Posted in Hawaii October 21, 2017 by

There’s A Terrifying Haunted Cave In Hawaii And It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

While the Hawaiian Islands don’t experience fall weather like much of the mainland, we can certainly partake in all things Halloween, from candy corn and pumpkin carving to haunted houses. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good haunted house as much as the next person, but I’m personally partial to real tales of the paranormal, of apparitions and spooky sounds at haunted places. Luckily, Oahu is full of haunted places, and today we’re featuring one of the scariest: Kaneana Cave.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Located on Oahu’s leeward coast north of Waianae, near where Farrington Highway ends at Kaena Point, is Kaneana Cave, a truly mysterious site.
Celina Y./Yelp
The cave sits at the base of a cliff outcropping and is approximately 100 feet tall and 450 feet deep. The cave is thought to be 150,000 years old, and was once underwater, carved out by the crashing waves of the Pacific.
Also known as Makua Cave, there are many legends that feature this cave. One says that it was in this cave that mankind was born from the womb of the earth goddess. That’s actually how this cave got its name: Kaneana translates to Cave of Kane, the god of creation.
Shimown/Flickr
A more sinister story features Kamohoali’i, a shapeshifter who could transform himself from a shark into a man. He and his human wife gave birth to a son, Nanaue. When the son discovered his taste for human flesh — like all man-eating sharks — he disguised himself as a human in order to trick his victims. He would drag his victims into the cave and eat them. In ancient times, the Hawaiian people were forbidden from entering the cave, fearful that they would be attacked and eaten by this shark-man. When residents later found out about Nanaue's true identity, that he was a shark man, they captured and killed him.
Celina Y./Yelp
It is also said that kahuna (priests) often performed rituals within the cave’s inner chambers, and it is believed that the souls of deceased chiefs haunt the cave to this day. There are countless accounts of paranormal sightings and unsettling events taking place in this cave, including the alleged disposal of murder victims during the early 1900s.
Today, the souls of those who died here are said to haunt the area, and according to local storytellers, Kaneana Cave is a repository for psychic energy.
George S./Yelp
Did we mention that many consider the back of the cave to be an opening to hell and that there have been sightings of a creepy creature covered in scabs with glowing red eyes emerging from the lava tubes at the back of the cave? Click here for a reported sighting sure to give you chicken skin.
Danielle Chang/Flickr
The interior of the cave is dark and slippery, so if you plan to check out this mysterious cave, wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. There are various small tunnels that lead from the main cavern have not been explored, mapped, or maintained. For your own safety, please do not enter these

Not sure about your Halloween plans yet? Consider embarking on this haunted road trip across Oahu.