ghost or spirit lingering in the world, but at least since the 1930s, there have been many tales about how people claim to have encountered her, on the road, before an eruption or close to the volcanoes.

Haunting of Madame Pele

There are many ghost stories where Madame Pele appears or that people think that Tūtū Pele must be behind. 

One urban legend claims that she is walking along the roads close to Kīlauea. If passersby are trying to stop her or talk to her, she is said to vanish, like in the same way the ghosts of the Vanishing Hitchhiker legend does. 

Over a ten year period, one named Katherine Luomala, collected 48 different variations of the legend where Tūtū Pele showed up as the character from the vanishing hitchhiker legend. She sometimes accepts the offers of getting a lift before vanishing, or even just asks for a cigarette before going away. In some stories she gets revenge on those refusing to give her a ride.

Read More: Check out the urban legend of the Vanishing Hitchhiker

If you have seen her, you are obligated to spread the word and warn others about the oncoming eruption she is warning about, or face the consequences when you suffer misfortune in the next eruption. 

According to people living on the Big Island, they have the saying: “Never refuse an old lady – she might be Madame Pele.”

The Ghost of Madame Pele’s Man

The legend of Madame Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanic fire, relates how she fell in love with a man called Lohiʻau, but found that he had died. She found his ghost as a thin presence in a cave, and with great difficulty used her magical powers to restore him to life or her sister Hiʻiaka, goddess of hula, did it. 

He was destroyed again as Tūtū Pele killed Lohiʻau herself in a fit of rage, but his ghost was again found, this time in the form of a bird flitting over the waters, and was once more restored to life.

Pork over Pali Highway

There is also the case of bringing pork over the Pali Highway, which is Route 61 on Oahu. If you do bring the pork though, there are stories about the cars stalling when you drive over it and wont start again before you throw the pork out. 

What is the reasoning for the pork rules on this road? According to some it comes from the feud Madame Pele had with Kamapuaa, the pig-man god. He was her husband but cheated on her. When she discovered it, they divided the island into two territories they would not be allowed to cross.

Read More: The Haunted Nuʻuanu Pali Drive and Highway and Morgan’s Corner 

Another variation of this story is over Saddle Road on the Big Island, where drivers crossing between east and west should not be carrying pork with them. This particular stretch of Saddle Road is also a location where many claim to have seen Madame Pele.

The Painting of Tūtū Pele

About 1929, D. Howard Hitchcock made an oil painting of Madame Pele that his son donated to the park In 1966, where it was displayed in the visitor center from 1966 to 2005. The painting was criticized for portraying the Hawaiian goddess as one with European features.

Madame Pele: The painting many know the Madame Pele by today, painted by D. Howard Hitchcock

In 2003, the Volcano Art Center announced a competition for a “more modern and culturally authentic rendering” of the goddess.” An anonymous judging panel of Native Hawaiian elders selected a painting by Arthur Johnsen of Puna, Hawaii from 140 entries. In Johnsen’s painting, the goddess has distinctly Polynesian features, holding a digging stick (ʻōʻō) in her left hand and the egg that gave birth to her younger sister Hiʻiaka in her right hand. In 2005, the Hitchcock was replaced with Johnsen’s painting.

Madame Pele’s Curse of the National Parks

In addition to people claiming the dog is a warning of death, there is also the story about Madame Pele’s curse in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It is said that if you take a lava rock or even sand away from the Hawaiian islands, something Madame Pele sees as her own children, you will have bad luck until it is returned 

There are plenty of sand and stones that are taken from the land every year, but there is also a thing when people bring it back because they think they are cursed. This is also the case with Cursed Artifacts from the Grand Canyon and Bodie Ghost Town Frozen in Time with strong legends of people thinking they are cursed if they remove something from the place. 

People blame when their pets die, losing their jobs or houses burn down on Madame Pele’s wrath. But what is really behind the curse?

The National Park Service as well as hotels around the islands claim that every year they receive the things taken by post, by tourists seeking Madame Pele’s forgiveness. 

Cursed Lava Rocks: Kilauea Volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Many believe the curse, but there are also many saying that the curse was invented in the mid-20th century by park rangers tired of the tourists taking stuff all the time or perhaps even by the bus drivers, tired about the sandy and dirty buses, as there really is no old tradition for this legend from the Hawaiian folklore. There are at least written records of it since 1946.

In fact, when westerners first arrived they learned from the local Hawaiian that they shouldn’t pick the flowers from the Ohia tree, eating the Ohelo berries or touch the rocks, as it could reflect badly on the Hawaiians and she mostly retaliated in a volcano eruption, not giving people bad luck. 

Madame Pele’s Haunting Today

Even though you don’t believe the curse, believe the law that forbids people from taking Hawaiian nature from the islands.

Unlike many old deities from ancient religions, the belief in Madame Pele and people practicing their faith to her continues even to this day. 

Pele practitioners leave flower leis, food wrapped in “ti” leaves and other offerings on the edge of volcanoes as a sign of respect. Often they leave berries, and sometimes in newer times, gin has started to become a thing to offer. Rangers in the parks seldom interfere with the visits, which often include special hula dances and chanting.

