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The Haunting of King Intermediate School: Spirits on the Windward Side of O’ahu

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Who is the one haunting the King Intermediate School on Oahu and wandering the halls of the school as a ghost?

On the windward side of Oʻahu, King Intermediate School is more than just a place of education—it’s a notorious hotspot for the supernatural. The S.W. King Intermediate School, named after Samuel Wilder King the 11th governor of the State of Hawaiʻi, is a public intermediate School in Kāneʻohe with around 530 students. From King, the students will continue to Castle High School to complete their education. But according to stories, some never left. 

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Since it opened its doors in 1964, this school has been whispered about in hushed tones among locals, who claim it is one of the most haunted places on the island. With eerie apparitions, invisible assailants, and stories of mysterious forces lurking in the shadows, King Intermediate School has earned its chilling reputation.

Ghostly Encounters and Unseen Forces

The Honolulu Police Department occasionally receives distress calls from the school, especially after hours, reporting the sounds of breaking glass or suspected vandals roaming the grounds. Officers responding to these calls often experience something far more unnerving. As they walk the empty halls and darkened corners, rocks are inexplicably thrown at them, rattling against walls and windows. Despite their thorough searches, they never find anyone responsible. 

A former principal of King Intermediate School shares a particularly disturbing encounter that took place in one of the older classrooms. According to his account, teachers and students alike reported seeing a dark, shadowy figure standing at the back of the room. The figure would appear and disappear without warning, looming ominously in the corner. When it manifested, a low, menacing voice could be heard saying, “Get out” in Hawaiian. Those who have witnessed the figure say it feels like a command, not a suggestion, and leaves an icy chill in its wake.

The Dark Energy Lurking in the Shadows

One of the most chilling stories from King Intermediate involves a substitute teacher who was on duty for what seemed like an ordinary school day. As she was preparing a lesson, an unseen force violently shoved her from behind, pushing her into a storage closet. The door slammed shut behind her, locking her in the dark. The students, who witnessed the entire event, were paralyzed with fear, screaming and scrambling out of their seats. 

Students and faculty at King Intermediate School have grown accustomed to the strange happenings on campus, but that doesn’t mean they’ve come to accept them. Many stories have been passed around the school as well, and one of them is about a student who supposedly attended the school. According to the story, he hanged himself from a Banyan tree in front of the school’s library. If you flashed light at the tree in the night it was said that you could see his ghost hanging from the tree. 

A Place of Unrest at King Intermediate School

While many schools have their fair share of ghost stories and strange occurrences, the tales from King Intermediate School are too numerous and too eerie to ignore. The accounts of rocks being thrown, shadowy figures issuing chilling commands, and unseen forces attacking staff make it a place where the past and the present seem to collide in unsettling ways.

For now, the school continues to operate, with its students and staff going about their daily routines, all while knowing they may be sharing the space with entities from another realm and that the students running around the building might as well be ghosts of former students.

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References:

Shadowlands Haunted Places Index – Hawaii 

S.W. King Intermediate – About Us 

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

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

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The Haunted Legends of The Man in Black at Coquina Beach

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Beach goers to Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida claim to have seen the ghost of a man wandering in the sand. Said to be one of the victims when a ship wrecked, he is said to be on the lookout for his ship mates. 

Florida’s Gulf Coast is no stranger to ghost stories. From pirate curses to haunted inns, this sun-drenched paradise hides its darkness well. But ask the locals near Anna Maria Island, and they’ll tell you there’s something different about Coquina Beach. Something older. Something that still walks the shore after dark.

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Coquina Beach, on the southern end of Anna Maria Island Florida, is an old style Florida beach on the Gulf of Mexico. With tall pine trees lining the beach. This isn’t the Florida of postcard sunsets and seashell souvenirs. This is a place where the past refuses to be buried by the tide.

Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr

The Man in Black Roaming Coquina Beach

Midnight swimmers claim to have heard voices whispering on the darkened beach. There are also tales of the ghost of an old man wandering the beach, looking confused. He has been seen roaming the beach, from the Long Boat Key Bridge to the Three Piers Beach. 

This elderly man or figure dressed in black is one of the most persistent legends on Coquina Beach involving a ghostly figure in black clothings. Sometimes he is known as the Man in Black or the Black Phantom. 

