Are you heading to Hawaii in October or just want to try to see some ghosts in Hawaii? Keep scrolling to find out the most haunted places in Hawaii worth checking out.
This list of the spookiest haunted places in Hawaii was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
The Hawaiian Islands are a great place for all sorts of travel. From the beautiful white sand beaches to the unbelievable Hawaiian culture, there is so much that attracts people to these tropical islands.
However, some people have found much more than just sun and sand while visiting this island paradise.
It turns out that Hawaii has some pretty creepy places too! And Halloween in Hawaii wouldn’t be the same without a visit to a haunted Hawaiian destination or two.
Because we love visiting Hawaii in October, I thought I’d share some of the most haunted places in Hawaii that might scare even the bravest tourists.
Keep scrolling to find out the best places to see ghosts in Hawaii!
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Haunted Places in Hawaii for Halloween
Are you looking for creepy places that might have ghosts or scary places in Hawaii? These are just some of the haunted places in Hawaii worth checking out if you need a little fright!
From a Hawaii haunted resort to Oahu ghost tours with spooky tales, everyone will love these haunted places Hawaii has to offer.
1. Iao Theater on Maui
This Hawaiian theater was built in 1928. It was originally both a movie and vaudeville house, but now it is most well-known for its paranormal activity, especially at night.
The creepiest story?
There’s a ghost who haunts this theater by sitting in seats during performances or standing on stage when it’s closed! Witnesses claim that she is friendly, though many affectionately refer to her as “Emma” – an unknown flapper/actress with a penchant for productions from 1920s America.
Lights will mysteriously flicker out completely before coming back on again without warning; boards malfunctioning unexpectedly are common-place occurrences while Emma lurks around too.
But once someone acknowledges her presence (especially if it’s accompanied by applause!), all these eerie happenings come to an end faster than you can say ‘ghost.’
If you are looking for a haunted Maui spot, this is definitely it.
2. Honolulu Airport on Oahu
It’s a common local legend that the Honolulu Airport, also known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, is haunted by “the Lady in Waiting.” She stands at night, peering out from one of the gates to watch planes take flight and land before disappearing into thin air.
People claim she appears mostly on her own late at night, but this ghost in Hawaii can be seen walking through restricted areas with an eerie expression.
3. Nanakuli Sugar Mill Ruins on Oahu
Located in Nanakuli near Makaha, there are ruins of an old sugar mill. It is said that the Hawaiian goddess of snow, Poli’ahu, lives here. It has also been rumored that she was seen walking through these ruins on one particularly stormy night in 1977.
4. Iolani Palace on Oahu
King Kalakaua built the Iolani Palace in 1882 for his sister, Queen Liliuokalani. Over the years, people meticulously restored it to its former grandeur, and now it’s a popular tourist attraction.
The palace is now open to visitors who can see its various treasures, throne rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and more. However, it’s said that the palace is haunted by Queen Lili’uokalani, who was imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom for almost 8 months and died there two years later.
Whether it is just urban legends or not, it is one of the haunted hotels in Honolulu.
5. Volcano House Hotel on the Big Island
An old lady is said to haunt the Volcano House Hotel, which was once a private residence. The family who lived in this house would often report seeing her apparition during their time there, and now many of those staying at the hotel have seen shadowy figures too!
There are also frequent reports of a ghostly white dog on an entrance road leading up to the hotel that some say only appears for seconds before disappearing again into thin air!
It is another haunted hotel in Hawaii.
6. Waikiki Prince Hotel on Oahu
Ever since it opened, the Waikiki Prince Hotel has been one of Oahu’s most iconic and treasured sites. But there is more to this hotel than just a great view!
There have been reports of unexplained whispering voices, strange lights moving around the building, scary sounds, and even luggage being moved about from room to room without anyone touching them at all!
How creepy is that? The hotel is still open for business if you’re looking for a spooky place to stay! It is another one of the top haunted places in Honolulu.
7. The Pali Lookout on Oahu
The Pali Lookout is the site of one of King Kamehameha I’s most iconic battles. The battle that ensured his reign over all of Hawaii was so fierce it claimed hundreds of lives – many who were forced off the cliffs in their final moments as they tried to escape certain death from both sides.
It stands on a cliffside in Kaneohe and is most well-known for its Hawaiian ghost called “Pali Lady.” That’s not all, though – there have been many ghost sightings reported there, including apparitions of fallen warriors from World War II.
