Is there a place on the Earth more beautiful than Hawaii? With its lush vegetation, sparkling waters, and vibrant culture, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find one.
It's important to say, however, that we at The Lineup can't encourage you to travel to Hawaii if you have no ties there. Many Native Hawaiians worry about the negative impact tourism is having not only on the indigenous population, but on the ecosystem of the islands.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Tourism Authority stresses that tourists should simply practice mindfulness. Any non-natives should show their respect to both the land and its people, cleaning up after themselves, acknowledging tradition, and resisting the urge for cultural appropriation.
Use your best judgment when picking your next vacation, but always keep in mind the ripple effect your choices have!
For those locals or thoughtful travelers, there's more waiting for you than just a tropical paradise. Unsettled spirits are making their presence known all across the islands.
From a historical palace to a tragic bridge, here are five of the most haunted places in Hawaii!
Manoa Falls (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia CommonsManoa Falls and the lush trail leading up to it is a beautiful hiking spot. Not only is it scenic and serene, but it's an easy hike for anyone.
However, according to local legend, nightfall brings its fair share of scares.
It's said that Banyan trees hold lost spirits—a peaceful rest stop for aimless souls. But the tree that marks the start of the Manoa Falls trail is the path taken by something far more sinister: The Night Marchers.
Night Marchers are the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors. They let loose bloodcurdling screams as they start their walk, banging drums and donning heavy armor.
If you are unfortunate enough to witness them, the locals offer some vital advice: Lie down on the ground, and don't ever meet their gaze.
Morgan's Corner (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)
In 1948, Therese Wilder, a 68-year-old widow, was murdered by two escaped felons. James Majors and John Palikiko tied up Wilder in her bed before using a hammer on her and eventually smothering her to death.
Morgan's Corner was once a peaceful community, but in the wake of the brutality that took place there, there is a deep sense of eerie unrest.
Many believe that the spirit of Wilder never left the place where she died. Some claim they can still hear her screaming for her life, while others spot her ghostly apparition.
The spirits of Wilder's attackers are also said to haunt the area.
Considering the unsettling pall of the area, it's not surprising that there are further legends attached to the area.
One story tells tales of the apparition of a teenage girl who appears to be halfway decomposed, even as she jump ropes down the road. It's said she was murdered with her own jump rope and tossed into the nearby bushes.
Another story centers on a depressed teenage girl who fled home to hang herself in a tree near Morgan's corner. Today, people swear they spot her apparition walking around holding her own decapitated head.
Iolani Palace (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia CommonsThe Iolani Palace is a historic landmark with a dark history.
The site of a rebellion referred to by historians as the “blueprint of how to steal a kingdom,” this palace was once the home to King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani. Liliuokalani was the last sovereign of Hawaii before it was duplicitously colonized.
Though Liliuokalani died in 1917, it's believed that her spirit is still attached to the beautiful halls of her former home.
Staff and visitors alike report odd happenings around the palace. For one thing, the queen's former bedroom is locked every single night, yet once a month ,the alarm for the room sounds, and when the guards investigate, they find the door cracked open with no one inside.
Guests say they can smell the pungent scent of cigars, which the queen was very fond of. They also spot strange lights in windows and a specter gliding by in a vintage black dress.
In the Blue Room, a piano is kept securely in a bolted-down glass case. No security guard has a key to access the cage, but the workers still hear the piano playing some nights.
16th Avenue Bridge (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)
It's said that on this bridge, a little girl was killed in a hit-and-run. Her spirit still lingers behind, lost and looking for help.
It's said that her spirit approaches walking pedestrians, asking them to help her find her way home. For those who agree, she vanishes from their side the second they get to the end of the bridge.
Ford Island (Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia CommonsConsidering Pearl Harbor's fraught history, it's no surprise that there are some hauntings running amok. One of the most haunted sites in the area is Ford Island, an islet located at the center of the harbor.
It's said that the spirits of the soldiers who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor still linger behind here. Visitors say they hear their disembodied voices, and even spot apparitions.
But there is something even more powerful inhabiting the area. According to local legend, deep in an underwater cave, a powerful shark god dwells.
