Located on the western coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, Kailua-Kona, often referred to as Kona, is known for its sunny weather and vivid culture, but what many people do not know is that it is awash with curious tales of spirits and supernatural creatures from its mystical past. You will get an immersion into the fascinating, spooky stories associated with Kona and the Big Island on our evening walking tour dedicated to Hawaii's haunted heritage and Kona’s unique paranormal activity.
On your 1.5-hour private ghost tour, you will:
- Enjoy the undivided attention of your enthusiastic local guide with a wealth of knowledge about the cultural heritage of Hawaii;
- Hear vivid testimonies based on interviews with Kona locals about their own experiences of the paranormal in the area;
- Familiarize yourself with the gory origin story of the legendary King Kamehameha;
- See King Kamehameha's compound, where the revered Hawaiian ruler died in 1819;
- Learn about the 'aumakua, ancestors transformed into family gods, superhumans known as kupua, and Hawaiian deities such as Pele and Kihawahine;
- Ponder the strange events that have occurred at Kona Inn Shopping Village;
- Uncover the stories behind the different ghosts thought to haunt the Kona Coast;
- Discover the secret power reported to be found in the sacred artefacts within the Hulihe’e Palace;
- Visit Moku’aikaua Church, the first Christian church in Hawai’i and reveal some of the strange occurrences throughout its long history.
Nestled on the western coast of the Hualalai Volcano, the city of Kailua-Kona is a truly stunning enclave of Hawaii with a myriad of stories to tell. Settlements in the area date back to ancient times when people were enticed by the coastal setting and great weather. Many Hawaiian kings have called the island home over the centuries. As such, Kona’s history is replete with folklore, superstitions and even otherworldly occurrences. Embark on our private evening ghost tour with a local and experience Kona’s supernatural side.
Your tour begins outside King Kamehameha Beach Resort, so named for the powerful warrior, diplomat and ruler who was the first to unite the Hawaiian islands. Here you will meet your private local guide who will impart an introduction to Kailua, explaining how it began as a small fishing village, and grew to become the political, social, and commercial centre of Kona in the 19th century and even served as the capital of Hawaii for many years. You will also hear about the hotel itself, as guests have recounted ghostly encounters here as well as at other hotels along the Kona coast. Your guide will tell you more about who these spirits might be and why they still walk among us.
As you stroll around the city, you will enjoy a range of other stops, hand-picked to showcase the eeriest episodes in Kona's history. You will be sure to check out the nearby Hulihe’e Palace, a stunning royal residence that is now a museum. While you take in the gorgeous facade dating back to 1838, your guide will explain some of the artefacts to be found within the museum and the supernatural powers attributed to them. As you continue along the picturesque Ali’i Drive, you will pass by the Kona Inn Shopping Village which was initially built almost 100 years ago and served as one of the first luxury hotels in the area. Your guide will reveal some supernatural secrets from within the walls of this charming historic building.
Another must-see stop on your ghost tour is the Moku‘aikaua Church, the very first Christian place of worship to be established in Hawaii back in 1820. While the church is primarily known for its religious, historical, and architectural significance, there are multiple references to supernatural or mysterious elements tied to its long history and your guide will give you the lowdown. You will also find out about the older superstitions and traditions that pre-date Christianity’s arrival to the islands. For instance, how in the pre-Christian Hawaiian culture, the presence of ghosts or spirits (known as lapu or uhane) was taken quite seriously and as a result, possible encounters with spirits were typically treated with respect and reverence.
No haunted stroll around Kona would be complete without going past the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, one of Hawaii’s most important historical sites. The illustrious King Kamehameha I spent his final years here and is thought to have taken his final breaths in the original building. Once the wise king established himself there in the 1810s, the site became a centre for governance, and it was here that Kamehameha planned strategies and enacted decisions that would shape Hawaii's future. You will jump back in time and learn all about the mysterious circumstances around the king’s birth and the many bloody battles he fought to defeat island chiefs and unite Hawaii.
Your tour will come full circle and end back around the meeting point, where your guide can provide ample information and recommendations about how to return to your hotel or what else to see and do during your time in Kailua-Kona. You will end your evening thoroughly enthralled by the uniquely Hawaiian tales of spirits and local legends.
