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October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.
My fascination with ghost stories emerged in the early 1990s, shortly after I moved to Honolulu and began learning about local supernatural lore by participating in one of college professor Glen Grant's nighttime ghost tours around the island of O'ahu.
Thrilling tales of night marchers (the spirits of Hawaiian warriors roaming the countryside where ancient battles were fought) and eerie appearances by Madame Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes, are at the top of my list for "chicken skin" stories, along with tales set at Kaena Point, the leaping off spot for souls of the recently departed.
The Lost Little Girl of Manoa Valley, a story involving a little girl found crying in a local cemetery late one rainy evening, (of course it was "a dark and stormy night"!) is one of many unsettling though entertaining ghost stories in Glen Grant's book, Chicken Skin Tales. Although I was raised across the road from a cemetery and have never found cemeteries particularly scary, this story set my spine tingling because the finer details of the spiritual encounter make the experience truly believable.
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| Kaena Point, northeastern O'ahu |
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| End of the line |
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| Me - not planning to leap off anytime soon! |
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Going on a ghost tour in a new area seems like a fun way to also get the feel and history of a place. Glad you made those fun discoveries!
ReplyDeleteYes, Shannon, the guided tour at the time was informal and uncrowded so we received Indepth information about some popular urban legends.
DeleteI bet that ghost tour was fun! I've seen a few on TV.
ReplyDeleteNight time in a rain forest and roaming a dark cemetery, yes, definitely my idea of a fun time (seriously!)
DeleteOkay, that sound scary! (the story) A ghost tour is a great way to learn about a place.
ReplyDeleteAnd having Glen Grant as the narrator made the tour especially memorable.
DeleteAloha, Gail. Thanks for commenting my blog, thus encouraging me to 'meet' you.
ReplyDeleteAloha PJ. Always interesting to see what lies beyond the fork in the road! Hope others have the opportunity I had to read your blog post today.
DeleteI've been to Oahu twice but never on a ghost tour--that sounds fantastic. I went on a ghost tour at my alma mater (Kenyon College) hosted by my favorite English professor, which was quite fun.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a memorable experience; not that all the details need be accepted as fact but as local legend.
DeleteI bet you've heard all sorts of ghostly tales that never made it off the islands.
ReplyDeleteAnd they pop up during new construction or additions to a shopping center because bones are often unearthed during the "breaking ground stage."
DeleteHow interesting to grow up across from a cemetery!
ReplyDeleteLucky for us we also had open fields all around for plenty of freedom. So much different than today's crowded living spaces. Of course, there was also the joke that the neighbors were never noisy!
DeleteAhh! Lucky you, Gail. My husband and I have thought about moving to Hawaii, but then we decided to visit it yearly instead. I'd like to visit Kaena Point. I enjoy Madame Pele stories, but then I love volcanoes (It's the geologist in me.). I hope that you've had a good IWSG Day. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, volcanic activity is interesting to follow and there are very few lulls in active flows on the Big Island. Luckily with no damage in recent years.
DeleteHawaiian ghost stories - it must've been a fascinating tour. Alas, i have never been to Hawaii. Always wanted to, but it never happened.
ReplyDeleteThe tours were held late at night so that made the stories even scarier. Olga, some videos of Hawaii on YouTube give you the feel of visiting without the cost!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! I love local lore horror stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jamie.
DeleteOoh, I like hearing about creepy and eerie stories like that! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deniz.
DeleteHi, I have never been to Hawaii, although my brother lived there five years and loved it. I don't know whether I would like to hear the ghost stories from that State, though. They would probably cause me sleepless nights.
ReplyDeleteShalom shalom
I agree, Pat, some of the stories could give you nightmares. But the ones with happy endings are fun to hear.
DeleteLove, love, love the idea of nighttime ghost tours. What class was that for? And who knew Hawaii had ghosts. Here in Mexico we have the Alex.
ReplyDeleteNot a class, Leigh, a ghost tour for the public to learn more about the supernatural traditions of Hawai'i, mainly spirits, strange beings, poltergeists, and fireballs.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and introducing me to Chicken Skin Tales. Nice pictures. A ghost tour sounds fun, but also scary. I'm torn (he he).
ReplyDeleteA bit scary but a safe tour. Thanks for visiting, Toi.
DeleteOkay, I really want to hear the story about the little girl in the graveyard...
ReplyDeleteThis story is so realistic because later the blanket was found near her gravesite.
DeleteI too have to thank you for introducing chicken skin tales. Read a little about it. I too have a cemetery near. The creepiness inspires stories. LOL!
ReplyDeleteAh, I think having lived near a cemetery makes us more prone to enjoying ghostly stories. Not the kind that make you jump out of your skin but the ones that have you thinking about them over and over again.
DeleteLove the idea of a ghost tour of a new place. what better way to learn about history than through its ghosts?
ReplyDeleteIt helped me better understand the culture and feel a connection with the local population. Thanks for visiting, Kate.
DeleteI never thought of going on a ghost tour, but it sounds like it could be fun.
ReplyDeleteIf you have an opportunity, I would say go for it, Natalie.
DeleteGreat post, Gail. Love the legend. Visiting Hawaii is on my bucket list. Crossing my fingers I'll get there one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThere are cruises around the islands if you aren't into hiking but want to see the scenery. Any way you choose to visit, Jolene, you will enjoy the sights.
DeleteWe've visited Hawaii twice now and while I knew of Pele, I never really thought of ghost stories. I hope you are inspired by that ghost tour to write a few Hawaiian ghost stories yourself. Even visiting the lava fields reminds me the potentially violent beauty of nature. I'm looking forward to reading your memoir.
ReplyDeleteVisiting the volcano sites and heiau on the islands has given me ideas for several stories which have yet to be written. Thanks for visiting, Beth.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of Hawaii! When I visit a city, I make a point of going on a ghost tour. One of the best was in Savannah, Georgia. Now there's a haunted city!
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