If you are looking for hauntings in Hawaii, go on this popular hiking trail.
8. Kawaiaha’o Church and Graveyard on Oahu
This Hawaiian church was constructed between 1836 and 1842 and was built with 14,000 thousand-pound slabs of coral rock. It has been reportedly haunted by Hawaiian royalty, but it’s said that visitors have seen ghostly figures walking through its halls at night.
The graveyard is said to be haunted by Night Marchers, a term indigenous Hawaiians use for restless spirits or ancestors (i.e., those deceased individuals still with ties left undone). It’s believed these Hawaiian Chiefs of the past march at night along various parts of the island chain.
9. Aloha Tower on Oahu
The Aloha Tower is a historic landmark of Honolulu Harbor. There are many stories about what may live inside this tower – from ghosts of sailors who died aboard ships anchored here during World War II to spirits protecting Hawaiian culture.
The most well-known of the ghosts of Hawaii here is a Pearl Harbor victim. It is said that he stands in the tower looking into the ocean for the people who killed him.
10. Hawaii Plantation Village Museum on Oahu
The Hawaiian plantation village museum is located in Waipahu on the island of Oahu. It was once a sugarcane plantation and now is a living history museum, a hot spot for the paranormal, and one of the most haunted places in Oahu.
It’s estimated that 25% of the buildings are haunted, and due to the supernatural activity, the employees and caretakers aren’t allowed to work alone for safety reasons! That’s certainly taking it up a notch!
Every year, the plantation transforms into a spooky haunted house. The “hauntings” are provided by actors, of course, but that doesn’t mean that the real spirits don’t join in the fun! The spooky plantation Halloween event is one of the haunted places on Oahu that does come with a warning that it is not for the faint of heart!
Be sure to visit the Hawaii haunted plantation if you are visiting in October.
11. Saddle Road Hawaii Haunted Spots on Big Island
The Saddle Road on the Big Island is another one of the mystical places in Hawaii where you will hear plenty of ghost stories.
This road is between Hilo and Kona and is around 80 miles long. You will find plenty of stories about paranormal activity along this road.
Some have shared about seeing car lights along the road, and suddenly, they disappear out of nowhere. Others heard a tap on the roof of their car while on the road. Some felt unwelcomed and unhappy forces suddenly in their car.
12. Pearl Harbor Pacific Aviation Museum on Oahu
For all things haunted, Oahu definitely has your back. And at Pearl Harbor, you might find some fallen soldiers still hanging around the area.
In particular, the Pacific Aviation Museum is said to be haunted as well. Hangers 37 and 39 were still standing after the attack on Pearl Harbor and were turned into the museum.
Some people claim to hear footsteps out of nowhere and other strange sounds. Back in 2012, the museum also appeared on Ghost Hunters, where they found more noises and lights appearing.
13. Wailua on Kauai
One of the rumored haunted places in Kauai is in Wailua. This town is known for having an ancient temple or heiau, but others know it for the ghosts that are around the area.
An urban legend has been told that some ghosts will swim along the river and jump off the cliff at Polihale. Others are seen along the highway in Wailua. These ghosts are commonly known as the Night Marchers.
14. Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu
Another haunted island resort in Hawaii, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, seems to have a woman ghost that usually wears a red dress roaming the halls.
From time to time, visitors see her either in the hallways or on the beach. Suddenly she disappears!
If you want to stay at a haunted Hawaii resort, this one is great!
15. Morgan’s Corner on Oahu
After you visit Pali Lookout, head to Morgan’s Corner. Apparently, a woman was murdered here, and it has been rumored that her ghost remains.
While her house is not there anymore, many claim she is still there. Some people heard screaming and wailing, while others heard scratching noises at this haunted spot.
Hawaii Ghost Tours
Now that you know about some of the most haunted Hawaii destinations, let’s take it a bit further by talking about some of the creepiest tours in Hawaii!
Maui Ghost Walking Tour
Maui is an island full of culture, history, and mystery. Join us on a walking tour through the city of Lahaina to explore all things Maui has in store for you! You’ll take some time learning about colorful characters like Hawaiian kings and fairies while also uncovering haunted beaches with stories that are brand new, only found right here on this walking tour.
No fake ghouls or goblins- just old ghosts who have been haunting these haunted places in Maui since ancient times! Check the latest rates and more information.
Kona Haunted Hele Ghost Tour
Visit the only ghost tour in Kona, retracing the steps of royalty through Ali’i Drive to find history and mystery. Explore local stops like Kailua Pier, Ahuena Heiau, Kamakahonu Beach & Hulihe’e Palace before ending with Mokuaikaua Church.
