With a history steeped in religion, culture, and even civil war, Hawaii is no stranger to crazy urban legends. From legends surrounding the powerful and influential Volcano Goddess to modern myths of wandering spirits, the “aloha” state isn’t all sunshine and happiness.

1. The Goddess of the Volcano
Steve Corey/Flickr
Pele, the Volcano goddess, can be found in many Hawaiian legends. It is said that if you meet a young, beautiful woman in red or an older lady with white hair, you must greet her with aloha and offer her help. If you refuse to help, death or heartbreak will fall upon your family.
2. Don’t Bring Pork Across the Pali Highway
Ron Cogswell
It is said that Pele and the demigod Kamapua’a — a half man, half pig — had a bad breakup and agreed to never see each other again. The legend says that you cannot take pork over the Pali Highway, which separates the Windward side of Oahu from Honolulu, because it means that you are symbolically taking Kamapua’a from one side of the island to the other. If you risk bringing pork across the highway, your car will stop at some point along the journey and an old woman with a dog will appear. To continue on your way, you must feed the pork to the dog.
3. The Menehune
Ann Petersen/Flickr
Menehune are dwarf-like creatures that reside in lush forests, far from civilization. These two-foot tall creatures are portrayed as mysterious but also have excellent craftsmanship, constructing anything they desire. They are credited with building the Menehune Fish Pond on Kauai — in just one night.

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4. The Night Marchers
Fat_albert9631
The Huaka’ipo, also known as the Night Marchers, are the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors who have been cursed to march the islands for eternity. The night marchers are said to march in a single line, often carrying torches and weapons while chanting and playing drums. To protect yourself, you must lie on the ground face down in respect. Otherwise, the Night Marchers will kill you. Or so they say.
5. The Green Lady
Kevin Nelson/Flickr
Described as a woman covered in green mold and moss, "The Green Lady" wanders through the Wahiawa Gulch, and is most often seen near the Wahiawa Botanical Garden on Oahu. Legend states that there was once a woman who visited the gulch with her children, and while there, one of her children was lost, never to be found. The woman supposedly died of heartbreak, and is still trying to find her lost child.
6. Don’t Take The Lava Rocks…
EyeTunes/Flickr
One of the most common modern legends in Hawaii warns against Pele’s curse, which states that anyone who takes rock or sand away from the Hawaiian islands will suffer bad luck until the items are returned. Whether this myth is the result of Pele or merely a disgruntled park worker is unknown but each year, hundreds of visitors send packages full of rocks and sand back to the island to relieve their bad luck.

So, tell us: which of these legends do you believe? Do you know of any other urban legends in Hawaii that still find their way into modern life? Share your knowledge in the comments below, then click here to read more about how the curse of Pele is spooking tourists.

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Legends And Myths Of The Hawaiian Islands

Megan Shute | July 27, 2020

Does Hawaii have any common myths and legends?

Like many indigenous peoples, the ancient Hawaiians felt a deep connection to the aina (land), and used stories of their gods and goddesses to explain everything from lava flows to the creation of the Hawaiian Islands. Click here to read about nine Hawaiian myths and legends that are full of passion, betrayal, love, and death. They're sure to astonish you.

What are the most popular ghost stories in Hawaii?

From haunted hotels and roads where you may encounter the paranormal, there are countless ghosts who have decided to make the islands their permanent residence in their afterlife. And while all of these ghost stories are chilling, perhaps the most terrifying tale is that of Oahu's Kaimuki House. The creature said to haunt the home is a Kasha, a man-eating ghost from Japanese folklore, and the stories surrounding its haunting of the Kaimuki house have been extensively documented.

What is the scariest urban legend found in Hawaii?

The Hawaiian Islands are home to several urban legends, though some legends are a little scarier than others, and there is perhaps no Hawaiian myth more terrifying than that of the Night Marchers. The night marchers are the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors who have been cursed to march the islands for eternity and legend has it that they spend their nights roaming the islands visiting old battlefields and religious sites. As for the least scary, we'd have to go with the legend of the Menehune — a small dwarf-like species, similar to pixies or trolls, that hide deep in Hawaii’s forests and valleys known for being master builders.

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