When people move on and industry crumbles, the remains are often abandoned amid the landscape — and the Hawaiian Islands are no exception. Even on the highly populated island of Oahu, abandoned places are common — if you know where to look, that is. From abandoned highways and royal residences to sugar mills and telegraph stations, there is something strangely beautiful about man-made structures being taken back by the land. That’s why we created this Oahu road trip to eight of the most famous abandoned places in Oahu — clocking in at just under three hours and 84 miles from the picturesque north shore to Ewa. Gas up the car and get ready for a spooky adventure! 

Screenshot/Google Maps
1. Outdoor Theatre, Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley, Haleiwa, HI, USA
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Located somewhere in Waimea Valley is this abandoned outdoor theatre, outfitted with wooden benches that are slowly rotting away, and in a picturesque forest. If only you could still visit this beautiful amphitheater to take in a low-key production in a beautiful setting.
2. Waialee Home For Wayward Boys
Eugene Kim/Flickr
Located on Oahu's north shore, just blocks away from some of the island's most famous beaches, the Waialee Home for Wayward Boys was in operation from 1906 to 1947. Its residents were sent there for everything from truancy and disobedience to larceny and assault, and the extensive complex could house more than 100 boys. The building pictured was the boy's dormitory, which was later part of the Crawford Convalescent Home and was partially burned in 2002.
3. Marconi Wireless Center
Jonathan Haeber/Flickr
This abandoned building that sits on Makai Ranch was part of the Marconi Wireless Station in World War I, used for communication with other Hawaiian Islands and the Americas. In World War II, the site was used as an airbase, and now sits abandoned.

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4. Kualoa Sugar Mill
Nathanael Coyne/Flickr
During the height of agriculture on the Hawaiian Islands, sugar mills were common, and many have since fallen into disrepair. One such mill is the Kualoa Sugar Mill, which sits 2.5 miles south of Kaawa. This abandoned sugar refinery on Oahu was opened in the mid-1860s and found little success, closing its doors just thirty years later — perhaps in part due to the fact that, shortly after the mill opened, a young boy fell into a vat of boiling sugar and died due to the severe burns a few days later — or at least that's the rumor.

Check out drone footage of the mill from Sheldon Comer on YouTube :

5. Old Pali Road
Brian Sterling/Flickr
Once a bustling highway on the island of Oahu connecting Honolulu to the island’s windward coast, Pali Road is not only said to be haunted but has since been replaced. Portions of the road still exist and are easily accessible on foot from the Pali Lookout. Though the trail is technically restricted, it has become a popular hiking destination.
6. Kaniakapupu Ruins
Chad Miyashiro/Flickr
More commonly known as King Kamehameha III’s summer home, the Kaniakapupu Ruins date back to 1847 and were only used for a few decades before being abandoned and reclaimed by nature. The grass roof is long gone, and all that remains are a few walls, the main entrance, a few windows — and lots of crumbling stone. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to visit the ruins, but the last time I embarked on the Lulumahu Falls trail, I accidentally made my way here with a wrong turn through the forest.
7. Lyon Arboretum Seismograph Station
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Found near the Manoa Falls Trailhead is the Lyon Arboretum Trail, which will take you on a journey through native Hawaiian flora to a beautiful waterfall. Before you reach the falls on the main trail, you will come across an old, rundown, concrete building that was once used as a seismograph station, and is rumored to be haunted.
8. Abandoned Train, Hawaiian Railway Society
Davidd/Flickr
Found at the Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa Beach is this seemingly abandoned train car, slowly withering away in the elements. While I can't track down much information about this place, it is fascinating to see how far transportation has come since the railroad was in its heyday.

Have you ever been to any of these abandoned places in Hawaii? What did you think? Were they scary at all? We’d love it if you shared your experiences and opinions with us in the comments below. Then, if you enjoy reading about all things spooky, discover these 13 Horribly Creepy Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do In Hawaii.

Looking for more great Oahu road trips? Pack up your car and check out this ultimate road trip which many people seem to enjoy, as well as this incredible waterfalls road trip, or this terrifying road trip to the island’s most haunted places. Want more? Then how about checking out Keomoku, one of the forgotten ghost towns in Hawaii?

If you’ve never been to Oahu before (or even if you have), check out this awesome video sharing 21 things to do on this amazing island:

 

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More to Explore

Creepy Places In Hawaii

Megan Shute | May 26, 2020

What are some of the most fascinating abandoned spots in Hawaii?

Despite its small size, the Hawaiian Islands are home to some mighty unique abandoned spots. While there are many spots in abandoned Hawaii we would consider to be extremely remote - like the abandoned airstrip on Tern Atoll - there are others that are found in highly populated areas of the islands - like the abandoned zoo in Manoa Valley or the entire neighborhood on Hickam Air Force Base that was abandoned mysteriously.

What are Hawaii's most haunted spots? 

From a high school haunted by a crying girl to roads, hotels, and buildings with some supernatural residents, the Aloha State is home to various ghosts that have decided to make the islands their permanent home in the afterlife, but nowhere is considered more haunted than the notoriously spooky Kaimuki House, where a man-eating ghost from Japanese folklore is said to live. The haunting has been well-documented over the years and is quite the tale.

What are the creepiest places in Hawaii? 

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it's hard to deny the spooky energy felt at various historic sites across the islands of Hawaii — like Mo’okini Luakini Heiau, which was one of the first temples to be built on the island and has an evil history rife with human sacrifice. If you're looking for the most unique Halloween attraction in Hawaii, you'll want to check out Hawaii Plantation Village, which is not only the site for one of Oahu's most popular October destinations but is rumored to be legitimately haunted.

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