Disappearing Footprints and Phantom Voices

Beyond these apparitions, Coquina Beach is home to subtler haunts. Visitors have reported footprints in the sand that appear with no one around to make them, cold spots even on sweltering summer nights, and the inexplicable scent of salt and woodsmoke where no fire has burned.

Some claim to hear voices in the darkness — hushed conversations, ghostly cries, or the unmistakable call of a ship’s bell lost to the waves decades ago. During heavy storms, the wind seems to carry old sea shanties, sung in languages long abandoned to history.

b-cline/Flickr

A Shoreline Stained by Shipwrecks

Now, who would be the one to haunt Coquina Beach? Stretching along the southern tip of Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach was once a notorious graveyard for ships. Treacherous currents, sudden storms, and hidden sandbars made this stretch of coast perilous for sailors navigating the Gulf of Mexico.

Wrecks were common, and with them came loss of life and the desperate cries of men swallowed by the surf. Some say the remains of long-forgotten ships still lie buried beneath the sands, their rusted ribs exposed by heavy storms.

Some have speculated that the man dressed in black was one of eight crewmen on the sunken cargo steamer the Regina in 1940, and has been looking for a long lost friend.

There also used to be a hotel at the southern end of the beach. It was torn down and made into a public picnic area. Could the ghosts have something to do with the old hotel?

The Gulf’s Forgotten Watchers

Coquina Beach might look like a postcard-perfect escape by day, but those who know its history understand it’s a place where the past hangs thick in the salt air. 

Manatee County marine rescue chief Jay Moyles, who is in charge of the lifeguards at Coquina Beach, said he’s heard of the “man in black” apparition over the years, but none of the lifeguards have reported to him that they saw anything resembling the figure. And no member of the public has ever reported a “man in black” walking on Coquina Beach, and then disappearing into the water.

Still, the local legends claim he has turned up multiple places along the beach. Shipwrecked sailors, lost lovers, and mournful spirits linger here, bound to a shore that remembers every tragedy.

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References:

https://eu.palmbeachpost.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/10/26/is-this-florida-beach-haunted/7545695007

Haunted Anna Maria Island | AMI FL BLOG

5 Haunted Places to See in Siesta Key and Sarasota | Local Activities | Crescent Royale Condominiums

Sunday Favorites: Haunting the Shores of Anna Maria – The Bradenton Times

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The Haunted Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site

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Are there ghosts haunting the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site in Honolulu, Hawaii? Local legends claim that more than one ghost hides behind the curtains after the lights have switched off. 

In downtown Honolulu, the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site stands as a testament to Hawaii’s missionary era, offering a glimpse into the early 19th century when protestant missionaries came from New England. 

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The site, home to three meticulously restored houses, includes two of the oldest structures in Hawaii built in the western style. The building of these houses marks the period on Hawaii for the next decades as “the missionary period”. The site was the headquarters of the Sandwich Islands Mission from 1820 to 1863.

The Hawaiian Mission House Historic Site.// Source: Travis.Thurston/Wikimedia

Missionaries in Honolulu

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, built by New England missionaries with the aim of spreading Protestant beliefs, have become focal points for paranormal activity and has become a stop on the ghost walks and haunted tours of the city. 

The Oldest Frame House, Ka Hale La`au (The Wooden House), was erected in 1821. This building is particularly notorious for its spectral inhabitants of the missionaries said to haunt the old houses. The house was originally lived in by the seven family members of Daniel Chamberlain, but it soon grew to a multi-family home for much of its mission history. 

The Chamberlain House: The Oldest Frame House, Ka Hale La’au, built in 1821, is a central feature of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, known for its haunted history. Here a picture from 1910.

In addition to the Chamberlain family and the rest of the missionaries, the Ka Hale La’au also housed ailing sailors or orphans as well, with the small parlor serving as a schoolhouse. Question is, who is haunting it to this day? 

The Haunting of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site

Although all of the houses are from this time period, the Oldest Frame House is often the one said to be the most haunted. The particulars and details about the haunting and fleshed out legends are few and far between. 

Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions of missionary women although who they could be is uncertain as so many people passed through the house throughout the years.

