Shadow Divers of Waimea Falls - North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

In the spectacular Waimea Valley on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, there is a trail that takes you deep into the Waimea Valley where there is a water fall and a beautiful pool of water.  Water that has held a mystic over the ages and has claimed many lives.

Deep in the pool of Waimea Falls, is believed to be a temple that is home of a akua that claims the lives of divers as a sacrifice.

Natives to the area have believed this island to be sacred for hundreds of years.  Ceremonies were held there to appease the god or akua, believed to live at the very bottom of the pool in a hidden temple.  It said that every so often the akua gets restless and is in need of a sacrifice.  So the akua takes the life of a diver who jumps into the waters from the cliffs. In most cases, the body is not recovered at the time the ill fated diver disappears into the water.  The days later, the akua will release the body of the victim and it will rise to the surface of the water.  This pattern has been repeated over centuries.

The ominous history of the valley deepened in the Spring of 1792 when Captain Richard Hergest anchored his ship Daedalus in the Waimea Bay.  Having visited the area over a decade previously, he had a wonderful experience and warm welcome by the Waimea Valley's inhabitants.  However, this time his welcome was not so warm.  He and another sailor who made the shore landing where captured by fierce native warriors, while another escaped back to the ship.  It is believed that Captain Hergest and the other crew member were sacrificed to the akua at the Waimea Falls.

Around the end of the 19th century, the Waimea Valley fell out of native Hawaiian hands and exchanged hands several times, becoming a commercial attraction. When World War II broke out, the area was taken over by the military and an outpost established there.  The deaths of divers continued at the falls, oddly enough, mainly the victims were non-natives and coincidentally, sailors. At some point, diving was prohibited from the rock cliffs at Waimea Falls.  Only professional, experienced divers were allowed to dive and a park was established where the divers would do shows for visitors to the falls.  It was during one of these shows that a visitor snapped a photograph of two divers jumping simultaneously from the rock face.  However, in the photograph, there were distinctly shadows from three divers.  Two in a tuck position which were the show divers, and a third diver clearly shown in full body extension.  There was no third diver!  Many believe that visitor captured a shadow diver or spirit from one of those who lost their life to Waimea Falls.

Professional divers make the plunge into the pool at Waimea Falls which is thought to be haunted by a akua spirit.  Photo credit: Sandcastle VI

When the water is low at the falls during the dry season, it is said that the outline of a skeleton can be seen which is formed from the shapes on the cliff face combined with their reflection in the water. Perhaps a warning by the akua to stay away from the pool. At one point in the park's history, it was turned into an adventure park that offered ATV trail rides, etc.  Another death at the Waimea Falls brought on the banning of diving at the pool altogether.

Today, the Waimea Falls Park is a botanical garden and bird sanctuary which shows off some of the archaeological history of the Waimea Valley.  Events such as weddings are held there as well.  The valley is owned by Hawaiians again, with respect to the nature of this sacred place restored.

Location: Waimea Valley Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712 
(located across from Waimea Bay)
http://www.waimeavalley.net/

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References: 
http://www.waimeavalley.net/
http://www.discover-oahu.com/waimea-falls-park.html
http://www.tprconline.com/index.php?topic=34294.0;wap2
http://www.squidoo.com/haunted-hawaii

Dark Phantoms of Robb Canyon - Reno, Nevada

About 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe, just west of Reno, Nevada the is a small canyon that runs to the north and south called Robb Canyon.  A serene, beautiful valley that was a haven to get away to.  That all changed in the early 70's when someone exploring the canyon made a gruesome discovery.

The remains of four murdered transients were discovered in Robb Canyon in Reno, Nevada decades ago and they still are believed to haunt the canyon to this day.  Image courtesy of lobster20 FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A hiker exploring Robb Canyon discovered what was thought to be human remains partially sticking out of the dry desert soil.  When the police arrived, the unearthed the body of a woman and three men that appeared to be transients or homeless.

Robb Canyon part of Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada thought to be the haunting grounds for four murdered transients

It is thought that the spirits of these souls lost in this desert canyon have not gone.  Over the years since the discovery many claim to hear strange blood curdling screams coming from Robb Canyon.  Many exploring the canyon have seen what are known as shadow people.  Dark human like figures that are not people, but some sort of dark phantoms from the after world.  

Many exploring the canyon at night, never make it very far as they are overcome by a feeling of dread and fear.   They end up leaving not long after darkness falls.  There have been reports by some who claim that they have been held down by some unseen force.

An aerial view of Robb Canyon and Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada

Robb Canyon is now part of Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada and is considered one of the most haunted places in the Western United States.

American Ghosts and Hauntings Index by Region 

Lake Tahoe - North Shore on Dwellable

 

 

Phantom Night Marchers of Hawaii

On the big island of Hawaii on the north side there is an area known as the Waipio Valley near the Kohala area, where a band of phantom natives march at night between dusk and two in the morning known to the local natives as ka huakai o ka po.  Sounds of chanting in ancient Hawaiian and drum beats of the marchers have been heard in the jungle and lines of torches have been seen descending the mountain, but no body has seen them up close and personal or at least have lived to tell the tale.  Only shadowy figures from an distance have been seen dancing in flames, usually in places where major battles have taken place in the past.  Others have described them as torch lit mist or haze.

The Waipio Valley on the island of Hawaii where there have been sightings of Phantom Night Marchers

It is said that if you are of Hawaiian descent and the marchers come across you in the night and you look at them, you will perish if you do not pay respect.  Removing clothing, Laying on the ground and urinating on yourself is the only way to prevent you from dying.  Looking and smelling like an animal wards off the phantom marchers from taking you.