Haunted Hotels in Hawaii You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Hawaii with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Hawaii with haunted hotels
13 Haunted Hotels Found in Hawaii
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
The Ko Olina area itself is steeped in Hawaiian history and mythology, including tales of chiefs and spirits. While the Four Seasons Resort Oahu is modern luxury, stories circulate about the surrounding area being sensitive. Some claim encounters with 'night marchers' (hukai'po), ancient spirit warriors said to roam certain areas. These are general to Ko Olina rather than specific to the hotel structure itself. There isn't widespread documentation pinpointing specific ghosts within the hotel rooms, but being built on land with such rich history, some guests and staff sensitive to paranormal energies have reported uneasy feelings or fleeting shadows, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night, attributing it to the spiritual significance of the land.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is built on land that, like much of Kauai, has ancient roots. While not as overtly 'haunted' in reputation as some Waikiki hotels, the Poipu area has its share of folklore. Some stories connect to the nearby coastline and historical sites. Anecdotal reports suggest that construction workers during its development felt uneasy presences, possibly disturbing old grounds. Some guests occasionally mention strange feelings in certain areas, particularly at night near less developed parts of the property or near older structures/trees. A specific, consistently named ghost isn't widely reported for THIS hotel; instead, occurrences are generally vague, like hearing faint distant drums or feeling watched when alone, sometimes attributed to protective spirits of the land disturbed by development.
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
At Halepuna Waikiki By Halekulani Hotel, there are reports concerning a deceased former employee. Allegedly, this worker continues to 'punch in' for their shift using their old work card. The time clock system supposedly registers their card punching *in*, despite the card having been canceled. This spectral check-in occurs repeatedly, but interestingly, the system never records the deceased worker punching *out*.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
One Keomoku Highway, Lanai City, HI 96763
The resort, formerly known as the Lodge at Koele, occupies an area with significant spiritual history according to Hawaiian legends, once believed to be inhabited by spirits ('akua'). While specific details are scarce, there are rumors that the property itself is home to several ghosts. Among the reported phenomena is the sighting of a little girl who occasionally visits guest rooms, though the origins or reasons behind these potential hauntings remain largely unknown. The historical context of Koele, tied to ancient chiefs and spiritual battles, contributes to its mystical aura.
Prince Waikiki
100 Holomoana St, Honolulu, HI 96815
According to HonoluluHaunts.com, Prince Waikiki is believed to be haunted due to its location near where the Wailupe Stream once met the ocean, an area believed to hold spiritual significance. Reports primarily center around phantom footsteps heard in hallways and guest rooms, especially during quiet hours of the night. Some guests have also claimed to hear disembodied whispering voices when no one else is present. There isn't a single famous ghost story or figure associated, but rather general unsettling auditory phenomena attributed to the land's history and potential disturbances.
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
The Royal Hawaiian, with its distinctive pink facade and long history, is another Waikiki landmark subject to ghost stories. One tale revolves around a grieving mother. Legend says a woman checked into the hotel decades ago with her child who unfortunately passed away during their stay (or nearby). Distraught, the mother never truly left, and some guests have reported encountering a spectral woman wandering the halls, sometimes seeming to search for something or someone, often accompanied by a feeling of profound sadness. Others speak generally of the hotel having 'heavy' areas or unexplained cold spots, attributing it to the weight of its history and the many guests, some perhaps 'permanent,' it has hosted over the decades.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
2424 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Stories surrounding the Hyatt Regency Waikiki often involve one of its imposing twin towers. A frequently recounted tale speaks of a woman who supposedly leaped or fell from one of the upper floors. Her spirit is said to linger, with some guests claiming to see a fleeting figure near windows or feeling an inexplicable sense of unease or vertigo on higher floors, even away from balconies. Others have mentioned experiencing elevators behaving erratically, sometimes stopping on floors unrequested, particularly those close to where incidents might have occurred. While details vary, the theme of a tragic fall is common.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
2365 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Opened in 1901, the Moana Surfrider is one of Waikiki's oldest hotels and rich with history and associated ghost stories. One prominent legend is that of Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University, who died in her room at the Moana in 1905 under suspicious circumstances (possibly poisoning). Guests and staff have reported seeing her spirit roaming the hallways, particularly on the floor where she stayed, or attempting to open doors. Another story involves the ghost of a victim from a supposed drowning accident near the hotel, whose presence is felt around the beach area. General paranormal activity includes lights flickering, unexplained noises, and shadowy figures, common claims in such a historic building.
Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
The cliffs near the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa are historically significant and believed by some to be sacred or inhabited by ancestral spirits ('aumakua). While specific, well-documented ghost stories directly tied to hotel rooms are sparse in easily found public records, local lore suggests the area holds spiritual energy. Some guests and staff in Kona coast hotels occasionally report strange occurrences like unexplained noises or feelings of being watched, especially near ancient sites or burial grounds often found close to coastal developments in Hawaii. The proximity to Keauhou Bay, an area rich in history, might contribute to these feelings, though specific hauntings attributed solely to the Outrigger Kona are less defined than more famously 'haunted' locations.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
The Hilton Hawaiian Village, particularly the area around its lagoon and some older towers, is often mentioned in local ghost lore. One persistent tale speaks of a 'lady in red' or 'woman in red'. She is described as a beautiful young woman often seen wandering the hallways or near the beach/lagoon area, sometimes appearing distressed. Theories about her identity vary: some believe she is the spirit of someone tragically murdered in one of the hotel rooms or on the grounds long ago, while others speculate she might be a manifestation linked to the volcano goddess Pele, testing or appearing to visitors. There are also less specific reports of cold spots, disembodied footsteps, and doors opening/closing on their own in certain parts of the vast resort.
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
This hotel stands on grounds of immense historical importance to Hawaiian royalty, directly adjacent to Kamakahonu, King Kamehameha I's former residence. It's widely believed that sacred grounds and potential burial sites are located nearby. Due to this, many believe ancient Hawaiian spirits ('aumakua) protect the area. Guests and staff have reported various paranormal activities: apparitions of ancient Hawaiian warriors, unexplained chanting or drumming sounds, particularly at night, and objects moving on their own. Some stories pinpoint the upper floors as particularly active. A notable claim involves a portrait of Queen Liliuokalani within the hotel, which some allege appears to breathe.
Volcano House Hotel
1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
The Volcano House Hotel has a long history, being rebuilt several times since the mid-1800s, and its location near an active volcano makes it ripe for folklore. It's said the land is sacred to Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. One enduring story involves an 'old woman' or 'elderly lady' spirit, sometimes thought to be a former owner or long-term resident. She is reportedly seen in guest rooms and wandering hallways. Another distinct apparition frequently reported is that of a ghostly white dog, occasionally spotted near the hotel entrance or on the access roads leading up to it. Being within the national park, some attribute general uneasy feelings or strange occurrences to the potent spiritual energy of Pele's domain.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
120 Kaʻiulani Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani stands on grounds that were formerly the 'Āinahau estate, the beloved childhood home of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani, who died tragically young. Many believe her spirit remains connected to her cherished land. Guests and staff have reported seeing a figure resembling the Princess, sometimes described as a beautiful woman in Victorian-era clothing, wandering the gardens and hallways, particularly in the older parts of the hotel. Feelings of sadness or unexplained floral scents (especially jasmine, her favorite flower) are also reported. Some accounts mention hearing faint music or gentle sobbing at night, attributed to the spirit of the heartbroken princess mourning the loss of her kingdom and untimely death.
Haunted History of Hawaii
In the beautiful paradise of Hawaii, the ghost stories are as deep and powerful as the Pacific Ocean. The islands' hauntings are not of the typical colonial or Old West variety; they are deeply rooted in ancient Hawaiian culture, mythology, and a profound reverence for ancestral spirits (‘aumakua). Legends tell of the menehune, a mythical race of mischievous "little people," and the powerful gods and goddesses, like Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, who still demand respect from all who visit her domain.
