Prince Waikiki Hotel | Ghosts of Honolulu’s Troubled Past

Posted: 01.23.2025 | Updated: 01.23.2025

Hidden within one luxurious Honolulu hotel are unnerving and perplexing phenomena that conjure images of dark shadows. Some say encounters that call from the beyond are waiting within the Prince Waikiki Hotel. 

The delight of a Hawaiian paradise calls to millions each year as the popular tourist destination pulls travelers from around the globe. The post-WWI2 appetite for Hawaii as a tourist destination saw an explosion in visitor numbers, waterfront development, and real estate values across the Waikiki waterfront.

The pristine golden beaches and endless turquoise waters of Honolulu have been a vacation destination and accessible paradise for generations, from local Polynesian culture to the glory of the volcanic Hawaiian islands. Mention Honolulu, close your eyes, and images of serene beauty certainly come to mind.

Let your imagination swim away in these calming yet troubled Hawaiian waters on a Honolulu Ghost Tour.

Who Haunts The Waikiki Prince Hotel?

Unexplained experiences and brushes with the unknown have led some to believe that the spirits of Honolulu’s ancient past may indeed connect with the living at the Prince Waikiki Hotel. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole is reportedly one of the many spirits who appear as disembodied voices, apparitions, and mysterious orbs. 

The History Of The Prince Waikiki Hotel

The Prince Waikiki Hotel’s iconic aesthetic has been a striking feature on the waterfront since 1990. The 350-foot-tall twin towers that reach skyward have the look of, as Rick Carrol of UPI wrote in December that year, “a twin-hulled spacecraft ready to launch.” At the time of its construction, the hotel was very much a leap into the future.

Henry J. Kaiser Hospital, built in 1958 to serve the local residents, was demolished to allow the hotelier’s vision to be inserted as the last piece in the waterfront jigsaw. The Prince Waikiki filled the last available land that butted up against those deep blue waters. 

Originally owned by Japanese billionaire hotelier Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Prince Waikiki maintained a Japanese fragrance in its demeanor. Tsutsumi, in 1990, was described by Forbes Magazine as the richest man in the world with a fortune of $15B. 

However, the Japanese hotel mogul insisted on minor details, such as the staff bowing to guests. The flamed limestone towers and pristine marble lobby present themselves with a certain dignity that one might consider an extension of this Japanese flavor. 

The view from the central lobby looks out onto the sharp blue horizon, peppered with the masts of vessels docked mere feet from the grand hotel entrance. The infinity pool offers a surreal beauty and the added encouragement of a swim-up bar. 

For the more affluent guest, the Lanai Suite offers an unparalleled Hawaiian resort experience. The harbour-facing view is supported by the neat, bright aesthetic of this luxury home-from-home. The private rooftop terrace offers stunning postcard-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean. 

The Prince Who Would Be A Statesman

The hotel takes its regal name from an esteemed and regal figure whose stature towers over the island. Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole is a celebrated figure locally for good reason.

The coup d’etat of January 17th, 1893, which overthrew the monarchy, was unsurprisingly a controversial affair. American businessmen, mainly sugar plantation owners, sought to avoid costly tariffs on their sugar.

In response, President Benjamin Harrison’s administration quietly encouraged the idea of taking over the Hawaiian Islands. 

Other contributing factors were Queen Lili’uokalani’s engagement in restoring voting rights to native Hawaiians. The American military’s also believed that Pearl Harbour would be a valuable asset to the United States.

Concealed in the guise of a business consortium known as the Commission of Safety, the combination of five Americans, one German, and one Scotsman, who were all non-native businessmen, rallied non-natives against the local authorities. All in all this armed movement would seize control and end the monarchies’ rule over the Islands. 

This window of opportunity allowed the US to pursue its annexation of Hawaii and serve the business interests of the US mainland, ultimately absorbing the Islands.

After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Prince Jonah joined the revolutionaries in an attempt to restore it. He failed and was arrested, charged with treason, and sent to prison. 

