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The Haunted Halls of Hawai’i State Capitol: A Ghostly Visitor from the Past

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The old government building in Hawai’i is said to be haunted. Who is wandering the halls of the Hawai’i State Capitol building? 

The Hawai‘i State Capitol building in downtown Honolulu, is more than just a hub of political activity—it’s a place with a reputation for ghostly encounters and eerie tales. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

It was built in the late 1960s to move the location of the statehouse from the Iolani Palace, also believed to be haunted. Among the historic architecture and government offices, there have been whispers of strange happenings and spectral visitors, making it one of the most haunted spots in the area.

The Hawai‘i State Capitol: This building, known for its eerie tales and ghostly encounters, showcases its distinctive architecture during a stunning sunset. Who is really haunting this place?

The Story of a Friendly “Imaginary Friend”

One of the most intriguing stories of the Hawai‘i State Capitol being haunted comes from former State Senator Eloise Tungpalan, who frequently brought her young daughter to the Capitol building when she was working. One day, while working in her office, Tungpalan noticed her daughter talking, laughing, and playing with an invisible companion. Her daughter seemed to be bouncing a ball, interacting with someone who wasn’t there. Curious, Tungpalan asked her daughter who she was playing with. The girl replied, “The nice Hawaiian lady.”

At the time, Tungpalan didn’t think much of it. Perhaps it was just a child’s imagination running wild in the vast, quiet halls of the Capitol building. However, the very next morning, something happened that sent a chill down her spine. As they walked by the statue of Queen Lili‘uokalani in front of the State Capitol, her daughter suddenly pointed and said with wide eyes, “Mom, that’s the lady who played with me at the office.”

Read Also: The Haunting of ʻIolani Palace: Echoes of Royal Spirits

Could the former queen’s spirit be watching over the halls of power? Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, remains a deeply respected and beloved figure. Many believe her spirit continues to linger near places of governance, symbolizing her enduring watch over her people and homeland. To this day, some employees and visitors claim to feel an inexplicable presence near the Queen’s statue or hear soft footsteps echoing through the halls late at night.

Queen Liliʻuokalani: Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha (1838 – 1917) was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. The composer of “Aloha ʻOe” and numerous other works, she wrote her autobiography Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen (1898) during her imprisonment following the overthrow.

Other Hauntings at the Capitol

The story of the Queen’s ghostly playdate isn’t the only supernatural tale whispered about the State Capitol. Workers have reported hearing strange sounds, like voices muttering just out of earshot, or the faint rustling of papers when no one else is around. Lights flicker mysteriously, and sudden cold drafts are often felt in otherwise warm rooms. Some have even claimed to see shadowy figures moving down the hallways, vanishing around corners as soon as they come into view.

Some say that the building was built on top of a mass grave of people who died in the epidemic in 1822. 

This was also where the king’s guard once had their barracks and some think that the spirits of the guards are still lingering. There is also a security guard who supposedly died said to haunt the Capital as well as a construction worker, still working away, even in his afterlife. 

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The Haunted Banyan Trees on Manoa Falls Trail

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On the popular hiking place, Manoa Falls Trail, the haunted legends have accumulated over the years. But how much of the ghostly tales of ancient warriors marching and strange haunting surrounding certain trees are actually true?

In the lush, verdant hills of O’ahu, the Manoa Falls Trail is a popular destination for hikers seeking to experience the natural beauty of Hawaii. The 2.6 km long trail takes you into the green lushness of Hawaii with the spectacular view of the 150 foot Manoa Falls at the end of the trail. 

The trail has been used as a filming location in Jurassic Park, Hunger Games and Lost, but it is also known for being haunted by the spirits of the ancient warriors of Hawaii. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Beneath the canopy of tropical foliage and the sound of cascading water lies a chilling legend that has sent shivers down the spines of many who dare to tread this path. The trail is said to be haunted by the Hukai’po, or Night Marchers—spectral warriors of ancient Hawaiian lore.

Mānoa Falls Trail: The trail leading up to a 150-foot waterfall along the Manoa Falls Trail in Honolulu, Hawaii. Many tourists are attracted to the waterfall and the scenery throughout the trail leading to it. Swimming in the pool below the waterfall is highly discouraged because there is a threat of becoming infected with Leptospirosis.

