37 floors of ghosts. That is what they say about the Honolulu High Rise building, The Contessa Condominium. Built on top of what some think was a cemetery for the small pox victims, could they be haunting this place?
Across from the Hawaiian Humane Society, The Contessa Condominium in Honolulu is an unsuspecting tower of modern living, but beneath its polished exterior lies a sinister reputation. Some call it the most haunted building in all of Honolulu—a place where restless spirits roam the halls, where shadows lurk in every corner of the 37-story building, and where residents have reported eerie encounters that send shivers down the spine.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
Ghost tours have The Contessa Condominium as a stop and even websites with listings of the apartments for sale or rent mentions the haunting tales around the building and try to divert the attention away from the stories. But many who do are left with tales of unexplained happenings and ghostly apparitions and end up leaving because of it.
Legend of the Apartment Building
But why is The Contessa Condominium haunted? There are many theories floating around, but many claim that the building was built upon an old burial place. It was at least built where the Kamoiliili Church was located with its cemetery until it was demolished in the late 60s.
According to some there were many thousand people, up to perhaps 5000 people who died in the smallpox epidemic back in 1910 buried there. There is also the graveyard right next to it that people claim to see orbs float around. Could this be the reason behind the hauntings?
In fact, according to some, there were 466 bodies they exhumed in September in 1968 and moved to another cemetery. It is said that the bodies were re-buried at the Kawaiahao Church’s cemetery.
This upset many of the body’s relatives who even sued because of it. It was also said that only 206 of the exhumed bodies were even identified. Some say that not all the bones were removed as well and the spirits they belong to are now haunting The Contessa Condominium which was built in 1971.
A few have claimed to see shadowy figures darting in and out of view in their peripheral vision and some people claiming to be very receptive to the supernatural straight up have refused to go inside The Contessa Condominium because of what they see.
Others have heard footsteps trailing them as they walk through the building, only to turn around and find no one there. The elevator reaches the ground floor carrying only ghosts into the lobby. Some even swear they’ve heard disembodied laughter echoing down the stairwells in the dead of night—a chilling sound that starts softly and grows louder before fading away.
Ghostly Residents: The Ghost Dog and the Old Woman
Among the many entities said to haunt The Contessa Condominium, two stand out. First is the Ghost Dog that roams the grounds. Residents and passersby alike have reported seeing a spectral canine darting across the lawn or wandering the perimeter. Often described as a small, dark-colored dog, the apparition seems harmless at first glance—just a stray looking for a home. But those who have seen it up close swear that it is anything but ordinary. The dog appears suddenly and vanishes just as quickly, leaving behind no paw prints or evidence of its presence. Some claim to hear its faint whimpering at night, a mournful sound that echoes through the building’s halls, even when no animals are present.
But the spectral dog is not alone. There is also the ghost of an old woman who lingers at the bus stop in front of the building. She is often seen late at night, sitting quietly as if waiting for a bus that never comes. Witnesses describe her as wearing old-fashioned clothing, with a forlorn look on her face. Some have attempted to speak to her, only for her to vanish into thin air the moment they approach. Bus drivers passing by have reported seeing her too, a solitary figure under the dim glow of the streetlight, only to disappear in a blink. Rumor has it that she is a former resident who died tragically, and now, her spirit waits at the bus stop for eternity.
A History of Tragedy: Suicides
The Contessa Condominium’s dark reputation is further compounded by its history of suicides that are said to have happened more frequent inside of the building than other places.
Over the years it is said that several residents have taken their own lives within the building’s walls, leaving a lingering shadow over the property. Some say the atmosphere in certain units is thick and oppressive, as if the very walls have absorbed the despair of those who came before.
Read More: Check out the story The Haunted Legends of Grand Paradi Towers in Mumbai
This is for now just an anecdotal rumor that goes along with the rest of the ghost stories, and there really aren’t any true numbers we can have a look at.
Living with the Spirits in The Contessa Condominium
Is The Contessa Condominium truly haunted, or is it simply a place where the tragedies of the past have left a deep, lingering mark? For those brave enough to live at The Contessa, the supernatural presence is just part of life.
