Kaneana Cave

Posted: 02.27.2025 | Updated: 02.27.2025

There’s a mythical cave in an even more mythical part of Hawaii that has become a part of local folklore. This legendary location is said to be host to a number of different phenomena over the years, from criminal hideaways to ancient customs to even the home of gods. 

We’re referring to the Kaneana Cave. Also known as Makua Cave, this beautiful hike is in an untamed area of Honolulu. And when we say “untamed,” we mean it – this is a treacherous hike to make, although it’s still open to the public, for any who are willing to risk the wilderness…and the ghosts and gods who may just be lurking there. 

Read on to learn precisely who might still be resting in the Kaneana Cave and when you’re finished, book an in-person tour with us. Not only does our Honolulu Haunts ghost tour make for an excellent addition to any Hawaiian vacation, but it will also provide you with more information about other haunted places on this island paradise. 

Is the Kaneana Cave haunted?

The answer to that question depends on who you ask. If they know of Kaneana Cave at all, most tourists and visitors to Hawaii may just think of it as an admittedly off-the-beaten path destination for hikers and nature lovers. But ask locals or those who are knowledgeable about Hawaii’s rich mythology and history, and new, haunting details, will begin to emerge.

History of Kaneana Cave

The mythology and history of the Kaneana Cave, sometimes called Makua Cave, in Hawaii are rich and storied. It is located in Mākaha, a leeward area in Honolulu. Like many caves of this beautiful blue marble we call home, it was formed a long time ago – 15,000 years ago by most scientific estimates – and was caused by an underwater lava tube.

While an impressive enough creation story on its own, the traditional Hawaiian mythology around it is even more epic. This cave is considered to be the “the womb of Earth,” which is why it was named after Kāne, the Hawaiian god of creation. 

To this day, it has a reputation that’s equal parts hallowed and eerie.  With its dark corridors, unmaintained and slippery tunnels, and unmatched natural beauty, it’s easy to see why.

If you want a nice spot to be alone, then it’s hard to beat Kaneana Cave. This might be why it had a reputation in the early 1900s as being a place where a number of criminals disposed of murder victims. It’s also been alleged that this cave is a portal to another dimension.

Whether or not that’s true is hard to say, but what can be said is that – whether it’s from the lingering souls of the departed or another reason – some strange things keep happening in this cave.

Cave Hauntings

Some of these paranormal sightings and supernatural reputations can come from the kahuna. Although the word kahuna doesn’t have a direct translation into English, it can best be thought of as ancient Hawaiian priests, healers, and leaders. 

Hundreds of years ago, the kahuna class would often perform rituals in Kaneana Cave. Their mystic arts are said to have had a lasting impact on the area. Priests were traditionally buried here, which might explain this cave’s haunted reputation. 

If it’s not the priests doing it, there’s a chance it could be the imprints of the souls of the dead chiefs who are said to remain in limbo, wandering the cave. Whether or not they’re the ones behind some of the more eerie phenomena that visitors report hearing in the cave—like a disembodied voice shrieking out through the corridors and feeling an unsettling energy as they walk in—they remain the only likely suspects. 

Although, perhaps that’s not strictly true. For you see, if it’s not the spirits of the chiefs, restless in their haunted wanderings down the cave, who are causing these spooky things to happen, there is one other culprit we can point our finger to – Nanue the Shark God.

Nanaue The Shark God

Nanaue is a deity in the same pantheon as the creator-god Kāne. And if you think you had an interesting lineage, Nanaue for sure has you beat because he is the son of Kamohoali‘i, the King of Sharks, and a human woman named Kalei. 

Fans of DC Comics will know that the character of King Shark from Suicide Squad was based on the myth of Nanaue – the two even share the same name! 

His ancestry became clear from the moment he was born. He was blessed (or cursed depending on who you ask) with the ability to transform into a shark at will. The only sign of his power in human form was a giant shark’s mouth on his back. 

Like any good mother, Kalei wanted to protect her baby from the world, so she hid the strange mutation with a thin blanket. While this disguise worked well while the infant Nanaue was still in swaddling clothes, the cover eventually fell apart. 

However, it wasn’t just appearances that Kalei had to worry about -the King of Sharks warned her that unless Nanaue stayed away from meat, he’d develop an insatiable appetite for human flesh. 

In traditional Hawaiian culture, the men and women were forbidden from eating with one another. When Nanaue was old enough to walk, his grandfather took him to eat with the other men and, not under his mother’s watchful eye, Nanaue took a bite of the forbidden meat.

And was promptly hooked. 

Is he still in the cave?

Desiring to eat a full human and unable to control himself, Nanaue abducted a beautiful young woman. This led to his being chased by all her friends and neighbors. Eventually, the villagers caught up with him and speared his shark form in the water.

This cave is said to still be haunted by the ghost of Nanaue to this very day because it was here where the Shark Man first began to lure his victims down to devour them whole.

Haunted Honolulu 

If Nanaue is still around the cave, we recommend bringing a friend on your trip. While you may not be able to outrun the Shark God, you may be able to outrun your friend. 

If you liked this story and want to learn similar tales, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They spotlight other offbeat ghost stories all over the United States. Checking our blog is another good way to stay up-to-date with all the latest ghost stories and haunted spots in Hawaii specifically. 

And if you want to explore Hawaiian ghosts up close, a ghost tour with Honolulu Haunts is the best way to do that. Our guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and can provide even more information on the area. 

Sources:

• https://www.thehikinghi.com/upper-makua-cave

• https://danielshawaii.com/kaneana-cave-on-oahu/#:~:text=Creepy%20Cave%20Stories&text=Some%20say%20that%20priests%20who,a%20homicide%20near%20the%20cave.
• https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-legend-of-waianaes-haunted-makua-cave/
• https://www.to-hawaii.com/legends/nanaue.php
• https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/hawaii/haunted-cave-hi