The Haunted Banyan Tree

A massive banyan tree marks the beginning of the Manoa Falls Trail, said to be the place where the haunting seems to be concentrated. Even before starting the trail a sign says:

“Before entering the forest, we chant a pule pale (prayer of protection) to Laka, asking for her guardianship.”

It is from this Banyan tree, under the sprawling roots and branches, that many have reported encountering the eerie presence of the Night Marchers. The tree itself is a silent sentinel, its gnarled limbs reaching out like the fingers of the past, holding secrets of ancient rites and spectral passages.

Banyan Tree: What is is about Banyan Trees and haunted legends? One popular legend is that you are not supposed to sit under one of these trees at night because ghosts and other supernatural things live there. During the day the tree absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen because of the sun. During night however, it releases the carbon dioxide that lowers the levels of oxygen human needs to breathe. This process can feel suffocating, lead to hallucinations, and in worst case scenarios, even death. Could this be the reason why there are so many stories connected to seeing ghosts, hearing voices and even reaching some sort of enlightenment?

The Legend of the Night Marchers

The Night Marchers, or Hukai’po, are the ghostly processions of ancient Hawaiian warriors. According to legend, these spirits are the guardians of Hawaiian royalty or even gods, and they continue their eternal vigil along sacred paths, including the Manoa Falls Trail. These spectral warriors march in formation, carrying torches, and their presence is heralded by the beating of drums and the blowing of conch shells.

Hikers have shared spine-chilling tales of their encounters with the Night Marchers. It begins with a sense of foreboding, a sudden stillness in the air, and the unmistakable sound of distant drums. The rhythmic beating grows louder, accompanied by the mournful wail of conch shells being blown. As the sounds intensify, an ethereal glow can be seen moving through the dense forest—torches carried by the ghostly procession.

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Those who have had the misfortune of witnessing the Night Marchers describe them as spectral figures with no legs, gliding silently along the trail. Their eyes burn with an otherworldly fire, and their faces remain stern and unforgiving. The most unsettling aspect of these encounters is the sense of imminent danger, as if one wrong move could provoke the wrath of these ancient guardians.

Rules of Survival the Hukai’po

According to Hawaiian lore, commoners were not allowed to look directly at the royalty, and the Night Marchers, as their protectors, would enforce this rule with deadly precision. To see the Night Marchers and to be seen by them is to invite certain doom. Therefore, those who hear the approach of these spectral warriors are advised to take immediate action:

Lay Down: If you hear the drums and conch shells, immediately lay flat on the ground.

Close Your Eyes: Do not look at the Night Marchers as they pass.

Remain Silent: Any noise or movement could draw their attention.

By following these steps, it is believed you can avoid the fatal gaze of the Night Marchers and live to tell the tale.

The Truth About the Night Marchers at Manoa Falls Trail

But how true are the claims of the Night Marchers that are said to travel the trail? According to one of the foremost paranormal storytellers and native, Lopaka Kapanui, there seems to be some doubt that this story comes from old legends but rather newer stories from modern times. 

Read More: Check out Huaka’i Pō – The Night Marchers of Hawaii for the full lore

According to him, the Night Marchers that go through the Banyan Tree are made up by a hiker or blogger, and that they march in group procession, never alone. Although today, the Banyan Tree is a stop on many ghost tours. But if it is not the ancient Night Marchers, then who could be haunting the trail?

The Ghosts of Hikers Haunting the Trail

There are not only holy spirits of the ancestral warriors of Hawaii said to traverse through this path. There are also reports about other hikers who fell from the dangerous cliffs along the trail that are said to haunt the place. 

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Although a short path the track can become slippery as you approach the falls and flash floods are also common in the area. Even swimming in the falls is considered dangerous because of the risk of deadly bacteria in the water. 

Thousands of hikers take the trip each year, and each year there will be some that won’t return. 

A Word of Caution

While the Manoa Falls Trail offers breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature, it also carries the weight of history and legend. Those who venture into this beautiful yet haunted area are urged to respect the stories and traditions of the land. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the tales of the Night Marchers serve as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii and the spirits that continue to guard its sacred places.

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So, the next time you find yourself on the Manoa Falls Trail, remember the legend of the Night Marchers. Listen for the drums, heed the warning of the conch shells, and should you encounter the ghostly procession, lay down, close your eyes, and hold your breath until the ancient warriors have passed.