People are also said to have heard the faint, disembodied sounds of children playing. These phantom children are thought to be the spirits of those who once lived and played here. Could it be the children of the missionaries who never got the chance to grow up? Or perhaps it could be some of the orphans who were placed there?

For those who dare to explore the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, the experience is a journey through time and the supernatural. The combination of the rich and certainly complex history of missionaries and colonization echoes through the buildings, as well as its haunted rumors. 

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References:

About – Hawaiian Mission Houses 

See The Haunted Side Of Hawaii’s Honolulu On This Unique Tour 

25 Haunted Places in Oahu That Will Make You Squirm – tripcheats.com 

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives – Great American Treasures 

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives – Wikipedia 

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The Don CeSar Hotel Haunting: The Pink Palace on St. Pete Beach

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After building his Pink Palace on St. Pete Beach in Florida, Thomas Rowe still couldn’t get over his true love, the opera singer he met as a student. Staff at the Don CeSar Hotel claim that the two lovers were reunited in the afterlife and are still lingering at the hotel. 

Florida’s Gulf Coast isn’t all sugar-white beaches and turquoise tides. Beneath the sunshine and salt air, its shores cradle legends older than their glitzy resorts and postcard-perfect sunsets. And if there’s one place in St. Pete Beach where the past refuses to stay buried, it’s at the Don CeSar Hotel — better known to locals as The Pink Palace.

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This towering, rosy-hued monument to 1920s decadence holds more than history within its walls. It holds a love story cut short, a founder lost too soon, and the lingering spirits of those who never truly checked out.

The Pink Palace: The iconic Don CeSar Hotel, known as The Pink Palace, stands majestically on St. Pete Beach, reflecting its 1920s architectural grandeur. It is believed to be haunted by the founder, Thomas Rowe.

A Glamorous Beginning Shrouded in Heartbreak

When estate mogul, Thomas Rowe opened the Don CeSar in 1928 on the beach close to St. Petersburg near Tampa, Florida, it was the epitome of Jazz Age luxury. Nicknamed The Pink Lady because of the color, it quickly became a playground for the rich and famous — from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Al Capone. 

But behind the glittering parties and ocean views lurked a tragic love story that would forever haunt the halls of this seaside palace.

As the legend goes, Rowe fell deeply in love with Lucinda de Guzman, a Spanish opera singer he met while studying architecture in London in the 1890s. She starred in Maritana, an opera where the hero was named Don César de Bazan — a name Rowe would later bestow upon his dream hotel.

Maritana: Cigar box from 1883 showing a scene from the opera Maritana. A story about a gypsy street singer in Madrid and her love affair with Charles II, the young king of Spain

In other versions they met at the opera, or Rowe took her to see it on their first date, it varies. They would meet outside the opera by a fountain, planning their life together. 

But fate was unkind. Lucinda’s family, who was of Spanish nobility, forbade the match, and the lovers were cruelly separated and their plans to marry fell apart. Rowe moved back to the U.S and married someone else, but continued to send her letters, but only one ever returned: a newspaper clipping announcing Lucinda’s death, with a simple, heart-wrenching note attached: “My beloved Don Cesar.”

Death in the Pink Palace

In 1940, just over a decade after realizing his dream, Thomas Rowe suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack in his lobby. He never left a will and the hotel was left in disrepair by his wife until the army bought it to turn it into a hospital during the war. 

Some say it was heartbreak that finally claimed him. The Don CeSar passed from his hands — but Rowe, it seems, never truly left.

By 1969, the hotel was completely abandoned and the pink paint covered with graffiti and the only guests staying were ghosts. At first they wanted to tear down the whole building, but fate would have it otherwise.  In 1973 it opened up again as a hotel after the franchise owner of Holiday Inn bought it. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from haunted hotels around the world

Today, staff and guests alike whisper of ghostly figures seen wandering the hotel’s sun-soaked corridors. A man in an old-fashioned linen suit and a Panama hat is often spotted strolling through the courtyard or pausing on the grand staircase or by the fountain that he built as close he could to their fountain outside the opera house. Some claim he’s seen standing beside a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing, traditional Spanish gown, her hair dark and eyes eternally searching.

