Disclaimer: The Polynesian Cultural Center comped 4-tickets for my family and I to experience the Haunted Lagoon.
When I was about 8-years old my Father said that he was taking us to a very popular haunted house in Pauoa Valley here on Oahu. It was the Halloween season, so we knew it was produced, however our childlike imaginations could not conjure our experience. We dropped my Mom off at my Nanny’s hula studio for evening classes and parked around the corner near Lusitania Street, Kanealii Avenue, and Pauoa Road. Do you know the area?
Anyways, excited we entered the doorway of the haunted house which during the off season is the garage of a quaint home just past the old feed store, but ironically near a graveyard. Holding hands, the five of us marched into the darkness one-by-one with my Father behind us. Within seconds, we wanted out! The light at the end of the tunnel seemed non-existent, but by the time we emerged into the Honolulu air, tears of fear streamed down our cheeks and we promised my Father that we were going to tell Mom…and Nanny!
In retrospect, this was one of the greatest memories of my childhood. A time when we felt as brave as warriors, and emerged crying children. An experience that had the five of us band together and comfort one another in our fears. But really it was a time where we could all laugh at ourselves.
So, when I received an invitation from the Polynesian Cultural Center to take my family on a canoe ride on their Haunted Lagoon — I immediately accepted. I reflected upon my memories of the haunted house in Pauoa Valley, and well, are these not the type of trouble-making moments parents wait for?
A few days before the spooky canoe ride, we read the story of Nalani more commonly known as the “Lady of La’ie”. She was born on the west side of Oahu who blossomed into a beautiful teenager. Nalani caught the eye of many men, however she fell in love with a visiting sailor. Against her family’s wishes, Nalani and the young sailor secretly married. Eventually though, her family found out and they beat the new groom. The sailor and his wife fled to the mountains above La’ie for refuge, however he was too badly beaten and died.
She planted a coconut tree to mark his grave near the river where she would sit and sob. Months later, a recluse, Nalani gave birth to a son. Her entire existence was for her son, until one day when she awoke he was missing. Nalani spent her days walking on the banks of the river, searching for her son, yearning for her husband. Until one day, she too disappeared.
Legend has it that the young sailor came back for his wife and son. The coconut tree that Nalani planted is on the grounds of what is now the Polynesian Cultural Center and sits between the Tongan and Rapa Nui villages. Its trunk is twisted and mangled, resembling the beaten sailor.
By the time we arrived in La’ie, the sun had set and we followed the path to the docked canoes. The children had expressed their anxiety, but were still wide-eyed and curious. We took the first row of the canoe and was steered into darkness.
I won’t give away too much, but I will share that I was exhausted at the end of the ride. Exhausted from protecting my family from the unexpected, yet perfectly placed scary surprises. But I was mostly exhausted from screaming my head off — I’m still trying to gain my voice back. Yes, I was authentically spooked enough to scream out loud and scoot away from the ghosts and ghouls — the production is that good. Will you scream?
My entire family highly recommends visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Haunted Lagoon which begins this Friday, October 2, 2009 and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. till October 31, 2009. PCC posted their prices for adults and children and local businesses are offering coupons.
Follow @polynesia on Twitter for updates, news, and discounts.
Oh, and before we left the lagoon, I turned back and was able to capture this picture of the Lady of La’ie.
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Yes, grew up in Pauoa so visiting the place was an annual affair. It was called Yarnell's House of Horrors at a home on the corner of Pauoa Road and Kaia Street. The lines going in were always loooong, and conveniently located across from the cemetery! Ahh, great memories! The final year they built it at Booth Park up the street! It was twice as big at that point and I'm not sure what happened after that.Like you, I may check out the Haunted Lagoon just to relive my youth and introduce the youngins' to pure fright.
Thank you so much for this story!! I was just talking about this with my coworkers. But in regards to the Pauoa house, It was called the “Yarnell’s House of Horror’s”. My parents are Robert and Nora Yarnell and they LOVED putting it on for the community. They worked hard all year long working on costumes and fund raising for the event. There were a lot of selfless volunteers that helped along the way. There was no admission fee…it was free for everyone, so that all the kids could enjoy it. My dad, at the time was an HPD sergeant and saw this as a way to keep the kids out of trouble and to keep them safe as well. Most of the volunteers were off-duty police officers as well. I was only a young kid at the time, but I have very fond memories of the “year” long event for my family. Our last haunted house event was actually held at the old Pohukaina Elementary school in Kakaako…across from Fisher Hawaii. That year was the first and only year that my parents charged an admission fee and it was because the proceeds went to helping build the “Bobby Benson Center” on the North Shore. But still, admission was only $3. That haunted house in 1988 was by far their biggest and best. It took about 25 to 30 minutes to walk through, depending on how scared and slow your group was! It was awesome!!! My parents have since both retired and due to my dad’s health, they both decided to retire on the haunted house as well. They miss it and even though my dad is now in a wheel chair, he still dresses up and scares the kids coming up to the house for candy. I do miss those days…since the haunted house craze has returned…maybe the “Yarnell’s House of Horror’s” shall as well….hmmmm. Aloha and have a safe halloween!