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References:

Haunted Manoa Falls Trail – Honolulu Ghost Tours 

Manoa Falls Trail – Wikipedia 

What you didn’t know about Manoa Falls Trail, one of Hawaii’s most popular hikes 

The 9 Most Haunted Places on O‘ahu

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The Lady in Waiting: A Haunting at Honolulu Airport

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As the planes takes off and lands at Honolulu Airport, the ghost of a woman is said to linger. Haunting the terminal, it is said she was left by her husband.

The Daniel K. Inouye Airport in Honolulu is a bustling hub, filled with the excitement and anticipation of travelers from all over the world. Honolulu Airport is especially busy for the romantic travelers and in 2021 for example more than a quarter of a million people traveled to Hawaii, either to get married or go on their honeymoon. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

But as the last flight of the night departs and the Honolulu Airport quiets down, a different kind of presence makes itself known—the Lady in Waiting said to haunt the airport after her lover abandoned her.

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The Legend of the Ghost who got Ghosted

The Lady in Waiting is a spectral figure, haunting the Honolulu Airport’s gates and terminals. Descriptions of her are eerily consistent: a blonde woman in a flowing white dress. Most often, she is seen standing at the gate, peering out at the runway as if waiting for someone. 

Read Also: Check out Los Rodeos Airport Ghost Passengers and The Spooky Rajeev Gandhi International Airport for more haunted airports.

Sightings of the Lady in Waiting are not limited to fleeting glimpses. She often appears as if lost, wandering through the terminal or standing by the windows, staring out onto the tarmac or other restricted areas. When approached, she simply fades away, leaving behind an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

Terminal 2 E Gates in the airport. Source

The story goes that she was once a beautiful young woman who either lived in Hawaii or at least stayed there. She is a ghost that remains nameless and timeless. According to the stories told, she fell deeply in love with a man who promised to marry her. They planned to start their life together, but he suddenly vanished without a trace after he got on an international flight and left her. 

Heartbroken and unable to cope with the loss, she took her own life. Despite her tragic end, her spirit lingers, eternally waiting for her beloved to return, even to this day.

Unsettling Phenomena at the Honolulu Airport

The Lady in Waiting is not the only ghostly presence felt at the Honolulu Airport. Staff and travelers have reported a series of unexplained and unsettling occurrences around the airports. Some say it is the woman in white doing it, but someone claims that this must be a different and much darker entity:

Toilet paper rolls unroll by themselves, and toilet seats slam down with no one around. There are also heard flushing of unoccupied toilets. These events often happen late at night, startling the cleaning crews and the few travelers passing through the deserted corridors.

Hawaiian cultural garden at the Airport. Source

Some people have reported feeling a heavy weight pressing down on their chest while they are having a quick nap in the airport, as if someone or something is sitting on them, causing a choking sensation. This terrifying experience often leaves the victims gasping for breath and too afraid to return to sleep.

Even more disturbing are the reports from the airport shuttle drivers. Late at night, some have glanced in their rearview mirrors of the Wiki-Wiki shuttles to find an extra passenger in the back seat—a ghostly figure that vanishes upon second glance. These sightings are often accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature, a chill that cuts through the tropical warmth of Honolulu.

The Waiting Continues for the Ghost

The Lady in Waiting remains a mysterious and tragic figure at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport. Her presence serves as a haunting reminder of unfulfilled promises and unending grief. While many travelers come and go at Honolulu Airport, the Lady in Waiting stays, her ghostly vigil continuing night after night, year after year.

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References:

 Inside America’s most haunted airport where a ‘ghost’ chokes sleeping passengers and another unravels toilet paper | The US Sun 

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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. 

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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 Haunting of ʻIolani Palace: Echoes of Royal Spirits

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The last royal palace of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is believed to be haunted by its former royalty, still dreaming of an independent Hawaii. 

On Oʻahu in Hawaii, ʻIolani Palace stands as the last palace of the Hawaiian kingdom, its rich history and cultural heritage of Hawaii in downtown Honolulu. As the only royal palace in the United States, it is not just a symbol of the Hawaiian monarchy but also a reputedly haunted site, where the spirits of Queen Liliʻuokalani and other Native Hawaiian royalty are said to linger.

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The History of ʻIolani Palace

Built in 1844, ʻIolani Palace or the Hale Aliʻi ʻIolani, was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs, King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani. 