The most terrifying of all Hawaiian legends is that of the huaka‘i pō, or "Night Marchers." These are the ghostly apparitions of ancient Hawaiian warriors, who are said to march in a solemn procession along sacred paths on certain nights, accompanied by the sound of drums and chanting. These ancient spirits are joined by the more modern ghosts of those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, creating a paranormal landscape where ancient folklore and 20th-century tragedy coexist.
Other Haunted Attractions in Hawaii
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial (Oahu): This is one of the most profound and sorrowful haunted locations in the United States. The spirits of the 1,177 crewmen entombed within the sunken USS Arizona are said to remain at their post. Visitors and staff have reported hearing ghostly cries, seeing oil still weeping from the ship referred to as the "black tears of the Arizona," and feeling an overwhelming sense of grief. Official Website
- The Pali Highway (Oahu): This scenic highway cuts through a site of immense historical violence: the Battle of Nuʻuanu. In 1795, King Kamehameha I's forces drove hundreds of Oahuan warriors off the towering cliffs to their deaths. Their spirits are said to still haunt the area, and the highway is a known path for the terrifying Night Marchers.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island): This is the sacred domain of Pele, the powerful and respected goddess of fire and volcanoes. It is said that taking any lava rock or sand from her home will result in a curse of terrible luck. The park's visitor center receives countless packages of returned rocks every year from cursed tourists begging for Pele's forgiveness. Official Website
- Kukaniloko Birthstones State Monument (Oahu): This is one of Hawaii's most sacred ancient sites, a place where royal children were once born to secure their divine lineage. The area is imbued with immense spiritual power, or
mana. Visitors report feeling a powerful, electric energy and a sense of being watched by ancient, unseen guardians. Official Website
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Hawaii
- Show Respect (
Hō‘ihi): Hawaiian hauntings are deeply tied to cultural beliefs, sacred sites (heiau), and ancestral spirits. Always be respectful, never trespass on closed or private land, and never, ever take lava rocks or sand as a souvenir. - Know the Night Marchers: Learn the legends of the
huaka‘i pō. Local lore dictates that if you are near one of their sacred paths and hear their drums or chanting at night, you must get out of their way, lie face down on the ground in respect, and do not look at them, lest you be taken. - Listen for "Chicken Skin" Stories: "Chicken skin" is the local term for goosebumps, and it's what you get when you hear a good ghost story. Ask locals to share their spookiest chicken skin stories—they are the keepers of the islands' most authentic and terrifying oral traditions.
- Visit Pearl Harbor Solemnly: To understand a key part of Hawaii's modern haunted history, a visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is essential. The emotional and spiritual weight of the site is a paranormal experience in itself.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Hawaii
Are haunted hotels in Hawaii safe to stay in? Yes, of course. They are beautiful resorts and historic hotels that offer safe and welcoming accommodations. The local spirits are part of the islands' unique and ancient folklore and are deeply respected.
What is the most haunted hotel in Hawaii?
Many of the older hotels, especially on Oahu and the Big Island, have their own resident ghosts. These spirits range from the legendary "Lady in White" and the mischievous menehune to the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian royalty who are said to still wander their ancestral lands where hotels now stand.
Do haunted hotels in Hawaii offer ghost tours? Yes, Hawaii has a fantastic ghost tour scene, especially on Oahu. Companies like Oahu Ghost Tours offer tours that explore the islands' unique legends, from the Night Marchers to the restless spirits of Pearl Harbor.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels in Hawaii? Most hotels are very family-friendly. The ghost stories are part of the rich local culture and mythology, which can be a fascinating and spooky learning experience for older kids and teens who are interested in Hawaiian history.
What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Hawaii? Any time of year is great for a visit to paradise! However, the fall season around Halloween often sees an increase in ghost tours and local storytelling events, making it a particularly fun time for a paranormal-themed vacation.