Some residents have made peace with the ghosts, acknowledging their existence but choosing not to be afraid. Others, however, find it hard to stay for long, citing the building’s unsettling energy and the ever-present feeling of being watched. A few have even broken their leases, convinced that something malevolent lurks within the building’s walls.
Newest Posts
- The Basilisk of Basel: The Beast Beneath Gerberberglein
Once upon a time there used to live a Basilisk in a cave underneath where the Tanner’s Fountain (Gerberberglein) is today. Said to kill with its poisonous breath even, it has become the very symbol of Basel today. - The Bailiff of Brunegg: A Ghostly Hunt Through Swiss Snow and Sin
After taking his regime of terror too far on a stormy winter night, the Bailiff of Brunegg committed a sin so huge on a hunt that would send him into a haunted afterlife. - Free Horror Short Stories Perfect for Christmas and Dark Winter Evenings
Why did we stop telling ghost stories for Christmas? In the olden days, it used to be a tradition to gather around and tell each other ghost stories in Victorian England. Often set in cold and dark castles or somewhere far remote in the cold icy night. Here are some perfect short stories you can read for free, perfect for Christmas time. - Dark Christmas Legends and Traditions from Around the World
How about having a look about the darker things that Christmas has to offer. It’s not all just ugly sweaters and sweet eggnog. Here are some of the Dark Christmas Legends from around the world, bringing the spooky tales and traditions we are missing during yule times. - The Portent of the Shadow by E. Nesbit
The Portent of the Shadow or just The Shadow is set during a Christmas gathering of friends, one guest tells of a terrifying, supernatural encounter involving an otherworldly shadow that leads to madness and death. Classic Edwardian Christmas ghostliness. - The White Lady of Rouelbeau Castle Ruins Appearing for Christmas
In the ruins of the former castle of Rouelbeau in Switzerland, the ghost of a Lady in White is said to appear during Christmas times. As one of the Weiße Frau from Germanic folklore, she is believed to have been the mistress of the castle until she was cast away for not bearing a son. - The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance by M.R James
One of James’s lesser-known but fascinating tales — set at Christmas, it’s presented as a series of letters about a disturbing Punch and Judy show, a mysterious disappearance, and a spectral visitation on Christmas Eve. It first appeared in print in the June 4, 1913 issue of the magazine Cambridge Review. It was published again in 1919 as part of the anthology A Thin Ghost and Others. - The Ghost Soldiers of Rapperswil Ringing the Bell of St. John
In the middle of the night, it was said that the bells of St. John Church in Rapperswil, Switzerland started to toll. When the churchwarden went to investigate, it was said that he saw the headless ghosts of the fallen soldiers from the Battle of Näfels holding midnight mass. - The Night of Christmas Eve by Nikolai Gogol
Set in snowy Ukraine on Christmas Eve, this folkloric tale follows a trickster devil who wreaks havoc in a village while a young man seeks to win his beloved’s heart under supernatural influence. - Ghosts of the Holy Season: The Christmas Hauntings of Bern
Each December, when the nights grow long and the spirit of Christmas fills the air, Bern’s holiday phantoms awaken. These tales from lore and legends, remind us that even amidst celebration, the spirits of bygone eras linger. - Jerry Bundler by W. W. Jacobs
At a cozy inn on Christmas Eve, guests trade spooky stories—until a real, bloodstained intruder named “Jerry Bundler” appears, turning festive warmth into true fright. - The Haunted House of Ludington: A Christmas Ghost Story
All year round, the residents of the House in Ludington, seem to be plagued by the ghost waking them up from their sleep and watching them from the rocking chair. Around Christmas time, the ghost is said to be the one placing the Christmas Angel on the Christmas Tree.
References:
Contessa Condos for Sale in Moiliili, Honolulu
A Glimpse of Hawaii – Jeanne Moore Writes
Kamo‘o‘ili‘ili Hawaiian Church Cemetery in Hawaii
The Eerie Eight: Lopaka Kapanui’s Top Oʻahu Hauntings — Abstract