Eerie Encounters in the Halls

In addition to Thomas Rowe lingering in the hotel he built, it is also believed that some of the haunting comes from the former patients as its time as a war hospital and convalescent center. 

Countless stories have emerged over the years from guests and employees who’ve had unexplained encounters at the Don CeSar. Lights flicker without reason. Footsteps echo in empty hallways. Doors open and close of their own accord.

More than one housekeeper has reported seeing the dapper man in the hat, only to watch him disappear around a corner. Others say the ghostly couple appears in the garden courtyard under the moonlight, standing hand in hand before dissolving into mist.

The Don’s Eternal Vigil

While some spirits cling to anger or unfinished business, Thomas Rowe’s ghost seems bound by love. It’s said he roams the Pink Palace not in torment, but in eternal search of the woman he lost. 

How true was the love story in the afterlife though? No playbill with Maritana mentions a woman named Lucinda. Did it even play in London in the 1890s? As it was a British opera, it does make sense he did see it when he was a student in England though. 

Although Lucinda was not on the playbill as an opera singer, the House of Guzmán is a real Castilian royal family. 

Source

According to some articles, the story wasn’t even told until its reopening and the tragic love story was a marketing strategy instead of something true. The story was apparently told in “Ghostly Encounters: True Stories of America’s Inns and Hotels,” by Frances Kermeen, and when asked where she had gotten the story from, she answered from her PR contact of the hotel. 

Today, St. Pete Beach thrives as a laid-back, sun-drenched getaway. But as dusk falls and the Gulf sun sinks beneath the horizon, the Pink Palace casts long shadows across the sand. It’s in those moments that guests swear the past comes alive — a timeless echo of love, loss, and unending devotion.

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References:

Florida’s Fairy-Tale “Pink Palace” Hides A Chilling Secret

Seeks Ghosts: Haunted Don CeSar Hotel

The Don CeSar – Wikipedia

The Lost Love of Thomas Rowe – The Gabber Newspaper

In The News | Historic Hotels of America 

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The Haunting of Diamond Head Tennis Courts: The Ghost of Rotting Flesh

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Lurking around the Diamond Head Tennis Courts in Honolulu, it is said that a ghost smelling of rotting flesh has been spotted on several occasions. Who was he, and was does he want from the living? 

At the edge of Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, beneath the majestic slopes of Diamond Head, lies a popular sports destination—the Diamond Head Tennis Center. These courts, surrounded by towering banyan trees and lush greenery, may seem like the perfect place for a casual game of tennis, but behind the swaying branches and the quiet hum of the park, a chilling tale lingers in the shadows.

A Specter Among the Banyan Trees

Visitors to the Diamond Head Tennis Courts at 3908 Paki Avenue often come for exercise and recreation, yet many have left with stories of something far more sinister. Lurking among the courts is said to be the ghost of an angry man who reeks of rotting flesh. This spectral figure has been seen pacing back and forth near the courts as though guarding something—or perhaps someone.

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Players and park-goers have reported seeing him out of the corner of their eye, a shadowy figure trudging along the fence, his presence undeniable but fleeting. He never seems to engage with those who spot him, but the unsettling stench of decay hangs in the air long after he’s disappeared from sight. 

A Mysterious History

The most unsettling aspect of this haunting is the stench. Long after the figure vanishes, the smell lingers, as if the air itself is tainted by the specter’s presence. Not much else about this supposed ghost is known.

The origins of this ghostly figure are unclear, as is much of the area’s past. Who was he? How did he die? When did the story about people seeing his ghost start to be told? While no records explicitly state what was there before the courts, the area’s long leaves much room for speculation.

What makes this ghost particularly eerie is his apparent role as a guard or sentry. Witnesses often describe him as pacing the same path, as if protecting something hidden beneath the courts. Others speculate that he could be a more recent victim, someone who met a tragic and violent end in the park’s history, left to rot in obscurity.

Shadows of Kapiolani Park: Ghosts found in the Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park

The story of the ghost haunting the Tennis court is not the only place nearby said to be haunted, although the stories of the ghosts are very different. 

Kapiolani Park that the Tennis court is connected to, is not only a serene escape but also a site steeped in haunting legends linked to historical events like the Battle of Nu’uanu and ancient human sacrifices with some stories of its own.