The ʻIolani Palace was originally built for Victoria Kamamalu, a princess. Kamehameha III bought the place and used it as his royal residence after moving to the capital. Much of the palace we see today was built in a European way in order to make them see their Kingdom and their palace as a valid one. 

The palace witnessed both grandeur and tragedy, from lavish royal balls to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy on January 17th in 1893 by the USA, throwing Hawaii into five years of rebellions, guerrilla warfare and assassinations. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Queen Liliʻuokalani herself was imprisoned within its walls after the coup for nine months, a period marked by deep sorrow and resilience as the people behind the coup wanted to turn them into their figurehead .

The building was used as a capitol building for the provisional Government after the coup, as well as when it was a territory and state of USA until 1969. After this it was restored and opened as a museum in 1978. 

Burial Site of the Royals

The ʻIolani Palace was built close to an old funeral site known as Pohukaina Tomb said to have a great chief resting in it. This has made the belief of the land being blessed and protected by his spirit, so it was a perfect place to build a royal palace. It is also said to be built on land once a heiau Ka‘ahaimauli, a holy temple.

Read More: Check out more ghost stories from haunted cemeteries

Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu were buried here after dying of measles, and ever since it was used as a royal burial ground and for the ruling class known as ali’i. Although, in recent times, 18 coffins were removed and moved to the Royal Mausoleum in Nu’uanu Valley. Still, there are still warning signs on the fenced in area telling people to stay away from the sacred ground. 

The Royal Burial Ground: In 1825, a Royal Mausoleum, Pohukaina Tomb, of white-washed coral block was constructed to house the remains of Kamehameha II and his consort, Queen Kamamalu. Both had died of measles while on a journey to England the year before. For the next forty years, this royal tomb and the land immediately surrounding it became the final resting place for the kings of Hawai‘i, their consorts, and important chiefs of the kingdom. In 1865, eighteen coffins were removed from this site and transferred in a torchlight procession at night to a new Royal Mausoleum in Nu`uanu Valley. // Source: Flickr: Royal Mausoleum/Cliff

Queen Liliʻuokalani Haunting the ʻIolani Palace

One of the most chilling encounters involves the sighting of a regal figure believed to be Queen Liliʻuokalani herself. Every morning at 5:30 she is seen walking over the grounds in her black dress and in the window of her bedroom on the second floor where she was imprisoned. The ghost of Queen Liliʻuokalani is seen most frequently in the palace’s Throne Room and the Queen’s Imprisonment Room, her apparition is described as a solemn presence, her face etched with a mix of sorrow and strength. 

Queen Liliʻuokalani: Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha (1838 – 1917) was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. The composer of “Aloha ʻOe” and numerous other works, she wrote her autobiography Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen (1898) during her imprisonment following the overthrow.

Queen Liliʻuokalani never accepted the demands posed to her and she decided to abdicate instead. The rest of her life she lived as a private citizen and died in 1917 in Honolulu in her home known as Washington Place.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from haunted palaces and castles

Today, visitors and staff of ʻIolani Palace frequently report eerie experiences that suggest the presence of lingering spirits. One of the most common phenomena is the sound of ghostly piano music echoing through the grand halls. When checking the security camera though, there is no one pressing the keys at all.

Haunted Piano: This piano is said to play when no one is there but ghosts. // Source: Flickr

The piano is put in the ʻIolani Palace room known as the Blue Room. The piano is secured by bolted glass and the security guards on duty are said to not have access to the key. Even with all this protection, the guards and curators working there are still said to hear the piano songs.

The Blue Room: Said to be one of the centers of the haunting, the blue room in ‘ʻIolani Palace is said to be haunted by Queen Liliʻuokalani. // Source: Howcheng /Wikimedia

This music, often attributed to Queen Liliʻuokalani, who was an accomplished composer and musician, seems to play without any discernible source, sending chills down the spines of those who hear it as a sense of sadness. 

In her old bedroom an alarm goes off once a month even though no one has been there. In the hallways visitors keep complaining about the smell of cigarettes, when no one smokes, something the Queen loved. 

Ghost of King Kalākaua and his Queen Kapi‘olani

The last royal couple living in the ʻIolani Palace until their reign was over, is also said to haunt it. They were said to love the island’s traditional music, and if we are to believe in the rumors, they still do, even in death. 

King and Queen: Kalākaua (David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Māhinulani Nālaʻiaʻehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua (1836 – 1891), was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, from February 12, 1874, until his death in 1891. He was married to Kapiʻolani (1834 – 1899) queen and consort of Mōʻī (king) Kalākaua. When he died she became known as the Dowager Queen Kapiʻolani.