For extra creepy fun, visit their booth at The Kona Inn Shopping Village for healing sessions or psychic readings before your trip! It is one of the best haunted Hawaii tours on the Big Island. Check latest rates and more information.
Hilo After Dark Ghost Tour
Tour the haunted sites of Hilo with a local tour guide, and investigate hotels and historic sites for paranormal occurrences as you hear tales of spooky sightings.
Begin your outing with group prayer to protect against evil spirits, then listen closely while our knowledgeable guide provides history on Hilo’s supernatural activity, including ghostly appearances in Happiness Gardens along with other legendary Night Marchers’ routes.
You will hear plenty of Hawaiian scary stories along the way too. Check latest rates and more information.
Honolulu Haunts Guided Ghost Tour
On this Honolulu ghost tour, your guide will take you to some of the most haunted sites on Oahu Island and share chilling legends from over a century ago that have been passed down through generations.
Your evening begins with tales about postal workers who still report for their shift even though they’ve left this world behind long before midnight strikes!
Then you’ll hear stories about encounters with ghosts at locations such as an iconic hotel in downtown Waikiki, where sightings are so common it’s become known as “the Ghost Hotel,” or visit one of many portals into another realm. This haunted Honolulu tour is quite fun. Check latest rates and more information.
Ghost Bus Hawaii
If you don’t want a walking tour, go on the haunted bus Hawaii tour instead! This bus is located at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa parking lot.
With this tour, you are not going around to see different places; the bus itself is haunted. It was created by Michaelty Yamaguchi, who is a Japanese haunted house specialist.
It is the perfect scary adventure to embark on. Only for people ages 8 and up. Check latest rates and more information.
Hawaii Ghost Stories
Now, if you’re not able to plan a trip to Hawaii in the foreseeable future, don’t worry! You can still learn more with these awesome Hawaiian ghost stories that will send shivers down your spine.
Hawaii’s Best Spooky Tales: The Original
These true stories from Native Hawaiians and others detail strange encounters with the unknown, including hauntings in houses and heiau, “aumakua” sightings, or hearing their calls at night. They also talk about the Night Marchers, a Hawaii ghost story you’ll want to know about.
These spooky Hawaii stories aren’t too terrifying but definitely might keep you up at night!
Glen Grant’s Chicken Skin Tales: 49 Favorite Ghost Stories from Hawai’i
If you’re looking for a super creepy book about Hawaii, this is the one to get. The term “chicken skin” is what people call goosebumps in Hawaii. And these “true” stories will surely leave you unnerved.
These Hawaii ghost stories include supernatural folklore from people who came to Hawaii as plantation workers and brought their own eerie tales. It also gives scary facts about Hawaiian islands as well.
Supernatural Hawaii
Legends of ancient Hawaiian warriors, mysterious blue lights hovering and zipping in the night sky, tiny people disappearing or being attacked by invisible spirits- these are just some examples of supernatural tales that Hawaii has to offer.
Some stories tell true experiences with deities like Madam Pele (goddess of volcanoes) as well as guardian protector spirits who could be sharks reincarnated into humans–a type known for their ferocity against invaders; or white owls that defend those uninformed about the spirit world from dark forces at night.
Hawaii Halloween FAQs
Absolutely! And there are plenty of Halloween parties and costume parades that happen throughout the islands. However, most people agree Halloween on Maui is one of the best spots. There are a lot of festivities on Front Street in Lahaina, and it’s totally worth a trip.
The legend of the night marchers is a common trope in Hawaiian folklore. It tells of restless spirits or ancestors who are believed to march at night along various parts of an island chain with their descendants. They were recently featured in the Netflix film Finding ‘Ohana.
October is one of our favorite times to visit Hawaii. It’s right in the middle of the low season, and you can often find awesome travel deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Plus, there are cultural events and fewer crowds.
While you will find haunted places along all the islands, Oahu seems to have the most spooky places. From haunted Hawaiian resorts to a Hawaii haunted house that is the scariest in the United States, you will find plenty of ghosts on this island.
Haunted Spots on Hawaii Wrap-Up
There are plenty of destinations to choose from that will ensure you have a hauntingly good time. Whether your goal is finding the scariest haunted house in Hawaii or just want some spooky scenery, these places in Hawaii are sure to give you chills this Halloween season.