Read the whole story: Shadows of Kapiolani Park: Ghosts found in the Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park

Established in 1877, this park sits on what was once a battlefield during King Kamehameha I’s quest to unify the Hawaiian Islands, leaving a legacy marked by violence and tragedy. Rumors suggest the site may have also hosted human sacrifices at a nearby heiau, further adding to its eerie reputation. Additionally, tales of plague victims and the spiritual presence of ancient Hawaiian warriors known as Night Marchers contribute to numerous ghost stories, as visitors report chilling experiences and sightings of shadowy figures, amplifying the park’s dark past.

An Unsettled Spirit at Diamond Head Tennis Courts

For now, the rotting ghost of Diamond Head remains a dark and disturbing figure among the banyan trees, pacing restlessly along the courts, guarding secrets that may never be revealed. If you ever visit the courts for a game, be sure to keep an eye on the shadows—and perhaps bring a nose clip. You never know when the ghost of the man who smells of death will decide to make his presence known.

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References:

THE GHOST AT THE MĀNOA TENNIS COURTS – PBS Hawai‘i 

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The Faceless Ghost of Old Waialae Drive-In Theater

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A particular faceless ghost was said to haunt the Old Waialae Drive-In Theater in Honolulu. Even after it was closed down, people have talked and whispered about the ghost that appeared in the women’s bathroom. 

In vibrant Honolulu, Hawaii, at the intersection of Waialae Avenue and 21st Avenue, stood the Old Waialae Drive-In Theater—a cherished entertainment spot that opened on May 24, 1956. Operated by Royal Theatres, this outdoor cinema had a capacity of 790 cars and quickly became a popular destination for families and film enthusiasts. Its grand opening featured classics like “Elephant Walk” starring Elizabeth Taylor and James Stewart’s “The Naked Spur,” heralding a new era of leisure and entertainment in the community.

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For three decades, the Old Waialae Drive-In thrived, offering the magic of the silver screen under the Hawaiian stars. However, as the years passed, the theater began to show signs of age and, by January 1986, it played its final film, “Young Sherlock Holmes.” The beloved drive-in then closed its gates forever, making way for an upscale subdivision across from Kahala Mall. Yet, long before its demolition, the Old Waialae Drive-In was known not just for its cinematic charm but for its eerie, unexplained phenomena that haunted the premises, particularly in the women’s restroom.

Local legend tells of a ghostly presence that lurked in the ladies’ room—a faceless woman with long, flowing hair. This apparition was said to haunt the restroom stalls, creating a spine-chilling atmosphere that left many visitors unnerved. Witnesses recounted hearing frantic pounding on stall doors and seeing the spectral figure appear in the restroom mirror, her blank face a terrifying void.

Encounters with the Unknown

Newspaper article

Stories of encounters with the faceless woman spread quickly among the patrons and employees, and it even reached the newspapers on May 19 in 1959. 

A girl left her car around midnight to fix her lipstick in the restroom. She looked into the mirror and saw a figure standing behind her, describing the ghost with long hair, but having no face to look back at her. The ghost had no legs, and only a torso, floating above the ground. 

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When she turned around, there was no one there. The door suddenly slammed shut and the lock turned by an unseen force. The girl, scared out of her mind, fainted and had to recover from the shock in a hospital. 

This is not the only version of the story that was told during this time though. According to other sources the woman had come into the restroom and seen a woman standing in front of the mirror, combing her long hair. When she approached and said something, the woman turned to her, revealing she had no face. Also this version ended with the girl who encountered the ghost ending up in a hospital because of the shock. 

The Drive-In’s Dark Legacy

The Old Waialae Drive-In’s proximity to an old cemetery only fueled the chilling tales. Some believed the faceless woman was a restless spirit from the graveyard, seeking solace or perhaps revenge. Others speculated she might be the ghost of a woman who had met a tragic end nearby and buried there, her spirit forever bound to the place of her untimely demise and the theater built on top of it. Regardless of her origin, the faceless woman’s presence was an indelible part of the theater’s lore.

Despite these ghostly encounters, the Old Waialae Drive-In remained a beloved local landmark until its closure. In fact, when the frenzy of the ghost stories spread, it was reported that people flocked to the theater, and business was booming of people trying to watch a movie as well as looking for the ghost.