Blood relatives of the royal family, even distant ones, are said to hear loud chanting and music coming from their old bedroom upstairs. Although non-locals, strangers and tourists, hear nothing.

Other Ghosts Said to Haunt the ʻIolani Palace

According to the guards, the best time to catch sight of a ghost is around 5:30 am for some reason. Lights in the ʻIolani Palace are also known to flicker mysteriously, despite there being no electrical issues. Lights and torches wandering around appear in the window. This erratic behavior of the lights adds to the unsettling atmosphere, as if the spirits of the past are still making their presence known in the only way they can. 

There is also the issue with the burial places, with the burial site being filled up by the nobles and in the end, both chiefs and servants were buried in unmarked graves around the place, making the location filled with souls.

Haunted Basement: Source: Flickr

The basement of ʻIolani Palace is particularly rife with paranormal activity. Shadows flit about the corridors, and faint whispers can be heard, as if the walls themselves are trying to speak of the injustices and heartache witnessed within. Staff members feel uneasy in the former wine cellar and kitchen. 

The Banyan Trees in the Courtyard

When the palace opened in the 1880s, Queen Kapi‘olani planted two banyan trees on the grounds. They later grew into a whole group of trees, rumored to be haunted, holding spirits of the dead. 

Read also: Cristalina’s Haunted Banyan Tree in Saligao Village. This article goes a little more into depth about why Banyan trees are often considered to be haunted. 

There is not necessarily royalty haunting these trees though, but spirits of those who have no families to care for them and it is advised to not touch the trees.

Haunted Banyan Trees: Some of the Banyan Trees near ʻIolani Palace that are said to have a haunted energy surrounding them. // Loren Javier/Flickr

The Royal Haunting of ʻIolani Palace

As a historic site and a living museum, ʻIolani Palace continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, drawn not only by its architectural splendor and historical significance but also by its haunting reputation. For many, the chance to possibly glimpse the spirits of Hawaii’s past monarchs adds an irresistible allure to their visit, listening to the enchanting notes from the locked up piano, to the traditional Hawaiian music seeping in from the walls.

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References:

The Ghosts of Iolani Palace – Honolulu Ghost Tours

Friday Night Frights: The Ghosts Who Haunt Hawai‘i’s Historic ‘Iolani Palace

 NO.364 ‘Iolani Palace – Ghost Poppy 

https://paranormal-corner.blogspot.com/2011/12/iolani-palace-in-honolulu-hawaii-palace.html

ʻIolani Palace – Wikipedia 

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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 

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The Haunted Nuʻuanu Pali Drive and Highway and Morgan’s Corner

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Some of the most haunted places in Hawaii you will find when driving. Roads like Nuʻuanu Pali Drive and Highway, as well as Morgan’s corner are said to be haunted by ancient Hawaiian warriors, murdered girls and other urban legends.

Connecting to the Route 61, Pali Highway you will find Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, nestled in the lush greenery of Honolulu, Oʻahu. The area is renowned for its breathtaking views from the Pali Lookout of the verdant forests and sparkling beaches below. The gods were believed to once live on the mountain the roads are winding around. But beyond its natural beauty, this historic road harbors some of Hawaii’s most chilling ghost stories along the entire way.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories on haunted roads

The eerie tales of Nuʻuanu Pali Highway are rooted in its tumultuous and at times, bloody past. The passage the road goes through, historically a critical connection between the two sides of the Koʻolau mountain range, has seen human habitation and conflict for centuries. Its most infamous event occurred in 1795 during the Battle of Nuʻuanu, where King Kamehameha I’s forces drove around 400 of enemy warriors over the cliffs to their deaths. 

Read also: Shadows of Kapiolani Park: Ghosts found in the Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park for more about the battle of Nu’uanu and the haunting it created.

The bones of these warriors were discovered by construction workers in the 1890s, adding a layer of haunting.

The Girl with the Skipping Rope

There are many legends connected to these parts, some older, some newer. One of the urban legends circulating from more modern times is the legend about the ghostly girl with the skipping rope. Her given name is mostly Janette Lum, a 15 year old girl that in the early 50s was strangled and sexually assaulted by a friend. He had used her favorite skipping rope and after realizing she was dead, had dumped her in the bushes along the Old Pali Road, now a hiking trail.

