Hawaii: 1.5hr Private Walking Tour with the Ghosts of Kailua-Kona

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.

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.

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.