Waimea Falls
Posted: 11.01.2024 | Updated: 11.01.2024
Hawaiian culture has a long history with otherworldly entities. There are the feared night marchers: a procession of warrior souls who roam the lands. Then there are the more gentle entities, like pohaku aumakua, the guardian spirit rocks.
On the island of Oahu, Waimea Valley is an especially potent area for spectral activity. The spirits of children are said to reside among the trees and are even known to touch hikers or tourists exploring the valley, perhaps wanting to play.
As one ventures farther into the valley, you eventually come upon Waimea Falls, a breathtaking, 45-foot-tall waterfall. While beautiful, tragedy has often been found at the bottom of these falls — and some spirits still linger near their watery graves.
Who Are the Shadow Divers of Waimea Falls?
The apparitions that haunt Waimea Falls are the unlucky souls who tried their hand at cliff jumping. Once a common site for jumping into the water below, Waimea Falls has claimed an unknown number of lives over the centuries. Today, those who visit the waterfall can sometimes still see the faint outlines of ghostly divers jumping into the pool below with a non-existent splash.
These shadow divers are but a few of the spirits who dwell on Oahu. Many more can be found in the main city on the island, Honolulu. From a cemetery full of disturbed spirits to a royal spirit who refuses to leave her palace, haunted entities seem to be around every corner. If you want to see these sites for yourself, book a ghost tour with Honolulu Haunts today.
The Sacrificial History of Waimea Falls
Waimea Falls has long been considered sacred by local Hawaiians. Legend goes that a water spirit lives at the bottom of the 30-foot pool. This is not just a regular spirit either, but a mo’o — a giant lizard.
In the past, the locals believed that in order to keep the water spirit satisfied, they needed to make regular sacrifices. These sacrifices would sometimes come in the form of outsiders.
The Ill-Fated Daedalus Sailors
In 1792, Captain Richard Hergest was returning to Oahu on his ship, the Daedalus, after having had a pleasant visit the year before. Yet, rather than open arms, Hergest and his crew arrived to spears and knives.
Hergest and one of his sailors were captured by a tribe and were never seen again. It’s believed the two men may have been offered to the mo’o of Waimea Falls.
The Remaining Spirits of Waimea Falls
While human sacrifices haven’t been carried out at Waimea Falls for centuries, it’s said that the mo’o is still in need of souls. So, now, she takes them herself: in the form of cliff divers.
Cliff jumping has long been a common pastime at Waimea Falls. Men, women, and children would plunge into the refreshing waters below the rapid falls. This continued through World War II when sailors looking to blow off some steam would dive off the jagged rocks into the pool.
Ironically, several of these sailors drowned in the small pool. Did they hit their heads on the rocks? Were they unable to reach the surface after diving too deeply? Or did the giant lizard claim their spirits for herself?
A One-of-a-Kind Ghostly Diving Show
After it became apparent just how dangerous cliff jumping at Waimea Falls was, park officials banned ordinary people from diving off the waterfall. They did, however, still allow professional divers to jump.
These pro divers would put on shows for impressed onlookers, who would whoop and holler at their intricate dives into the clear water below.
But rumor spread that these divers weren’t alone. People started spotting the faint shadows of additional divers throughout these shows. One person took a photo of divers mid-air. Two men in swimsuits are outstretched, with their arms out beside them. Then, another blurry body seems to be next to them, in a curled position.
The problem was that only two divers had jumped.
Many point to this photo as proof of the shadow divers of Waimea Falls, who continue to jump and dive to their heart’s content from the other side.
A Chilling Warning to All
While Waimea Falls may seem like the epitome of tropical paradise, this isn’t always the case. During the dry season, the water levels can drop quite low. When this happens, usually hidden parts of the cliff are exposed.
On a clear day, the shapes of these rock formations, along with their reflections on the water, form the outline of a skeleton. Many believe this is the water spirit’s warning for those who want to dive into her watery sanctuary.
The Mystery of the Bodies Claimed by Waimea Falls
While you can no longer cliff dive from the rocks surrounding Waimea Falls, visitors are still allowed to swim in the pool below. Because of this, there are still deaths that can occur at the site to this day.
However, whether from swimming or cliff jumping, there is a strange coincidence that occurs with those who lose their lives at Waimea Falls: their bodies often aren’t found for several days.
The pool below Waimea Falls is quite small, so why is it so hard for rescuers to find the victim’s body? Mysterious powers seem to be at work when it comes to the victims of Waimea Falls.
Haunted Honolulu
If you didn’t spot any shadow divers at Waimea Falls but are still interested in seeing the more macabre side of Hawaii, head to Honolulu. When you book a tour with Honolulu Haunts, you’ll have the opportunity to see spirits throughout the city, from the ghosts who haunt the Hawaii State Capitol to the apparitions around the Kawaiaha’o Church, which houses the state’s oldest historic cemetery.
If you want a unique Hawaiian experience, and a break from the sun and heat, be sure to book a ghost tour with Honolulu Haunts today! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Hawaii hauntings.
Sources:
https://www.mysteries-of-hawaii.com/hawaiis-most-haunted/night-marchers
https://www.hawaii-guide.com/oahu/hiking-trails/waimea-falls
https://southwesternghostsandhauntings.blogspot.com/2013/10/shadow-divers-of-waimea-falls-north.html
Book A Honolulu Haunts Tour And See For Yourself
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