6 Hawai‘i Ghost Books That’ll Give You Serious Chicken Skin
If you’re feeling brave, read these local ghost stories.
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared online in October 2015.
Nothing sets the mood for All Hallow’s Eve like exchanging ghost stories in the dark. And these scary collections of hair-raising, spine-tingling, firsthand accounts of supernatural experiences all happened right in our backyard (Hawai‘i).
SEE ALSO: Our Favorite Ghost Stories About Haunted Places on O‘ahu
Obake: Ghost Stories in Hawai‘i
by Glen Grant
Image: Courtesy of Mutual Publishing
Within these pages are stories based on the supernatural experiences collected from Islanders from all cultural backgrounds. Their stories first appeared in the Hawai‘i Herald in 1983, and the late Glen Grant, a popular storyteller and Hawaiiana historian, compiled those stories in this book.
$9.99, Mutual Publishing, mutualpublishing.com
The Secret Obake Casebook: Tales From the Dark Side of the Cabinet
by Glen Grant
Image: Courtesy of Mutual Publishing
These eerie and chilling stories are based on 25 years of investigating Hawai‘i’s paranormal encounters. From sorcery to demonic possession, evil spirits to spooky hauntings, this book will give you chicken skin.
$13.95, Mutual Publishing, mutualpublishing.com
Haunted Hawaiian Nights
by Lopaka Kapanui
Image: Courtesy of Mutual Publishing
Lopaka Kapanui, who apprenticed under Grant, continues the tradition of telling stories of supernatural experiences from everyday people in Hawai‘i. This collection of stories is rooted in the ancient and modern world of the Islands.
$9.95 (out of print), Mutual Publishing, mutualpublishing.com
The Legend of Morgan’s Corner and Other Ghost Stories of Hawai‘i
by Lopaka Kapanui
Image: Courtesy of Mutual Publishing
You’ve probably heard the infamous story about Morgan’s Corner. This collection of stories recounts different spirit encounters at this spot. Lopaka Kapanui also differentiates between ghosts and spirits—good and bad—and shares a theory on choking ghosts. He retells stories told to him, unembellished, which makes them that much more spine-tingling.
$9.95 (out of print), Mutual Publishing, mutualpublishing.com
Hawai‘i’s Best Spooky Tales series
by Rick Carroll
Image: Courtesy of Bess Press
Native Hawaiians, local journalists and visitors share stories of strange encounters with the spooky side of Hawai‘i. Each book has more tales about ghosts in graveyards, what happens when someone breaks kapu, and other supernatural experiences. Plus, Carroll offers a guide to the spookiest sites on each of the Hawaiian Islands.
$12.95, Bess Press, besspress.com
Madame Pele: True Encounters with Hawai‘i’s Fire Goddess
by Rick Carroll
Image: Courtesy of Bess Press
The fire goddess Pele, often called Madame Pele out of respect, is well-known in Hawaiian mythology for taking on many forms. Sometimes, she appears as a beautiful young woman and other times appears as an elderly beggar asking for food and water to test the generosity of those she encounters. In this book, 23 people share their stories about their experiences with Madame Pele.
$11.95, Bess Press, besspress.com
