The Haunted Legacy of Aliʻiōlani Hale: Hawaii’s Supreme Court and Its Restless Spirits

Is something haunting the supreme court building in Honolulu, Hawaii? There are many legends told about the Aliʻiōlani Hale building, ranging from the spirits of the prisoners prosecuted there, to mysterious legend tied to the Banyan Tree in the courtyard.

Aliʻiōlani Hale, a grand and historic building in downtown Honolulu that houses the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court. While today it serves as a seat of justice, its past holds darker, more mysterious tales—stories of restless spirits, lost souls, and eerie phenomena that have kept it firmly rooted in local legend.

The Storied Past of Aliʻiōlani Hale

Aliʻiōlani Hale was constructed in 1874 under the reign of King Kamehameha V. Originally intended to be the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi’s royal palace, it instead became the seat of government for the Hawaiian monarchy, later serving the Republic of Hawaiʻi and eventually the state.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

As the home of the Supreme Court, it has long been a place where life-altering decisions were made, some of which led to the imprisonment or execution of individuals. These criminals, sentenced in the early 1900s, are said to linger on the grounds, their souls trapped within the halls where their fates were sealed.

The Lost Souls of Sentenced Criminals

Visitors and staff have reported strange occurrences inside Aliʻiōlani Hale and the building is now believed to be haunted. Many claim to feel an overwhelming sense of dread, particularly near the old courtrooms. Some believe that the souls of those who were convicted of heinous crimes and later executed in the early 1900s still roam the corridors, unable to find peace. Echoes of footsteps, disembodied voices, and shadowy figures have been spotted, especially at night

The Haunted Banyan Trees

Outside the building, towering over the courtyard, stand several massive banyan trees, their ancient roots creeping deep into the earth. These trees, often referred to as “trees of the dead” in various cultures, are believed to have spiritual connections to the underworld. The banyan trees surrounding Aliʻiōlani Hale are thought to have roots that stretch into subterranean lava tubes—lava tubes that, according to local lore, may be filled with the bones of long-dead Hawaiian royalty, or ali‘i.

One legend told about the banyan trees is hearing what sounds like faint cries coming from the trees, as though children are sobbing just beneath the surface. This unsettling phenomenon is linked to an old rumor that an orphanage once stood on the grounds before Aliʻiōlani Hale was built in the 1800s.

Some are speculating that some of the children who died were buried in unmarked graves where they later planted the trees.

Although no solid historical evidence confirms the presence of an orphanage, the legend persists. The cries of unseen children and occasional bursts of eerie laughter beneath the trees have been reported by both visitors and night-time security guards alike. These spectral sounds add to the eerie atmosphere, blending fact and myth into an unforgettable experience.

A Place Where Spirits Linger

Whether it’s the lost souls of criminals sentenced long ago, or the playful yet sorrowful spirits of children who may have once called the land home, Aliʻiōlani Hale is undeniably a place where the past refuses to rest. The imposing banyan trees, with their tangled roots and dark histories, stand as sentinels over the building, connecting the living world to the spiritual one. For those with an eye for the paranormal, the courthouse is more than a hub for legal proceedings—it’s a place where Hawaii’s history, both tragic and haunted, comes to life.

Aliʻiōlani Hale is a testament to the deep and mysterious connections between Hawaii’s past and the present. Its haunted legacy serves as a reminder that, while justice may be blind, the spirits of the past continue to watch, whisper, and linger in the shadows.

Newest Posts

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Haunted Legacy of Aliʻiōlani Hale: Hawaii’s Supreme Court and Its Restless Spirits8. April 2025
Is something haunting the supreme court building in Honolulu, Hawaii? There are many legends told about the Aliʻiōlani Hale building, ranging from the spirits of the prisoners prosecuted there, to mysterious legend tied to the Banyan Tree in the courtyard.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Haunted Ford Island: Echoes of Pearl Harbor7. April 2025
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is said that the ghosts of the dead are still haunting Ford Island. Could it be that the ghosts of war is still haunting the deep blue water?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Teke Teke: The Terrifying Urban Legend of Kashima Reiko4. April 2025
The urban legends of Teke Teke and Kashima Reiko are often so similar, they are thought to have merged or started together. Both of them warn about a vengeful spirit without legs, crawling her way to her victims.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Grand Canyon National Park’s Most Haunted Places and Ghost Stories3. April 2025
Grand Canyon National Park is a majestic sight and many legends and stories are told to try to explain the peculiar feeling the place gives off. In addition to old Native American legends, there are also more recent ghost stories that seem to haunt the Canyon.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Cheuksin (厠神): South Korea’s Vengeful Toilet Goddess2. April 2025
One of the most evil house deities in Korean Folklore is the spirit said to haunt the toilets. If you don’t enter respectfully, Cheuksin will wrap her long hair around your neck and strangle you to death when you are at your most vulnerable, at the toilet.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Haunted History of the Atlas Insurance Building in Honolulu1. April 2025
What is haunting this seemingly peaceful office building in Honolulu? There are actually many ghostly legends of it with one of the most telling claiming there is a grieving woman weeping and wandering the halls of the building.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
China’s Mystical Writing: Fu Ji (扶乩) – When Spirits Pick Up the Pen31. March 2025
Since ancient times, Fu Ji was a way of communicating with spirits in China. Not only to get in contact with your dearly departed, but also to get medical advice and spiritual guidance from the other side.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Soiled Dove Haunting the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway28. March 2025
A former prostitute by the name Lydia is said to haunt her brothel, The Red Onion Saloon in Skagway, Alaska. The bar, still catering to its heyday as a pleasure… Read more: The Soiled Dove Haunting the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Haunting Legacy of the Salem Witch Trials: Gallows Hill and Old Burying Point27. March 2025
Most people know about the Salem witch trials and the horror of the hunt. No wonder that haunted rumors about the place have formed in the aftermath of the trials and death.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Haunting Mystery of Boot Hill Cemetery Ghost25. March 2025
In 1996 a picture was taken in Boot Hill Cemetery allegedly showing a ghost in the background. But what was the truth behind this wild west mystery?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Most Haunted Places on Mackinac Island in Michigan24. March 2025
Mackinac Island is often listed as one of the most haunted islands in America, if not the most haunted city overall. Here is a list of some of the more famous ghost stories from the vacation island.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island21. March 2025
On the summer vacation Mackinac Island, there are plenty of dark and haunted stories. At the Inn at Stonecliffe, there are rumors that the ghost of a little girl just wants to go home.