But how real it was. According to Albert Silva who worked as the manager for the Drive-in, he had never heard people talk about ghosts before this happened. He also mentioned that there used to be a girl coming to the place often to play pranks on people in the restroom. Could this have been the end of it?

The Legend Resurface at Old Waialae Drive-In

It was not the end of the tales of the faceless woman in the restroom. Also in 1982 the tale started spreading again, sounding very similar to the one told in 1959. Could the ghost have made a new appearance? She was also reported to have appeared in 1992.

Added to the story from 1959, some versions tell of seeing a fireball after seeing the ghost in 1969. According to the stories it was a three-foot wide ball of fire that flew about thirty feet into the air before hurling into the screen of the Old Waialae Drive-In.

There have also been talks about her banging on the bathroom doors when people are inside and appearing almost like she is sick or drunk. Sometimes her hair is black, sometimes it’s red. 

According to Glen Grant who wrote the Obake Files in 1996, there were also stories about three people that had seen her who died later, although there really aren’t any stories about the ghost actually harming them other than giving them a real fright. 

Traces of the Legend other Places

So what type of ghost are we really talking about here haunting the Old Waialae Drive-In? According to Grant and many others, he draws the lines on what was told about at the Drive-In to ghost stories from Japan. There really aren’t many ghost stories involving faceless ghosts in Polynesian or Western culture, but there certainly is in Japanese folklore, and Japanese immigration to Hawaii is certainly seen in many aspects of the storytelling from the islands. 

Read Also: Check also out The Haunting of Kaimuki House: A Tale of Terror and Tragedy also said to be a ghost story inspired by Japanese mythology.

Many describe the ghost in this story as a Mujina. The Mujina ghost is a well-known figure in Japanese folklore, meaning badger, often depicted as a shapeshifting spirit or yōkai capable of taking on various forms, including that of a faceless woman. 

But does the Mujina type of ghost really fit though? They are certainly often used interchangeably, but are often seen as more like a creature like the Kitsune than a ghost. Although, the Mujina has tales about omitting a ghost-fire, perhaps like the fireball reported on. 

Another type of ghost from Japanese folklore is the Noppera-bō, or faceless ghost, is a creature from Japanese folklore known for its eerie ability to appear human until it reveals its blank, smooth face devoid of eyes, nose, or mouth. The Noppera-bō are often referred to as a mujina by mistake. These yōkai, often encountered in deserted or secluded areas such as roadsides, forests, or quiet urban settings, typically startle their victims by first appearing as ordinary people. They might even engage in conversation before their facial features suddenly vanish, leaving a blank visage that evokes shock and terror. 

Japanese Noppera-bō Source

The Cinema with the Same Haunted Story

In addition to the old traces of Japanese folklore, the place has an eerie resemblance to another theater where the same type of story circulated. The former East Town Theatre in Hong Kong also had a story similar to this. A girl went into the bathroom there and brushed her hair in front of the mirror. Although in this cinema, the ghost took her head off to brush the hair in the sink. Some also say the ghost was just standing there, no mention of it being faceless. According to this story though, the girl ran out from the bathroom, but fell over and died after the encounter. 

To read more about this story and the other ghost stories from this place, head over to the Movie Watching Ghosts at East Town Theatre. Another detail about this haunted cinema, was that this too was rumored to be built on top of an old funeral parlor. Could the two theaters have similar stories, or perhaps been inspired by each other, despite being oceans apart?

The Legacy of the Drive-In

The haunting of the Old Waialae Drive-In Theater is still told, even after the place was torn down in 1986 and there is now a housing development of the Nohona Kahala gated community across from the Kahala Mall instead. Are there still people who claim to see the faceless woman roaming about? In November 1989, three years after the Old Waialae Drive-in had been torn down, the faceless woman appeared in the basement of a hospital in Honolulu

Is she still seen though? This once popular story seems to have died down in the last decades. Those who remember the theater can’t help but wonder about the faceless woman’s fate and whether her spirit still roams, forever tied to the memories of the old drive-in that once stood at Waialae Avenue and 21st Avenue.

