★★★★★ 4.6 stars, 12 reviews
Hilo Ghost Walk
$65.25 per person
Walking tour of historic downtown Hilo with plenty of ghost stories and local folklore.
*includes all taxes and fees
Duration
2 Hours
Meeting Point
near Day-Lum Properties (2 Kamehameha Ave.)
Minimum Age
13+
Check-Out Availability
On Christmas Day 1915, a Hilo native named Elena dove into the ocean off of Keaukaha with a friend. They swam about 100 feet to some rocks in Hilo Bay to collect Hawaiian shellfish for dinner. Just a moment later, the friend heard Elena’s panicked cries for help. Suspended in place for unknown reasons, an unseen force held her in its powerful grip underneath the waves and wouldn’t let her go. Elena hoped to see her grandchildren again, but her friend, try as she might, could not free her from the crushing, invisible embrace. Who would save Elena?
This is just one of many gripping, otherworldly tales from Hilo. The New Orleans of the Pacific, Hilo is a colorful, historic, mural-filled town — home to music, ghosts, and magic. The scene of devastating tsunamis and the wandering spirits they leave in their wake, Hilo’s crescent-shaped bay also saw the launch of King Kamehameha’s 800 war canoes in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
Expect to learn about Hawaii's haunted heritage and to hear tales of Hilo's unique paranormal activity. Enigmatic local entities include 'uhane, wandering spirits of the dead, 'aumakua, ancestors transformed into family gods, the protective power of Hawaiian deities such as Pele and Mo'oinanea, and akualele, mysterious fireballs associated with curses and the dead.
What To Expect
Why Choose American Ghost Walks?
The Hilo Ghost Walk tour was created by not only combing through old books, newspaper articles, and stories, but by interviewing the people who live and work in these establishments every day. We worked closely developing the tour stops with a local archaeologist and our guides are Hawaiian locals. We are proud to be part of the tourism community in this vibrant town with a fascinating mix of cultures.
Expert Paranormal Guide
Select nights at 5pm
Easy/Moderate
$65.25 Per Person
Important Info
- Free parking is available in the lot near the historical marker, but there is also ample street parking throughout the area.
- The duration of our tours is 1.5-2 hours depending on the engagement of each group. Please allow for 2 hours since our guides take pride in what they do and can sometimes provide updates and extra juicy details when guests ask questions.
- This tour runs rain or shine, so please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes.
- The tour route is wheelchair-accessible, just let us know if you plan on using one, so we can adjust the route appropriately for your comfort.
- Because this is a limited capacity tour, all sales are final. But we will reschedule you if you have an emergency.
- Service animals are welcome. However, for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home if you don’t require their assistance.
The haunted Palace Theatre
A beautiful mural
More incredible local artwork
Kamehameha Avenue, where your haunted excursion begins
The haunted Kress Building
The magnificent Mauna Kea
The haunted Palace Theatre
A beautiful mural
Itinerary
Highlights
- Marvel at Hawaii's unique perspective on the paranormal.
- Hear Hawaiian and Japanese accounts of local supernatural encounters and strange tales from the annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
- Learn about the spiritual influence of the sacred mountain named Mauna Kea on legal affairs.
- Enjoy a haunted stroll through the quaint streets of historic Hilo with its charming pre-World War II persona and historic storefronts.
List of Services
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Confluence of Wailuku River & the Pacific OceanItem Link List Item 1
Gaze into the Wailuku River whose name literally means “water of destruction” in Hawaiian. Maybe you’ll glimpse a fierce sacred being called a mo’o, as you listen to real accounts of tragic occurrences on the river attributed to powerful supernatural forces.
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Palace TheaterItem Link List Item 2
The Tennessee Wraith Chasers evaluated claims of ghostly presences and apparitions in 2019 for the TV show Haunted Towns. Is this cinema in the path of the legendary Night Marchers?
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Kalākaua ParkItem Link List Item 3
Pay homage to Hawaii’s last king, nicknamed the Merrie Monarch, at his statue in Kalākaua Park, Hilo’s original town square. King Kalākaua sparked a resurgence of Hawaiian culture.
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Pacific Tsunami MuseumItem Link List Item 4
Learn about the wandering spirits that followed the deadly tidal waves in 1946 and 1960.
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The Naha StoneItem Link
Touch the 5,000 pound Naha Stone, an ancient megalith which played a vital role in a Hawaiian prophecy.
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Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill HiloItem Link
This popular restaurant was once home to a Masonic Lodge and modern wait staff have reported strange paranormal activity here, what's the connection?
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And much, much more... Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
Item Link
Meeting Point
The historical marker near Day-Lum Properties (2 Kamehameha Ave.)
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Do you go inside any of the haunted buildings?
On this tour, we focus on building exteriors and outdoor spaces. Businesses and public places are open for you to visit during regular business hours. Otherwise we respect the privacy of individuals and organizations and expect that our guests do the same.
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Do guests really see ghosts on this tour?
We can never guarantee a supernatural encounter, but we will explain paranormal phenomena such as cold spots and residual hauntings. What we do guarantee: Our local connections and dedication to research means you'll get authentic accounts — in all their shocking detail.
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Can I bring my pet?
Service animals are welcome. However, for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home if you don’t require their assistance.
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Is this ghost tour kid-appropriate?
While our tours do not contain anything too graphic or inappropriate, we find that kids that enjoy history have the best time. You know your children and that's left up to you. We do not recommend bringing children in strollers because sometimes that can be difficult with larger walking groups.
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What if I'm late or cannot find my guide?
We do our best to answer calls and emails as promptly as they are received. Please make sure to leave a voicemail with the city and tour time. We try to accommodate travel and weather issues, but our public tours cannot wait for more than 10 minutes. Reschedules are available if the date you are interested in is not sold out.
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What is your cancellation policy?
Because this is a limited capacity tour, all sales are final. If we cancel the tour because of weather or another event, we offer a full refund.
We will do our best to accommodate rescheduling requests, but cannot guarantee changes because other tours and dates might be sold out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have the courage to join?
Explore haunted locations and hear chilling tales. Face your fears and uncover dark secrets. Join us, if you dare!
Kailua-Kona Ghost Walk
Kailua-Kona on the Big Island is crawling with accounts of Night Marchers, choking ghosts, and ancient deities. From $59 per person. Select nights at 5:30pm.