You could spend a lifetime hiking the many trails on Hawaii’s islands, but here’s a hike that might give you more than you bargain for. The Kaniakapupu Ruins are supposedly haunted and carry so much history. And some even say that you may come across paranormal activity at this abandoned mansion in Hawaii.

Editor’s Note: There are currently only two ways to legally enter this sacred place: applying for a permit from the Oʻahu office of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife or volunteering with a caretaking group. Kaniakapūpū is closed to the public and entry without a permit is illegal. You can also tour the ruins virtually here.

The Kaniakapupu Ruins are located off the Pali Highway, near Honolulu.
Tanya J/Tripadvisor
The trailhead is considered kapu, or forbidden to visit since the King once lived here and many feel that it's a sacred place. While some tourist sites offer information about the ruins, many have chosen to remove exact location details to cut down on vandalism and other unwanted activity.

If you do receive a permit for this trail and decide to visit, please be mindful of the sacred nature of this place. Do not litter or vandalize the ruins. Please be respectful of this beautiful area.
The trail to the ruins is short and easy to navigate, though it's quite overgrown with bamboo.
Melissa Hernandez/Alltrails
You could lose your way on the path, so keep your eyes peeled if you find it, and watch where you’re going. The canopy above helps make this one of the most creepy hikes in Hawaii.
Walk the trail quietly, remembering to respect the ancient spirits who may occupy this land.
Melissa Hernandez/Alltrails
As a reported haunted hike in Hawaii, be mindful of the area around you. Practice leave no trace. Take nothing, and leave nothing as you travel through.
After a short distance, you'll come to the ruins.
Melissa Hernandez/Alltrails
This is one of the most haunted places in Hawaii. The ground and air around the ruins are saturated with history.
The Kaniakapupu Ruins are all that's left of King Kamehameha III's summer mansion.
Michael Miller/Google
It's said that the king and his advisors escaped to this mansion during the hot summer months, when the elevation and dense vegetation provided a cooler respite. It’s a stunning, very remote area.
The ruins are truly beautiful, and it's easy to see why this place is so revered.
Melissa Hernandez/Alltrails
The entire area has an otherworldly quality to it.
You'll find a plaque on the grounds, and offerings are sometimes placed here.
Leo Domingo/Google
It goes without saying that you won't disturb or take the flowers or other offerings left for King Kamehameha III. This is a sacred area, reported to be guarded by spirits. Be respectful when you’re visiting.
While this place is definitely beautiful, it's also said to be haunted.
Nicole Merendoni/Alltrails
Visitors often reported feelings of being watched. Some even say that they've been chased back down the trail by spirit warriors who are clearly unhappy about the presence of outsiders. The warriors are known as Night Marchers, and they're supposedly the spirits of Hawaiian warriors who have never crossed to the other side. They walk single-file, beating drums and carrying torches. It's said that the only way to survive an encounter with the Night Marchers is to strip of all your clothing and lie facedown on the ground until they pass. Hopefully you will not have to do this!

Have you ever witnessed anything strange at the Kaniakapupu Ruins? Have you ever visited this abandoned mansion in Hawaii? Tell us about it in the comments!

Hawaii’s abandoned places are so interesting, and many are considered haunted. Here’s an abandoned school that rumored to have paranormal activity.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Abandoned Mansion In Hawaii

Megan McDonald | September 27, 2021

Are there many abandoned ruins in Hawaii?

There are many abandoned ruins in Hawaii. There are dozens of well known ones, but it would be easy to say that there are hundreds more that the rainforest have claimed, that many don’t know about. If you come across abandoned ruins on your explorations of the island, be respectful and leave everything how you found it. You never know what the history of the area may hold, and it’s important to save it for the next generation.

What’s the deadliest animal in Hawaii?

Hawaii is home to a number of deadly animals, including centipedes, coral snake reefs, ocean animals like the Great White and the Tiger shark, and more. But the deadliest animal in Hawaii is without a doubt the box jellyfish. These jellyfish can kill a grown man within minutes of being stung. One study cites tens of deaths each and every year from these otherwise unassuming animals. Their tentacles contain barbs that deliver poisonous venom right into your blood system, and can cause cardiac arrest. Get medical attention right away if you are stung by the box jellyfish.

Related Articles

Explore Hawaii

Featured Addresses
Honolulu, HI, USA