People have reported about seeing a young girl with a skipping rope along the area where she was murdered. Her face rotting away, her eyes bulging out like they had in her last moments. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from USA

Although the names given to the urban legend are fiction, there have been similar cases not too far from this place that many believe the urban legend comes from. Dawn “Dede” Bustamante was raped and killed in 1975 and left on a deserted road behind the Pali Golf Course when she was 13 years old.

The abandoned car of 19 year old Lisa Au was found on the road in 1982, and her dead body was found on Tantalus drive, left for many days and the case has never been solved. 

The Tragic Tale of Cassie

Among the many spirits said to haunt Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, connecting to the highway right by the Pali Lookout, the most poignant is that of a teenage girl, mostly named Cassie. It is also said she was a girl living at the Morgan’s residence, by the sharp curve known as Morgan’s Corner. 

Another variation of the legend has it that Cassie, heartbroken after her boyfriend cheated on her with a cheerleader in their class, took her own life by hanging herself from a tree along the road. Her body hung there for days until it was discovered by none other than her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Some variations say that her head was severed from her body because of the rope.

The sight of Cassie’s severed head outside their car window, grinning in death, remains one of the most terrifying encounters reported in the area.

Cassie’s spirit is said to roam the drive, her head dragging behind her by the spinal cord, especially targeting couples parked along the road. Many believe she seeks revenge for her untimely demise and heartbreak.

The Murder at Morgan’s Corner

Did she exist in real life? The ghost story teller, Lopaka Kapanui claims that it is just an urban legend and there haven’t been any actual murder connected to the legend, although many ghostly legends have sprung from this place.

Although not much is known about a young girl dying or being murdered, there is the story about Therese Wilder. She lived there in 1948 when two men broke into her house on 3939 Nu‘uanu Pali Rd and murdered her. 

The men were escaped prisoners and initially broke into her house, gagged her and left her unconscious on her bed. She died of suffocation as they had broken her jaw in the struggle.  

As for other murders, a reporter for the Honolulu Magazine did a digging into it, and found no other murders but the Wilder case.

Guardians and Gods of the Pali Valley

The area is also believed to be protected by ancient guardian goddesses, embodied in two large boulders off the road in the Pali Valley who were akua wāhine, the goddesses Hāpuʻu and Kalaʻihauola. Local families historically left offerings to these deities for safe travels and blessings for their newborns. Women would also bury the umbilical cord of their newborns to protect themselves from evil spirits. 

These practices reflect the deep spiritual significance of Nuʻuanu Pali to the Native Hawaiian community, and even if they tore the stones down when the Wilson Tunnel was built, it is still said that they are still protecting people, especially those coming to close to the cliffs, trying to lure people off them. 

Police detailing a paranormal experience she claimed happened to her partner 

Madame Pele Haunting the Pali Highway

Driving down the Pali Highway, people are warned to not bring pork on the road. 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 Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes from Hawaiian mythology 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.

Madam Pele: In Hawaiian religion and mythology, Pele is the goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Called “Madame Pele” or “Tūtū Pele” she is a well known figure and thought to haunt more than one place in Hawaii. // Image: Pele by David Howard Hitchcock, c. 1929, previously displayed in the Kilauea Visitor Center of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Ever since, there have been stories about bus drivers with engine trouble, knowing there was someone with pork onboard. There have also been dares of people trying, only to get a physical reaction when starting to traverse the path. 

The Moʻo Wahine

The moʻo wahine, a shape-shifting lizard spirit, adds another layer of fear to Nuʻuanu Pali Drive. Travelers recount encounters with a beautiful woman who transforms into a monstrous lizard, luring the unsuspecting to their doom. One man’s near-fatal encounter with this creature serves as a stark warning to those who venture into these haunted parts at night.

Pali Lookout: View from Nu’uanu Pali Lookout along the haunted highway.

Modern-Day Hauntings

Even today, the drive is a hotspot for paranormal activity. The sound of phantom footsteps, sudden chills, and the appearance of ghostly figures dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire are commonly reported. Visitors often feel an overwhelming sense of being watched, and many claim to have seen apparitions of ancient warriors and forlorn spirits.

For those daring enough to explore Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, it offers not only stunning vistas but also a brush with the supernatural. Whether it’s the tragic ghost of Cassie, the protective spirits of ancient goddesses, or the vengeful power of Pele, the haunted history of this scenic route ensures an unforgettable—and potentially chilling—experience.

