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Hawaii is famous for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture. But did you know it’s also home to some of the most haunted spots on the planet? From spectral sightings to strange happenings, these 10 locations are guaranteed to send chills down your spine. Whether you're a fan of history, adventure, or simply seeking something unusual, these haunted places offer a fascinating peek into Hawaii's past. From ancient royal palaces to contemporary hotels, these 10 destinations will guide you through the haunted history of the islands.
10. The Queen Emma Summer Palace
The Queen Emma Summer Palace, also known as Hanaiakamalama, is a stunning historic building in Honolulu, Hawaii. However, it’s also rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Queen Emma, the wife of King Kamehameha IV. Visitors have reported unusual events, like doors opening and closing by themselves and the sensation of someone touching their shoulders.
Some even claim to have seen the ghostly figure of Queen Emma wandering the halls. For some, the notion of a haunted palace only enhances its historical charm. It adds an intriguing layer to their experience. Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or not, the Queen Emma Summer Palace is undoubtedly worth a visit.
9. The Moana Surfrider Hotel
The Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii, is a luxurious and historic destination that has been hosting guests for over a century. However, it also carries a dark history, as it was the site of the mysterious and tragic death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University. On February 29, 1905, Jane Stanford died from strychnine poisoning in her hotel room. Her death became one of the most infamous unsolved murder mysteries in America.
The primary suspect in the case was Stanford University President David Starr Jordan, who had a troubled relationship with Stanford. The mystery deepened when the maid initially suspected of the crime was dismissed, and no clear evidence emerged to point to a motive or the perpetrator. It’s said that Jane Stanford’s ghost still haunts the hotel, with guests and staff claiming to see her roaming the halls at night, searching for her room. While the Moana Surfrider Hotel is a luxurious historical gem, it’s also home to a chilling past that adds an eerie charm to its appeal.
8. Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace is rich in history and legend. It was the site of a rebellion that many historians describe as 'a blueprint for stealing a kingdom.' Situated on an ancient burial mound, the palace stands as a testament to Honolulu’s historical significance, filled with tales of gods, urban legends, and supernatural occurrences. When it comes to haunted places, this palace makes even Hogwarts seem tame.
It’s said that the ghost of the last queen, Liliuokalani, still roams the palace, making her the primary specter that ghost hunters may encounter there. Both palace staff and visitors have reported eerie incidents within its halls.
One of the most unsettling occurrences happens in the palace’s blue room, where a piano is locked in a glass case. Despite the guards not having the key to the case, curators and security personnel sometimes hear the piano playing, with random notes being struck. Even more bizarre, the doors to the queen’s bedroom are securely locked every night, but once a month, the alarm for the room goes off. When guards investigate, the door is found slightly ajar, with no one inside.
Visitors have also reported a strong scent of cigars lingering in the air, which is believed to be connected to the queen’s personal fondness for them. At night, lights mysteriously appear in windows, and a ghostly figure in a vintage black dress has been seen multiple times roaming the palace and its grounds. The palace is undoubtedly a historical treasure, but it also seems to be a place where the past and present blur, creating an eerie and captivating atmosphere.
7. The Koloa Tree Tunnel
The Koloa Tunnel, located on Maluhia Road, is a scenic stretch lined with century-old eucalyptus trees that exude a fragrant aroma. Many travelers believe the Tree Tunnel is haunted, with ghostly apparitions reported to linger among the trees. Some even suggest that the trees are cursed, making the tunnel a hotspot for strange and supernatural occurrences.
One night, four brothers were driving through the Koloa Tunnel when their car abruptly stopped. They noticed a light in the distance and anticipated a car would soon crest the hill, but the light disappeared. The car mysteriously started up again, leaving the brothers bewildered and shaken by the strange occurrence.
Some speculate the light was the goddess Pele, others believe it could have been the night marchers, with an unseen force halting the car to avoid a ghostly procession. The Koloa Tunnel is a place where the boundary between the past and present seems to blur, offering a truly chilling experience. This is just one of the many haunting tree tunnels scattered across the islands.
6. Menehune Fishpond
Niumalu, a small town on Kauai, is home to a mysterious pond said to be haunted by the Menehune, a legendary group of Hawaiian people known for their exceptional engineering skills. According to local legend, the Menehune built the pond, transporting rocks from the plains of Wahiawa, near Hanapepe, by passing them hand-over-hand.
Two young brothers decided to test their paintball guns at a lookout near the pond. However, their fun took a terrifying turn. As they fired their paintballs at a sign, the seals on both their guns unexpectedly broke. The older brother sat in his car, trying to fix his gun while the younger brother, still outside, attempted to repair his own.
