The Prince Waikiki Hotel in Hawaii is believed to be haunted. Not only does the luggage of its guests seem to move, but a strange blue light is wandering the halls accompanied by voices from beyond. 

Located on Waikiki, Oahu in Hawaii, the Prince Waikiki Hotel appears at first glance to be an unassuming, cozy retreat for travelers seeking the sun, surf, and sand of Hawaii. Waikiki is a popular neighborhood by the beach in Honolulu and there are many high rise hotels on the mostly man made beach.

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But beyond its warm and glittering facade, this hotel is said to be the site of numerous eerie happenings that have left guests and staff alike chilled to the bone. Stories of strange occurrences, ghostly apparitions, and otherworldly sounds have earned the Waikiki Prince Hotel a reputation as one of Oahu’s most haunted locales.

the hawaii prince hotel
Jeff C/Flickr

A Mysterious History of Prince Waikiki Hotel

Built in the mid-20th century when the hotel building in the area took off on Ala Wai harbor, the Prince Waikiki Hotel has stood through decades of change. The hotel is named after Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole who was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii who after being dethroned, went to represent Hawaii in Congress. 

What was once a quiet stretch of beach has evolved into a bustling hub of activity in the 1950s, but the hotel’s history is marked by its own share of mystery. Over the years, it has witnessed a series of unexplained events that many believe are connected to its past. 

Some claim that the land the hotel was built on once belonged to ancient Hawaiian tribes, and that the spirits of those who lived and died here still roam the property. It did use to be the first capital of the united Hawaii and was a place for the royalty to retreat. 

Others suggest that tragic incidents within the hotel walls have left behind restless souls who linger, unable or unwilling to move on.

Strange Lights and Whispers

Guests who stay at the Prince Waikiki Hotel often report seeing strange lights moving throughout the hotel, particularly in the hallways and stairwells. These blue orb looking lights are not the flicker of faulty bulbs or the reflection of passing cars but appear to move with an eerie purpose, sometimes trailing along behind guests or darting quickly around corners. Those who have tried to follow these glowing orbs often find themselves led to deserted parts of the hotel, only to have the lights vanish without a trace or disappear through the walls.

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But it’s not just the mysterious lights that make the Prince Waikiki Hotel a hotbed of paranormal activity. Unexplained whispering voices are frequently heard, echoing through empty corridors or seeming to come from right behind guests when no one is there. These whispers are unintelligible, a faint murmur that sends shivers down the spine. Some guests have reported feeling a cold breath on their necks or a light tap on their shoulders, only to turn around and find themselves completely alone.

Hawaii Prince Hotel
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr

The Case of Moving Luggage

One of the most unsettling phenomena at the Prince Waikiki Hotel involves the inexplicable movement of luggage. Guests have reported leaving their bags neatly packed and positioned in their rooms, only to return and find them shifted across the floor or even rearranged entirely. In some cases, suitcases have been found unzipped with their contents spread across the room, as if a curious invisible hand had rummaged through them.

Some also claim that their luggage has disappeared from the bellhops and rooms and ended up in unexplainable places like in the kitchen or the ballroom. 

The Ghosts of the Prince Waikiki Hotel

But who is it that haunts the hotel today? Could there be some of the guests who passed away? Although, there are not many, if any, noted deaths in the hotel. Even still, people claim to see ghostly tourists of a man in a red and white Hawaiian shirt, hanging by the pool. 

Perhaps it is the prince himself who has returned to the place named after him in his afterlife? Some claim to have seen a stately Hawaiian man with a mustache standing in the lobby, wearing expensive clothes and a hat that looks not of this time. It is also said that guests have encountered a man like this in the elevators, although no one ever saw the man get out of the elevator, even when they have reached the top floor.  

A Haunting Legacy of Prince Waikiki Hotel

Theories abound as to who—or what—haunts the Prince Waikiki Hotel. Some believe that the spirits of former guests, perhaps those who met untimely or tragic ends, remain tethered to the place they last knew. Others think the land itself holds a spiritual energy, disturbed by the construction and modernization of Waikiki. Whatever the cause, the paranormal activity at the hotel shows no sign of slowing.

Those who stay at the Prince Waikiki Hotel are advised to keep an eye on their belongings, to listen carefully to the whispers in the dark, and to be aware of the strange lights that might just be trying to guide them somewhere unknown. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing is certain: a night at this haunted hotel is an experience you won’t soon forget.

So, if you’re feeling brave and looking for a unique thrill, check in to the Prince Waikiki Hotel—just don’t be surprised if you leave with more than just a souvenir or two.

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References:

The Most Haunted Hotels in Hawaii | Haunted Rooms America 

Haunted Waikiki Prince Hotel 

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