The seasons are finally changing, and 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, from hotels and highways to parks and universities. And here at Only In Hawaii, we’ve gone ahead and crafted the perfect road trip across Oahu, stopping at ten of the island’s most famous haunts. The entire trip clocks in at just under 50 miles and two hours of drive time, perfect for an evening of ghost hunting. And while we chose to journey from Kapolei to Honolulu, you can certainly reverse this trip and do it in the opposite direction if you live in town. Who's ready to experience the most haunted places in Hawaii?
Are you brave enough to explore these scary places in Hawaii? You're almost guaranteed to experience something paranormal along the way.
1. Ihilani Resort
Before the Ihilani Resort closed and reopened as the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, the hotel’s seventeenth floor was allegedly haunted by a guest who got sick on her vacation and suddenly died at the hotel. Guests have stated that their sliding glass doors have opened and closed on their own, and that an apparition of a woman may appear to watch over guests as they sleep. Address: 92-1001 Olani Street, Kapolei, HI, 96707.
2. Hawaii's Plantation Village
This outdoor history museum tells the story of the island’s sugar cane workers and life on the plantation circa 1850 to 1950, as well as the history of immigration to Hawaii. The village features restored buildings, replicas of various plantation structures, and a few ghosts as well. Of the village’s 25 plantation houses, approximately half of them are haunted. Every fall, the museum is transformed into a haunted house, though due to ghostly encounters and supernatural activities, actors are not allowed to work in the houses by themselves. Address: 94-695 Waipahu Street, Waipahu, HI, 96797.
3. Pearl Harbor
Little explanation is needed as to why this Naval base might be haunted, as thousands gave the ultimate sacrifice nearly 75 years ago in perhaps the most devastating attack on the United States. Located at the center of the harbor, many have reported strange sightings and mysterious footsteps on Ford Island. Address: Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI, 96818.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to explore much unless you have base access, or visit the USS Missouri as a guest.
4. H-1 Highway
Said to be one of the most haunted places on Oahu, during construction on the major highway workers claimed to see the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors. While digging through the mountain, bones of ancient Hawaiians were found. It took seven years to build the freeway because they couldn’t find people to work.
5. Hamilton Library
Students and custodians alike claim they have seen apparitions and heard strange noises wandering through the library’s aisles and in the bathrooms. The most detailed report comes from a janitor who saw a young woman in a pink muumuu lurking around the first floor. Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822.
6. Chaminade University
Often considered to be one of the most haunted schools on the island, this Honolulu campus was once home to a children’s hospital that lived through World War II. Room 319 was once used as a soldiers’ morgue, and there have been reports of ghosts inside. In Room 208, you can see the faint outline of a crucifix on the wall, even though it’s been decades since it hung there. Address: 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI, 96816.
7. 16th Avenue Bridge in Kaimuki
Of all the Hawaii hauntings, this one is the most somber. A young girl was killed in a hit-and-run on this very bridge several years ago. Residents claim that the little girl asks pedestrians for help home, just to disappear at the end of the bridge.
8. Kapiolani Park
Hundreds of years ago, this park was witness to some pretty gruesome battles, as well as human sacrifice, and as a result, reports of unusual sights, smells and sounds are so common that the Honolulu Police Department has actually gotten used to distressed calls from travelers. Address: 3840 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, HI, 96815.
9. Waikiki Prince Hotel
You probably wouldn't expect to hear Hawaii ghost stories inside this gorgeous hotel. However, guests have reportedly seen strange lights moving around the hotel building and heard whispering voices. There have also been reports of luggage being moved around. Address: 2431 Prince Edward Street, Honolulu, HI, 96815.
10. Corner of Merchant and Alakea
In downtown Honolulu, on the corner of Merchant and Alakea streets sits Kaua’nona’ula – meaning rain with the red rainbow – which allegedly serves as a gathering spot for Wailua (ghosts). An electrical worker in a building across the street claims to have heard a scream while working late one night. Address: Merchant Street and Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813.
Have you seen any ghosts in Hawaii? For an extra-spooky experience, we recommend combining this haunted trip with either this road trip Oahu's most abandoned places, or this terrifying drive.
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