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References:

Pele’s Curse – Wikipedia 

Pele (deity) – Wikipedia

Pele and Lava Rocks | Snopes.com 

Hawaii’s hot rocks blamed by tourists for bad luck / Goddess said to curse those who take a piece of her island

Hawaii’s hot rocks blamed by tourists for bad luck / Goddess said to curse those who take a piece of her island

The Curse of Pele: A Tourist Legend – Multo (Ghost) 

Pele & Hiʻiaka (U.S. National Park Service) 

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Ghosts Haunting Hawaii’s Volcano House and the Volcano Goddess

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The haunted hotel known as The Volcano House in Hawaii is believed to be haunted, not only by ghosts, but also by the goddess of fire and volcanoes.

In the vast expanse of the Hawaiian Islands, where the fiery heart of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, pulses beneath the earth’s surface, a haunted tale unfolds within the shadows of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park with its two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Amidst the rugged landscapes and smoldering craters, the eerie whispers of the past beckon visitors to the historic Volcano House south on The Island of Hawaii.

Hawaii Volcano House: Old Volcano House No. 42 — the building that was used as the Volcano House Hotel from 1877 to 1921.It now houses a gallery for the Volcano Art Center, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. // Source: W Nowicki/Wikimedia

The Haunted Volcano House

The Volcano House is today a series of historic hotels built at the summit of the active shield volcano Kīlauea is over 200 000 years old and still erupting. The very word means spewing and refers to the lava that keeps pouring out from it. In 2018 they had to shut down the entire park because of the explosions, toxic ash clouds and earthquakes.

Standing as a silent witness to centuries of volcanic activity on the border of the park, over the Halema’uma’u Crater, the original building holds the legend and history of something much older than the park from 1916.

Kīlauea became a tourist attraction in the 1840s, and businessmen such as Benjamin Pitman and George Lycurgus operated a series of hotels at the rim, including Volcano House, which is the only hotel or restaurant located within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Hotels

It was first built in 1846 as a one-room shelter of grass and native ohia wood poles before expanding in 1866. However, the echoes of the past took a haunting turn in 1940 when a fierce fire consumed the original structure, leaving behind only the ashes and the lingering spirits that called it home. Ironically enough a fire started in the kitchen, not by the volcano.

Volcano House: Volcano House Hotel circa 1866, at the edge of Kilauea volcano. Mark Twain stayed here and wrote about it in his book “Roughing It”.

The Ghost of the Elderly Woman at the Volcano House

From the ashes the volcanoes left behind of the original house, rose a new hotel. But with the new hotel came a disturbance in the ethereal realm, and it is said that from then on the hotel became a haunted one. 

Many who have wandered through its halls of both staff working as well as guests staying, have reported encounters with the ghostly apparition of an elderly woman adorned in 1800s attire. She has no name, no history and no one knows who she was.

She is said to wander the corridors, making unexpected appearances in various rooms, as if tethered to the memories that linger within the walls.

The Haunting of Madame Pele

There are also tales of a phantom dog that materializes in the shadows of the Volcano House. There are also tales about how the guests are greeted by a white dog on the road up to the hotel.

Folklore intertwines with the supernatural, and there are speculation that this canine apparition could be a manifestation of Pele herself, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, volcanoes and lightning. Legends where Pele manifests are often accompanied with a dog at her side, or that this is one of her forms.

Where and when the story about guests seeing ghosts came from, no one really knows. Some have put forth the theory that she is the one behind the haunting of the hotel and that the ghost of the dog is just one of the forms her spirit takes on when haunting the place.

Madame Pele: Said to be the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. Is she the one haunting the hotel?

The Mythology of Pele

But who is this Pele said to haunt not only one place in Hawaii, but the whole state? Pele is said to be the goddess of volcanoes and fires in Hawaiian religion, but also the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. She is often referred to as Madame Pele or Tūtū Pele  to show respect and known as “She who shapes the sacred land.” Even when the old religion was officially abolished in 1819, people still kept believing in her and her ways found ways to stay in the modern world that was changing Hawaiians ancient ways drastically. 

Pele Goddess of Fire

The volcano itself is believed to be inhabited by a family of fire gods, her siblings being connected with other elements, and there are many stories about her, especially about her being passionate, power hungry and jealous with a fiery temper. 

Legend has it that Pele herself journeyed on her canoe from the island of Tahiti to Hawaiʻi. Some say she came from the mystical floating land Kuaihelani or perhaps even a land said to be “close to the clouds.”

When on her journey, it was said she tried to create fires on different islands, but her sister, Nāmaka, was chasing her, wanting to put an end to her. In the end, the two sisters fought each other and Pele was killed. With this happening, her body was destroyed but her spirit lives in Halemaʻumaʻu on Kilauea. They say, “Her body is the lava and steam that comes from the volcano. 

This is only one of the many stories tying her to the volcano. The locals also sometimes believe that Pele warns the locals about the oncoming eruptions. She can also change form,  appearing as a white dog, old woman with white hair, or as a beautiful young woman in a red muumuu.

The Haunted Volcano House

The Volcano House, perched on the edge of nature’s fiery spectacle, stands as a testament to the complex interplay between history and the supernatural. If Madame Pele is haunting the hotel is uncertain, but it is said that George Lycurgus, who ran the hotel for years and years used to pray to her for the sake of the tourists. Although many park rangers didn’t like how he did it as he kept throwing finished gin bottles into the crater to show her respect. 

As the molten core of Pele continues to shape the island’s destiny, the Volcano House remains a portal to the otherworldly—a place where the veil between the living and the departed is as thin as the wisps of volcanic smoke that rise from the earth below.

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References:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/volcano-house-haunted-hotel-hi

Kīlauea – Wikipedia

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park – Wikipedia

Volcano House – Wikipedia