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References:

Waialae Drive-In in Honolulu, HI – Cinema Treasures 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/258231972/?clipping_id=10984210&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI1ODIzMTk3MiwiaWF0IjoxNzIxODk0MTgxLCJleHAiOjE3MjE5ODA1ODF9.7MbdbgWE509sM220lD6YVUzNJr0agXinL2qoyJD-CQE

Searching the Home of Mujina: For Glen Grant – Part 1 

The Faceless Woman of Oahu | Monsters Here & There

Mujina – Wikipedia 

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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 of Manzanita Beach and the buried Treasure on Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon

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Said to be guarded by the ghosts of some unfortunate victims murdered, it is said that a treasure of gold is buried on Neahkahnie Mountain by a Spanish Galleon coming perhaps from the Philippines to the Manzanita Beach.  

Between the chill winds of the Pacific Ocean and the misty pines of the Oregon coast lies Manzanita Beach, a quiet stretch of sand near Nehalem Bay that draws travelers with its breathtaking beauty and repels the brave of heart with something far darker. 

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At the heart of this haunting with Neahkahnie Mountain looming overhead, is a tale soaked in saltwater, blood, and betrayal, tracing back to the 17th century, when a Spanish galleon, rumored to be heavy with gold and secrets, met its end off the rugged Oregon coast.

Manzanita Beach: A serene view of Manzanita Beach, with Neahkahnie Mountain looming in the background, shrouded in mystery and legends of hidden treasure.

The Cursed Galleon and the Mountain of the Dead

Manzanita Beach in Nehalem Bay is near Neahkahnie Mountain, the supposed site of a wrecked 17th century Spanish galleon. At least two of Oregon’s historical shipwrecks occurred off the Manzanita coast: the Glenesslin in 1913, and the Santo Cristo de Burgos (disappeared 1693) which has generated rumors of treasure buried on Neahkahnie Mountain.

Spanish Manila Galleon of Treasures: An illustration of a Spanish galleon, symbolizing the legends of treasure and shipwrecks near Neahkahnie Mountain.

In those days, conquistadors were carrying boatloads of Aztec and Incan gold to Spain. Legend says the ship, possibly a Manila galleon returning from the East Indies, was pushed off course by a violent storm and wrecked near Neahkahnie Mountain, a looming and sacred landmark that towers just inland from Manzanita Beach. Spanish sailors, desperate to protect their cargo, are said to have dragged it ashore, hiding their treasure deep within the shadowed slopes of the mountain—or beneath the shifting sands of the beach itself.

The Haunted Mountains: A rugged cliffside view showcasing a stone wall along the winding road near Neahkahnie Mountain, close to Manzanita Beach.

But the most chilling part of the tale? To guard their hidden trove from local tribes, the sailors allegedly buried enslaved men alive with the gold—living sentinels forced into an eternal watch. The indigenous Tillamook people lived along the Oregon coast, including the Manzanita area for about 12,000 years. They suffered from smallpox and other illnesses brought by white settlers, and the few remaining Tillamook people were relocated to the Siletz and Grand Ronde reservations in the 1850s. They were extremely careful with graves. 

Tillamook Tribe in Oregon: Historical figures adorned in traditional attire, reflecting the cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the Oregon coast.

According to the legend, these men were either African or Southeast Asian slaves brought aboard the ship, voiceless and forgotten by history, but not, it seems, by the land.

Today, odd formations dot the beach with stone outcrops that seem too intentional, too sculpted by unseen hands.These mysterious piles of rocks that appear overnight have been happening for years, and no one knows what it is and who did it. Some believe they mark where the treasure lies. Others believe they’re graves.

Reflections of the Forgotten

Manzanita means ‘little apple’ in Spanish. Modern Manzanita may look serene, but beneath the surface, things aren’t always what they seem.

Winston Laszlo, owner of a the Old Wheeler Hotel near the beach, has shared disturbing experiences: reflections in mirrors showing people who aren’t there, voices whispering in languages long lost to time, and apparitions that flit through the dark corners of the basement—one of which he swears wears rusted chains.

“It’s like the whole place hums,” Laszlo once said. “Not loud. Not even in your ears. But in your bones.”