After being pardoned and with his wife by his side, he traveled extensively through Europe and Africa, even fighting for the British in the Boer War.

This enigmatic figure would then come full circle, returning home in 1901 to serve as the  Republican delegate to Congress for Hawaii until his death in 1922. 

Despite having departed this earth a century ago, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, it is said, may still make ghostly appearances in Waikiki. Where is more fitting that the Prince Waikiki Hotel? 

The Haunted Prince Waikiki

Since its inception, The Prince Waikiki has been the subject of spectral rumors and shocking sightings that continue today. The elegant hotel’s long-serving staff stopped in their tracks at the sight of bright orbs of light passing through rooms and hallways.

One employee, working late into the night, was left terrified. While walking the halls of the upper floors, a deathly chill fell over the area before a strange glow emanated from the nearby wall. 

A bright blue, almost incandescent orb of light emerged before being followed by several more.

This shocking orchestra of light hung motionless, suspended in the icy air, before disappearing with haste through the adjacent wall. Despite the initial shock of seeing the traveling orbs, many other staff have come to know and respect these unknown phenomena. In fact, many have now made peace of sorts with their appearance, judging them to mean no harm. 

The unnerving frequency with which this strange and otherworldly light show has presented itself means that some of the more seasoned maids simply pause to allow the passive illumination to move freely past before returning to the task at hand. 

Disembodied voices, speaking in their native tongue, have been heard in empty corridors, while the apparitions of long-dead guests have been known to linger near the pool as if unable to bring their vacation to an end. 

The Spirit of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole

One such spectral visitor is apparently the distinguished figure of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole. The rebellious, regal statesman of 19th century Hawaii is believed to enjoy conversing with guests in the elevator. 

Several guests have reported taking a ride with a well-dressed, polite Hawaiian man with a large mustache. The seemingly well-spoken, sophisticated, and intelligent man is never seen exiting the elevator. 

One guest noted the man was dressed in a period-tailored suit and hat before moving to exit the elevator. She expected the elegantly dressed gentleman to exit with her but was shocked to turn and see the elevator empty. The figure had vanished. 

Confused, the guest approached the concierge to enquire about the guest she had spoken to. As she approached the desk, she caught sight of an old black-and-white portrait hanging behind it. 

Within the gold frame was the image of the very man she had seen and talked with moments earlier. A plaque beneath read ‘Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, March 26th, 1871 to January 7th, 1922.’

Haunted Honolulu

The legendary beauty of the Hawaiian Islands is known the world over. Whether in search of relaxation or adventure, the island oasis of the Prince Waikiki Hotel offers guests a chance to step into steeped luxury and, perhaps for some, a dip into the unknown.  

It is rare to be greeted by royalty, but should you visit the hotel, keep your eyes peeled. You may be in the presence of a Prince. Say Aloha to Honolulu and its secrets on a Haunted Honolulu Ghost tour. 

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Sources:

• https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/12/01/The-last-hotel-in-Waikiki-is-a-Prince/6362660027600/
• https://www.princewaikiki.com/stay/amenities/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20Branded%20-%20US-SouthEast%2BBranded_PM&utm_term=prince%20waikiki&utm_content=engine%3Agoogle%7Ccampaignid%3A21378303839%7Cadid%3A702214651827%7Cgclicd%3ACj0KCQiAy8K8BhCZARIsAKJ8sfSCLyIIkfk1bM3inRk8REDKX2H77PuWU2V_xjAhzy16PNo3z1ZP_E8aAmL4EALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy8K8BhCZARIsAKJ8sfSCLyIIkfk1bM3inRk8REDKX2H77PuWU2V_xjAhzy16PNo3z1ZP_E8aAmL4EALw_wcB
• https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/kuhio/
• https://www.ksbe.edu/article/the-truth-behind-the-illegal-overthrow-of-the-hawaiian-kingdom
• https://www.hauntedrooms.com/hawaii/haunted-places/haunted-hotels