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References:

Legends of the Pali 

Haunted Nu’uanu Pali Drive 

Legends of the Pali 

Pork and Pali are Recipes for Disaster 

Nu’uanu Pali Drive, Oahu | To-Hawaii.com 

http://www.weirdus.com/states/hawaii/stories/old_pali_road/index.php 

The Real Story Behind Honolulu’s Haunted Morgan’s Corner

Dawn “Dede” Bustamante 

Lisa Au murder in Oahu, Hawaii still haunts Honolulu Police Department 

Ghosts Next Door: URBAN LEGENDS OF ‘O’AHU 

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

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It is said that dark shadows are haunting the Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaii. People think that dramatic events of bloody battles, deadly plagues and possible human sacrifices might be the cause of the haunting.  

Kapiolani Park or the Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park, in Honolulu on the O’ahu island in Hawaii, is a serene and picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of the city at the east end of the popular Waikiki. It is also the largest and one of the oldest public parks in Hawaii, although the haunted rumors behind it started long before. 

Established in 1877 by King Kalakaua, it was named after his beloved wife, Queen Kapiolani. The park was first envisioned as a place for horse racing before becoming a park and was also used by the Cricket club for years. 

Read More: check out all ghost stories from the USA

However, beneath its tranquil surface, Kapiolani Park holds a darker, more sinister history that few are willing to acknowledge. The Kapiolani Park is said to be haunted by ghostly shadows, moving in silence after dark. But what event made this place become haunted by an army of shadow-ghosts?

Kapiolani Park: The Kapiolani Park right by the beach are believed to be haunted by strange figures and ghostly shadows. // Source: skyseeker/Flickr

Ghosts from the Battle of Nu’uanu

Some of the legends about the Kapiolani Park is that it was one of the places where the Battle of Nu’uanu played out. 

The Battle of Nuʻuanu, fought in May 1795, was a pivotal conflict in Hawaiian history that marked the culmination of King Kamehameha I’s campaign to unify the Hawaiian Islands. On his way to O’ahu to unify the islands after it was weakened after the civil war after the death of Kahekili II, King Kamehameha set sail and his forces landed on the southeastern part of the island, close to Waiʻalae and Waikiki, and the possible the site of what would become the Kapiolani Park.

The Battle of Nu’uanu: Painting from Herbert K. Kane

This decisive battle took place primarily in the Nuʻuanu Valley around 30 minutes by car further in on the island. Kamehameha, the ruler of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, led his forces against the army of Kalanikūpule, the chief of Oʻahu.

Kamehameha’s forces, equipped with muskets and cannons obtained from Western traders, launched a relentless assault, driving Kalanikūpule’s warriors up the valley to the steep cliffs of the Nuʻuanu Pali. In a dramatic and brutal finale, many of Kalanikūpule’s men were forced over the edge of the cliffs to their deaths. The victory at Nuʻuanu secured Kamehameha’s control over Oʻahu, significantly advancing his efforts to unite the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. This battle is remembered not only for its strategic importance but also for its profound impact on the political and cultural landscape of Hawaii.

After this, it is said that the island was littered with the dead bodies of the warriors, decaying into bones, many found decades and even centuries later. 

Kapiolani Park Dark Past of Plague and Human Sacrifices

Not only is the location of Kapiolani Park thought to be an ancient battlefield, but there are also rumors about the Kapiolani Park is that it used to be a place of human sacrifices. An ancient Hawaiian heiau is found here, so it was certainly used as a gathering place. But how true are the rumors about the human sacrifices though, and could it have a connection to the many rumors of the haunting said to go on in the park?

The Sacred Heiau Temples: A heiau is a Hawaiian temple with different architectural styles depending upon their purpose and location, they could be simple earth terraces or elaborately constructed stone platforms. Only the luakini was dedicated to human sacrifice. Here is a drawing of a heiau at Waimea, Kauai, originally made by John Webber, who was with James Cook’s expedition. It shows the appearance of a heiau before the coming of Western influences.

There are also stories that this place is haunted by plague victims. This legend also goes back to Kamehameha again and his quest to unify the Hawaiian Islands. In 1804 right before he was attacking Kaua’i, plague broke out, killing many of his chiefs and warriors. It is said during this time, hundreds of bodies were sent to sea from the beaches of Waikiki close to the park, now believed to haunt the place. 

