The Spirits of the Iao Theater

Posted: 02.20.2025 | Updated: 02.20.2025

Enter any historic theater that has entertained audiences for decades, and you are sure to feel the presence of performers from the past and present who have graced the stage. These old buildings dedicated to the arts tend to attract all types of otherworldly activity, both good and bad. And one of the most haunting theaters from the 20^th century is Hawaii’s Iao Theater.

If you want to learn all about the most haunted spots in Hawaii, schedule your tour with us at Honolulu Haunts today! It is an experience that no ghost enthusiast can afford to miss!

Who Haunts the Iao Theater?

The state of Hawaii has many tales of spiritual activity. The Iao Valley in Maui has been known for generations to be a place where the veil between the living and dead is very thin. Local lore tells of shadows talking back to you, known as the Night Marchers, who were special warriors that roamed the valley at night.

With legends like the Night Marchers, it is easy to see why conversations about ghostly lore are so common among the locals. But the historic Iao Theater is one place in town that is so haunted it has gained the curiosity of ghost seekers from all over the world.

Multiple encounters with spirits have taken place inside this theater; however, the most prominent is believed to be the ghost of an actress from the 1920s who demands for her voice to be heard.

The History of the Iao Theater

The historic Iao Theater in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, opened its doors on August 22, 1928. Initially, it was a silent movie and vaudeville house dedicated to meeting the entertainment and amusement needs of the people of Wailuku. 

The owners strived to make it unlike anything else available in the community. The construction of this Spanish Mission-style theater cost $40,000 at the time. And some of the original tile flooring is still inside the lobby today.

The theater had a laid-back and comfortable atmosphere with a venue originally accommodating up to 702 attendants, but after renovations, it now only has the capacity for 413 guests. 

There have been several memorable events held there over the years, including USO shows during WWII hosted by Bob Hope and featuring performers including Frank Sinatra and Betty Hutton. The theater also hosted the premiere of the Oscar-winning film From Here to Eternity, starring Sinatra and Ava Gardner.

Merging with the Maui Community Theater

During the same time period, the nearby Maui Community Theater was also a popular source of entertainment, hosting shows well into the 1970s for productions such as Auntie Mame, Dark of the Moon, and The Matchmaker. During the 1960s and 70s, the Iao Theater lost a lot of business and eventually closed its doors during the late 70s.

Several years later, in 1983, a Maui resident named William Matthews rented the desolate theater, and along with his girlfriend, Sharon Bonner, and several friends, he began a renovation project using his own money to save the historic venue. William and Sharon reopened the Iao Theater and hosted live music shows and movie showings.

The following year, when the Maui Community Theater was looking for a new home following a tragic fire at their former location at the Old Kahulu Fairgrounds, their board of trustees convinced the mayor of Maui County to let them move into the Iao Theater. Two months later, they put on their first production. 

However, even with the renovation efforts of Matthews and his crew, the physical condition of the theater was still in dire need of repairs. In 1993, Maui County purchased the theater and an acre of land on the site for $882,000. Major renovations started again in 1994 for what is now known as Maui OnStage at the Iao Theater.

The Haunting of the Iao Theater

Those who have visited the historic theater in recent years say that it is an iconic location to visit with a lot of history and a variety of good entertainment to enjoy, showcasing an assortment of local talent. 

The theater is considered a great part of Maui’s history and culture. However, for the locals, it is also considered to be one of the greatest places of spiritual energy and hauntings in the area.

Based on accounts from the theater’s staff members, actors who have worked there, and visitors, there are several ghosts who haunt the eerie old theater; one, in particular, is the spirit of a beautiful young actress who goes by the name of Emma.

Emma: The Ghost of a 1920s Actress

Step into the Iao Theater after it has emptied for the night, and you may see a misty, luminescent ghost sitting in the audience as if they are waiting for the show to start. Witnesses claim they have seen this female apparition often, dressed in 1920s flapper attire.

But the spirit doesn’t just show up in the middle of the night. The ghost will often let her presence be known to the audience and cast members during some of her favorite performances, such as the theater’s productions of Cabaret or Chicago.

