Oahu Community Correctional Center
Posted: 04.21.2025 | Updated: 04.21.2025
You can’t help but hear the calming melody of a ukulele being played when one thinks of Honolulu, Hawaii. It almost sums up the peaceful nature of this breathtaking island. And standing in direct contrast is Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC).
Located at 2199 Kamehameha Way, in the city of Honolulu, the facility’s sole mission is dedicated to reshaping its prisoners into productive citizens upon release. Much different from the prison that once stood in its place decades ago, its mission: no one leaves alive. Indeed, many haven’t, and now, countless ghosts are believed to haunt OCCC.
Curious as to what makes Honolulu so haunted? Visit our website today and join Honolulu Haunts for a chance to come face-to-face with some of Hawaii’s most chilling ghosts! Be sure to also check our blog for more spooky stories from its most haunted locations.
Is Oahu Community Correctional Center Haunted?
Oahu Community Correctional Center is the last place one would want to be in Hawaii. Not just for the obvious nature of being locked up, but some of your fellow cellmates may not be of this world.
History of the Oahu Community Correctional Center
Oahu, also called “the gathering place,” has a recorded history going back sometime around 500 A.D. Tahitians established permanent settlements on the island and continued to flourish for over a thousand years, developing their own customs, languages, and political structure.
Their way of life permanently changed in 1795, however. King Kamehameha, chief of the island of Hawai’i, had already conquered the neighboring islands and now had his eyes set on Oahu in an effort to create a unified kingdom. He consequently met resistance, but the natives were ultimately no match for Kamehameha and his massive army. What was left of the ancient culture of Oahu died with the last 800 warriors who fell 1,000 feet to their deaths off Nu’uanu Pali.
Oahu became the home of the Hawaiian monarchy for the next century; later, its royal capital, Honolulu, in 1845. The island’s fate drastically changed again in the 1890s. First, with the overthrow of its last monarchical figure, Queen Liliuokalani, in 1893, followed by its annexation to the United States in 1898.
However, what the island might best be known for is what happened to one of its naval ports on December 7, 1941 — Pearl Harbor. A surprise aerial attack from the Japanese resulted in the destruction of countless military vessels and over 2,000 lives being lost.
Today, Oahu is a natural dreamscape where contemporary architecture and urban living cohabitate with nature. Its capital, Honolulu — the educational focal point of the state — is home to several educational institutions, including the renowned University of Hawaii. It’s also considered one of the safest cities to live in in the U.S.
But this once royal city is not without its fair share of crime. And for that, it’s also home to the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
Hauntings Overview
OCCC is haunted by tormented spirits connected to a darker past, drenched in the very soil of where this 16-acre structure now stands. It was once the site of Oahu Prison: a place of no return for society’s worst.
The correctional facility has since experienced a number of strange and disturbing encounters. This includes prisoners reporting that they hear cell doors rattling, as well as opening and slamming shut.
OCCC has also been the frequent subject of debate for renovations and expansions over the years. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was subsequently released in 2018. According to the report, the southwestern end of the property overlaps with the inactive Halawa Cemetery.
It was used from December 1941 to 1947, when all the bodies were exhumed and reburied elsewhere. Those interviewed during the consultation process supposedly stated that much of the facility’s spiritual activity is directly related to the former cemetery. They also stated that night marchers would follow a path along the corridor through the upper part of the facility.
The former killing grounds, where 47 men were hanged from 1909 to 1947, have also caused a frightening disturbance at OCCC. A Salvation Army thrift store now stands in its place.
Even then, guards avoid the squad room adjacent to it whenever they are not on active duty. Odd disturbances keep them from sleeping, including a feeling of uneasiness. There is something even more frightening that keeps them away, however.
The Choking Ghost
There are stories in the facility of a ghost that’s known to strangle unsuspecting victims in their sleep. The earliest recorded instance is of a guard who was found dead in his bunk in 1944. However, there is no rhyme or reason to the violent spirit’s pattern. It’s been known to attack both guards and prisoners who have reported being strangled by an invisible presence.
Two former administrators at OCCC also recalled one guard coming off duty who said he saw a big ball roll in front of him before it disappeared. He then felt a tremendous weight on his shoulders. Dogs could sense whatever it was and consistently barked at it.
The weight became so heavy that the guard could hardly climb the stairs to his house. He wasted away every day to the point where he was skin and bones, until he went to church and prayed. Finally, the weight was lifted from his shoulders.
Haunted Honolulu
The spirits of the dead wander through the darkness of the still night in Honolulu. Hanging leis sway gently from side to side in a gentle gust of wind. The voices of the dead cry out from the land. They speak to a more tragic side of the island’s story.
One of its chapters centers around Oahu Community Correctional Center. It stands on the site of one of Hawaii’s most infamous prisons, as well as a former cemetery for the victims of one of America’s most infamous wartime disasters. With the soil disturbed, many believe their ghosts have stayed behind and lurk in the shadows of what is now Hawaii’s most haunted jail.
Ready to explore the more chilling side of Hawaii after dark? Join Honolulu Haunts for a ghost tour through some of The Big Pineapple’s spookiest locations. Someone is watching you from every corner. Be sure to also stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates and more!
Sources:
- https://dcr.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/corrections/occc/
- https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Honolulu
- https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-9-most-haunted-places-on-oahu/
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/hawaii/oahu/haunted-places
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLtrnmYDYu4&t=677s
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