Hawaiian Night Marchers Haunting the Park

Long before the park’s establishment, the area was a sacred burial ground for ancient Hawaiian warriors. These resting places, known as “pu’uhonua,” were believed to be imbued with the mana (spiritual energy) of the deceased. Disturbing these sites was said to awaken the spirits, unleashing their wrath upon the living. Despite the warnings and the area’s historical significance, the land was cleared to create the park, and the bones of many warriors were unceremoniously displaced.

Read More: Check out more about the Hawaiian Night Marchers

Have a look from the Hawaiian ghost story teller talk about how the park is said to be haunted:

Over the years, there have been countless reports of strange occurrences and ghostly apparitions in Kapiolani Park. Visitors often speak of feeling an inexplicable chill in the air, even on the warmest Hawaiian nights. Some claim to have heard the faint sound of ancient battle cries carried on the wind, while others have seen shadowy figures moving silently among the trees.

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ABC Stores – Kapiolani Regional Park The land that… | Facebook 

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The Haunted Hawai’i Theater: A Century of Ghostly Tales

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On stage in the dark, it is said that the ghost of a Hula dancer is dancing away at the haunted Hawai’i Theater, once called the Pride of the Pacific. But what truly lurks in the shadows behind the stage? 

The Hawaii Theater, an iconic cultural landmark in Honolulu since its opening in 1922, has captivated audiences with its grandeur and rich history. Once upon a time it was even called the pride of the Pacific because of its style and decor. However, beyond its dazzling performances and architectural beauty lies a spine-chilling legacy of ghostly encounters and eerie phenomena.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

After shutting down in 1984 it went through some stages of abandonment before it was renovated and reopened in 1996. According to some of the rumors, it seems like the renovation acted like a trigger for the paranormal activity inside and brought it to life. 

Hawai’i Theater: The Hawaii Theatre, at 1130 Bethel Street, was built in 1922 by Consolidated Amusements of Honolulu. // Source: Wally Gobetz/Flickr

The History of the Haunted Hawai’i Theater

The origins of the Hawaii Theater’s hauntings are shrouded in mystery, with many attributing the spectral activities to the discovery of bones beneath the theater during its early years. These remains, believed to be from a time long before the theater’s construction, are thought to have stirred restless spirits, forever linking them to the site.

Patrons and staff alike have reported a wide array of paranormal experiences, from fleeting glimpses of apparitions in the audience to the eerie sensation of being watched in the empty corridors.

Hula Dancing Ghost: One of the ghosts known to haunt the Hawai’i Theater, is said to be the ghost of a hula dancer.

One of the most famous legends involves the ghost of a woman seen roaming the balconies. Described as wearing attire from a bygone era, she is often spotted gazing longingly at the stage, perhaps reminiscing about performances she once attended or participated in. Her presence, while not malevolent, sends shivers down the spines of those who encounter her.

There is said to be the ghost of a man who is said to haunt the theater’s green room. According to some his portrait still hangs in the room and he was a long time donor to the theater. 

Another man said to haunt the Hawai’i Theater is the ghost of a Chinese man who were said to have been murdered in the building in its early days. Who he was exactly is unknown, but it is said he was some sort of janitor, or perhaps a gambler left to die alone in the building.  He is the one to blame apparently when the door keep opening and closing without anyone entering, the lights flickering or even the lights flickering in the ceiling. 

The Hula Dancer Haunting the Stage

Another story tells about the Hula dancer who took to the stage one night many years ago. This was said to have been the last time anyone saw her alive, although not the last time she visited the Hawai’i Theater. 

A rumor was that if you were at the theater on a particular night you would be able to see her ghost, still on the stage, dancing to a song called Ei Nei. 

Hawai’i Theater: The song is thought to be playing as the ghost of the hula dancer is dancing alone to it on stage.

Other reports include the unsettling sound of footsteps echoing through the halls long after the Hawai’i Theater has closed for the night. These footsteps are often accompanied by inexplicable cold spots, sudden drops in temperature that defy explanation. Some staff members have also recounted the unnerving experience of objects moving on their own, lights flickering, and doors creaking open without a breeze in sight.

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References:

The Theatre – Hawaii Theatre Center 

Hawaii Theatre’s haunted history takes centerstage in upcoming ‘Chicken Skin’ show