The ghost is affectionately known as Emma. She was given the name one night in 1992. During a production at the theater, the crew noticed someone was messing with the lights, and many of them felt there was a strong presence in the air, a feeling as if someone was very irritated with them.

The cast and crew began to speak to the entity, and collectively they determined that the spirit’s annoyed behavior was due to no one addressing her in a personal manner. The crew began shouting out different names, and when one of them said the name “Emma,” there was an immediate cool breeze in the air. 

Since then, the ghost has been referred to as Emma; however, no one knows if there was ever a woman by that name who worked at the theater or how she died. However, there were some clues hinting at Emma’s true identity that were buried deep outside during the early years of the theater’s operations.

The Hidden Time Capsule

The grandson of a man who once worked at the Iao Theater let staff members know that his grandfather buried a time capsule on the grounds of the theater. The staff uncovered the capsule, and the contents inside included an 80-year-old piece of 16mm celluloid film, two postcards with photos of the Maui pineapple fields, and a sterling silver hair barrette. 

There was also a black-and-white photograph of a young woman dressed in white 1920s attire. Locals and staff at the theater are all convinced the photo is of Emma, which is why her spirit has remained at the theater all this time, in addition to her not wanting to leave behind her never-ending love for the arts.  

Spirits of Hawaiian Soldiers

The basement of the theater is another place where ghostly activity has occurred. It is believed that the ghosts of several Hawaiian soldiers who died during battles taking place centuries ago in Iao Valley reside there. 

Witnesses have mentioned feeling cold spots in the basement, seeing shadowy figures in dark corners, and hearing voices calling out to them. These ghosts could be part of the Night Marchers, who are often heard and seen in the Iao Valley.

Ghostly Encounters at the Iao Theater

The Iao Theater is easily one of the most haunted spots across the Hawaiian Islands. There have been several reports of lights flickering on and off, disembodied voices, and boards malfunctioning for no apparent reason.

A blogger once spent the night at the theater in hopes of seeing some ghostly activity to share with her readers. She witnessed what she described as mist-like drifting images, odd activity from the lighting, and mysterious shadows in all areas of the building. She could hear voices and footsteps moving about, even though she knew the theater was empty.

In 2009, a ghost enthusiast visiting the theater remarked that the spirit of Emma was one of the most demanding spirits he had ever come in contact with. He referred to her as a benevolent spirit.

This could be in reference to the story about a set designer who received a message from Emma that the roof of the theater needed to be fixed immediately. Unfortunately, Emma’s words of caution were ignored, and the following morning a large section of the roof had crashed down onto the sidewalk.

Hauntings Behind the Scenes

The women’s dressing room is considered one of the top places for ghostly activity. There have been several encounters there, especially with actresses performing in plays. Many actresses who have worked at the theater multiple times do not want to enter the dressing rooms alone. 

While the ghost of Emma is said to have a friendly demeanor, the spirit haunting the dressing room is believed to be a different entity and one that is not as friendly as the 1920s flapper. One actress mentioned her pulse would quicken every time she entered the room. She would instantly experience a strange feeling on the back of her neck, letting her know that she was not alone.

Although there are no records of any nefarious activity or accidental deaths at the theater, there are many who feel like the theater is a site of unfinished business. This could be thanks in part to the time capsule on the premises.

Haunted Honolulu

Even the skeptics in town will agree that the Iao Theater is an eerie place to be after dark. Once all the staff members and visitors leave the building for the night, the lights go down, and the large space is covered in a blanket of darkness, it is easy for one to become aware of every cold draft, creak, and shadow lurking in the corners.

Are you ready for more chilling tales of Honolulu’s most haunting locations? Book your tour today with Honolulu Haunts.  And if you would like to learn more about other scary places throughout the U.S., you can keep up with us on our blog for the latest updates or follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for more spine-tingling stories.

Sources:

• https://www.mauionstage.com/history/
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60639-d1441343-Reviews-The_Historic_IAO_Theater-Wailuku_Maui_Hawaii.html
•  https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/hawaii/haunted-iao-theater-hi
• https://mauinow.com/2012/08/21/mauis-iao-theater-stars-syfy-channel-ghost-story-episode/
• https://www.mauimagazine.net/stage-fright/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS-FLAoWQWY