Historic Downtown Lahaina, HI
$49
In late 1949, Pioneer Mill Company began clearing the fields of rocks to make way for sugar cane. Unfortunately, some of these rocks were sacred to the Hawaiian people. Weird things began to occur as a result, according to local historian Inez Ashdown.
The work progressed and several of the monuments were removed, but one monolith resisted the efforts of tractors and men to move it. Local elders called this the Menehune Rock, after the diminutive ancestors of legend that scientists now explain as a cultural memory of early settlers from the Marquesas archipelago. However, that doesn’t stop people from reporting sightings of these little people even today.
One of the tractor drivers returned to his work one morning and was amazed to find tiny footprints all over the rock and the dust on his tractor. Then the tractor driver tried to move the rock again and had an accident. He refused to try any further. For him, the spirits had made their point. Many other workers left the jobs after similar mishaps. But in the end, Pioneer Mill Company prevailed, when they resorted to blowing up the Menehune Rock, removing it and the tiny, mysterious footprints with it.
This is just one of many mysterious events that have taken place in Lahaina. Once the Hawaiian capital, Lahaina was home to Moku’ula, a sacred island in the middle of a freshwater lake where kings slept, royal remains were revered, and ghosts of the past walked. Discover the local history of unique paranormal activity including long-dead warriors known as the Night Marchers, choking ghosts, and the mysterious fireballs known as akualele.
$49 per person
Lahaina
1.5 - 2 hours
1 mile
On this haunted history tour of historic downtown Lahaina expect to walk about 1 mile over the course of 90-120 minutes. As your tour guide leads you to over ten storied locations around Lahaina, there will be plenty of time to share your own stories and ask questions.
Here is a sample itinerary of some of the places you will visit.
Start where King Kamehameha III once slept
Your guide will meet your small group at Hale Piula, a thatched hut, in Kamehameha Iki Park. This is the site of King Kamehameha III’s never-completed “iron-roof house,” where a reconstruction of the thatched hut where he preferred to sleep now stands. One man was called here by his dreams to help teach new generations traditional Polynesian navigation.
Visualize a sacred site and its powerful ancient goddess
Moku’ula, the site of the ancient Hawaiian capital, was once home to royalty as well as a feared and revered sacred being, who may still dwell below. Kihawahine was once a princess. According to traditional Hawaiian belief, in death, she became a mo’o, a goddess who can appear in many forms including that of a human woman or formidable giant lizard.
Gawk at the biggest banyan tree in the U.S.
The Courthouse Banyan Tree is over 150 years old. This massive specimen is in excess of a city block in length. According to some, its 16 trunks hold supernatural secrets. Learn about the legends associated with banyan from other Pacific cultures as well as the all-to-real cases of nightmare death that afflicted Filipino workers in the Hawaiian Islands in the 1950s.
Marvel at Hawaii’s unique perspective on the paranormal
Your guide will regale you with only authentic tales of Lahaina’s otherworldly inhabitants. New knowledge of the spiritual energy called mana and the family gods called aumakua will enable you to see the paranormal through Polynesian eyes. Experience the fear provoked by uniquely Hawaiian entities including the Night Marchers, choking ghosts, and the mo’o.
The best part is you get authentic stories . . . [Kim] didn’t “stick to a script” . . . she would answer any questions . . .
~Jo E.
The tour was excellent . . . We did this early in our trip and it gave us a great perspective on our stay. I highly recommend this tour.
~Adam M.
The tour provided great historical information along with the haunted side. It showed a great respect for the people and culture of Hawaii.
~Ray Y.
Tours depart from the thatched hut called Hale Piula in Kamehameha Iki Park on the makai (ocean) side of Front St.
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