While the younger brother was busy fixing his paintball gun, he suddenly noticed a figure in the distance drawing closer. It was a Hawaiian woman dressed in white with long, flowing black hair. She didn’t seem to slow down as she approached their car, causing the younger brother to panic. He desperately started tapping his older brother’s arm to get his attention, but the older brother remained focused on his task, unaware of what was happening.
The woman kept moving closer to the car, her eerie presence intensifying. Now the younger brother was screaming in fear, and the older brother finally looked up to see the ghostly figure standing right in front of them.
The identity of the female spirit remains unknown, but since that encounter, many others have reported seeing her as well.
5. Māhā‘ulepū
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of town, Māhā‘ulepū is a historically significant site in Hawaii, famous for its haunted beach and its ecological, geographical, and historical discoveries. According to Smithsonian Magazine, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were heated debates surrounding various ideas about the human body.
For years, scientists searched for evidence in human remains to bolster the notion that racial characteristics could be measured and ranked on a universal scale of humanity. Medical doctors, anthropologists, and other scholars came to believe that certain behavioral traits, such as intelligence and work ethic, could be directly linked to physical features like the size and shape of the skull.
It is said that Valdemar Knudsen once tried to send a box containing Hawaiian skulls and bones to the Smithsonian. His first attempt to collect these remains from burial sites at Mānā was thwarted by the Hawaiians, who fiercely protected the ancestral remains. The Hawaiians then suggested he take bones from Māhā‘ulepū, claiming that those bones were not their ancestors'.
The bones belonged to fallen warriors, and the Hawaiians showed no attachment to them. As a result, the sands of Māhā‘ulepū are said to be scattered with bones, and the beach itself is believed to be haunted by the spirits of those warriors.
4. Kipu Falls
Kipu Falls is known for being haunted by supernatural entities called Mo’o. These are shapeshifting deities from Hawaiian culture, often referred to as “lizard beings” or “dragons.” Typically female, Mo’o are guardians of families who honor them as ‘aumakua. When they protect a fish pond, they ensure its harvest is bountiful and that its waters remain clear and life-sustaining.
When Mo’o are dishonored or their sacred kapu is violated, it often leads to catastrophe. These powerful beings are closely linked to water and, in some legends, take on the guise of an enchanting woman who entices a man to be her lover or feast, with the tragic outcome of his death.
At Kipu Falls, there are signs that Mo’o are present. These include a strange greenish-yellow tint in the grass near the water’s edge or a leaf that mysteriously sinks beneath the surface. Years ago, a local teenager drowned beneath the waterfall, and over a span of five years, five others perished in the same area. Some claim to feel an unseen force pulling them down as they swim under the falls.
3. The USS Arizona
Despite the name, the USS Arizona is docked at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, it was struck by Japanese forces during the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor. The attack was catastrophic, and the Arizona was bombarded by several bombs, causing a huge explosion that claimed the lives of over 1,100 crew members. The ship sank to the bottom of the harbor, where it remains today, serving as a somber memorial to the brave men who perished.
For one Australian family, their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial turned into a chilling experience. Susan De Vanny and her family claim to have captured an astonishing image of a face beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor, visible in the shimmering oil above the wreck of the USS Arizona.
During their visit to the memorial, De Vanny captured the eerie photograph. When she showed it to her husband, they were stunned to discover the spectral outline of a face in the water. De Vanny noted that the face appeared sorrowful and youthful, adding to the already haunting atmosphere of the memorial.
With over 1,100 sailors perishing on the USS Arizona during the attack, it is easy to believe that the spirits of the fallen may still haunt the waters above the wreck. The photograph serves as a chilling reminder of the tragic events at Pearl Harbor and the young lives lost that day.
2. Morgan’s Corner
Morgan’s Corner is a place shrouded in mystery and fear. In 1948, the quiet community was shattered by a brutal murder. The victim, 68-year-old widow Mrs. Therese Wilder, was savagely attacked in her own home by two escaped convicts. They bound and gagged her, leaving her unconscious on her bed. Despite attempts to help her, Mrs. Wilder tragically suffocated from the injuries inflicted during the assault.
The men responsible were apprehended a few days later, but the horrors at Morgan’s Corner continued to haunt the area. The murder ignited a fierce debate over the use of capital punishment in Hawai’i. To this day, many believe that Mrs. Wilder’s ghost lingers, a tragic reminder of the cruelty that once unfolded there.
1. Old Maui High
In Hawaii, it is believed that the spirits of those who have passed return to the places they once knew in their earthly lives. Old Maui High is no different, with many claiming that the souls of former students and staff still haunt the grounds, occasionally making their presence known to the living.
There are tales of restless ghosts who attack those who trespass on the property, as well as the haunting sound of a girl’s cries emanating from the old school bathroom. Despite its crumbling state, the eerie energy at Old Maui High has made it a hotspot for ghost stories and paranormal events, including the popular Haunted Mayhem held during Halloween.