Some guests have reported unshakable dreams of being buried alive, of choking on sand, or of watching as shadowy figures carry chests ashore under moonlight. Even more chilling are the reports of footprints in the morning—bare, human footprints that begin at the sea and vanish into the dunes, where no one walks.

The Restless Night Watchers

On foggy nights, residents say the beach seems to breathe, as if exhaling secrets from the sea. Figures are spotted moving slowly up and down the shoreline, heads bowed, chains trailing in the sand. Dogs refuse to approach certain parts of the beach, and children sometimes say they hear men crying beneath the waves.

Folklorists and paranormal investigators who’ve visited Manzanita Beach speak of a “psychic weight” that clings to the place. Mediums have claimed to sense trapped souls, spirits that never received burial rites, still reaching out in agony, bound not just to the treasure but to their unjust end.

While no definitive archaeological discovery has ever confirmed the shipwreck or the buried gold, the legend persists. It seems to date back to the mid-1800s by the first Hudson’s Bay Company. The mountain, the beach, and the odd, chilling experiences shared by locals seem to speak to something unresolved.

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References:

Truth Behind the Story — Pirate’s Treasure « Mindy Meyers-Halleck 

Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast – Legends of America 

Manzanita, Oregon – Wikipedia 

Neahkahnie Mountain – Atlas Obscura 

The Spanish Gold of Neahkahnie Mountain 

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The Haunting of Waimea Falls Park: The Drowning Pool

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Is there something in the Drowning Pool found in Waimea Falls Park that pulls people swimming to the bottom as a sacrifice? Is this serene and beautiful place actually haunted? 

Waimea Falls Park, a picturesque location on Oahu, is not only known for its natural beauty but also for the eerie and unsettling experiences reported by visitors. Also referred to as “The Drowning Pool,” this serene waterfall harbors a darker side that few dare to explore and even ghost tours make this their stop sometimes.

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The Waimea Falls can be found on a trail that goes deep into the Waimea Valley is a majestic cascading waterfall over a sheer cliff, falling 45 feet into a deep pool below. The falls are believed to be sacred by the locals and there are many ruins of temples and Hawaiian altars, heiau around it. 

The Haunted Waimea Falls Park

As you approach Waimea Falls, you can’t help but feel a chill in the air, a sense of unease that grows stronger with each step. This foreboding atmosphere is heightened by the knowledge that these waters have claimed numerous lives over the years, with several accidental drownings staining its history. For non residential people in Hawaii on holiday, drowning is the number one cause for death. These tragic events have given rise to the belief that the Drowning Pool is haunted by the restless souls of those who met their untimely demise here.

Ken Lund/Flickr

Visitors often report sightings of ghostly apparitions near the falls, figures that appear translucent and ethereal, only to vanish when approached. Disembodied voices and whispers seem to emanate from the cascading water, often calling out names or pleading for help. These voices are particularly unsettling at night.

Unexplained sounds and sensations are also common. Some have felt an icy hand grasp their ankle while swimming, only to find no one there when they look down. Others have heard the faint sounds of crying or laughter, eerily echoing through the trees surrounding the falls. These experiences leave a lasting impression, making it difficult for some to return to the site without feeling a sense of dread.

Sacrifices to the Pool

Underneath the surface there are old small lava tubes where some believe that the ancient spirits reside according to some. Some believe that some of the people that have gone missing in these parts, have disappeared into some of the tubes, almost as a sacrifice the spirits require. 

Read also: The Haunted Banyan Trees on Manoa Falls Trail

One strange rumor that has developed through the years, is that the pool prefers mainland Americans or Europeans to claim the lives off. Whether more tourists die in this drowning pool than native locals is uncertain. This is probably because of the way tourists have been known to take more risks being on their holiday than the locals more familiar with the place, where the dangerous rocks were and the likes. Or could it really be something else?

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References:

Haunted Hawaii – Spirits of the Pacific – HubPages 

Waimea Falls a small but deep hole : r/thalassophobia 

American Ghosts and Hauntings: Shadow Divers of Waimea Falls – North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii | Jack Mc’s Blog 

Scenes from the new Waimea Valley ghost tour – Hawaii Magazine 

Waimea Falls – Hawaii Travel Guide 

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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. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

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.

Read Also: The Haunted Banyan Trees on Manoa Falls Trail

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