Learn The Storied History Behind Hawaii's Beloved Dole Cannery Theater

When one thinks of Hawaii, one often thinks of sunshine, beaches, and rich culture. The Paradise of the Pacific is full of culture and that includes, though you might not initially suspect it, rumors of hauntings. Ghosts in Hawaii? Is this a mere local legend designed to pique the curiosity of tourists, or could there be some truth to the claim? Today we’re going to take a virtual visit to a purportedly haunted site, but we’ll ultimately leave it up to you to decide if this theater in Hawaii is haunted. Check it out:

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Dole is a name that is still recognized to this day. James Dole, "The Pineapple King," settled in Hawaii and started what would become a pineapple plantation in 1899. With its iconic yellow walls, The Dole Cannery fueled another aspect of the profitable business.

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Cannery operations closed in 1991, so many buildings tied with the Dole story have found new life. This 18-theater entertainment complex can fit some 2,702 people at once. Elements of Hawaiian culture are sprinkled into its architecture.

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Heiau can serve different purposes and, historically, they have. Some may help heal the sick, some help to bring success in voyaging. This site was said to be a luakini heiau, or a site where blood sacrifices were offered... both human and animal.

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Could this man have taken his last breath at the luakini heiau, or did he formerly work in the Dole Cannery? Whoever he may be, those that have seen him don't seem to report feeling threatened.

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The voices are heard, in particular, in the bathroom. It should be noted, however, that this author's research on this purported accident was unsuccessful in pinpointing which school bus was involved, which local students were on it, or even during which year this event took place. Could it be that a nearby accident intertwined its identity with this site, or is this story a total fabrication?

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Though some swear that Dole Cannery Theater is haunted, it should be noticed that most don't encounter anything out of the ordinary here. Those that do have encounters, however, will never forget them.

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While there may be Ghosts in Hawaii, it is likely that the legends hanging around this former cannery are just that: legends. While it is entirely possible that the neighborhood is situated on ground once sacred to area residents, and perhaps that the older man in theater fourteen was once a cannery employee… the tales of a school bus crashing in the “1980s” seem too vague and too hard to trace to be true. What are your thoughts on this legend? Have you ever had a haunted encounter here or anywhere else? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Craving more haunted history? Visit other Hawaiian ghosts along our favorite haunted road trip through the Aloha State.