A Ghostly Legacy

Kapanui is about to lead them on a four-and-a-half-hour journey through some of O'ahu's most haunted sites. Most of the spectators who signed up for the Ghosthunters Bus Tour will hear chicken-skin tales-some familiar, others brand-new-at the places where they supposedly happened. There are the spirits of children who hide in trees at the Mänoa Chinese Cemetery, the faceless woman who inhabits Kähala Mall and the man who hung himself at Morgan's Corner.

Grant-a local historian and author of Obake books-started these "Chicken Skin" ghost tours in 1974.

"Glen was just so talented, so brilliant, and he used all he had," says Jill Staas, Grant's former business partner. "He could write, he could tell a story, he was mesmerizing and he was open and giving with all of his talents."

When Grant died last year, Hawai'i lost one of its greatest storytellers. But it didn't lose the precious tales he had collected over the years. His stories live on through Kapanui, who Grant hired in 1997 to lead the bus tour.

"One day, Jill and I were sitting in his office, looking around and really missing him," Kapanui says. "Finally, Jill says, 'Well, Lopaka, it's all on you now. You gotta carry on and do all of Glen's tours.' I said, 'I can't do Glen's tours. The shoes are too big to fill.' She said, 'If you don't do them, then who will?'"

Kapanui conceded, but he took it slow, at first. For about a year, he continued hosting the Ghosthunters Bus Tour. In August, he resurrected Grant's monthly "Mysteries of Mö'ili'ili" walking tour and plans to add more tours within the next few months.

While Kapanui shares his mentor's uncanny timing in telling stories, their styles differ. Kapanui incorporates his Hawaiian cultural beliefs into the tours, offering chants or prayers at most sites along the way.

"My style is to approach everything with respect and reverence," Kapanui says. "I make it a point to bring in the cultural aspect, as well as parapsychology and historical perspective."

These days, it's Kapanui who strangers approach with ghost stories. Like Grant, Kapanui doesn't mind. He even includes some of them in the tours.

"Glen always told me,

'The story's the thing,'" Kapanui says. "A lot of times, the story ends up telling itself. It's almost like I'm just a vehicle."

OCTOBER HEADS UP! Grab the broccoli and leave the cows alone. It’s World Vegetarian Day on Oct. 1. Make a toast with German beer. From Oct. 5 to 10, celebrate Oktoberfest at the Ala Moana Hotel during its Bavarian festival, with drinks and dancing. Call 955-4811 for more info. It’s Columbus Day on Oct. 11, a holiday for federal workers. If you don’t work for the federal government, cheer up! It’s Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day, too. National Boss’ Day will be celebrated on Oct. 15 this year, since Oct. 16 is a Saturday, which is also the Sweetest Day. Give back to your community on Oct. 23 in celebration of Make a Difference Day. For a listing of registered projects in your area, visit www.usaweekend.com/diffday. Halloween falls on Sunday this year, but don’t let that stop you from trick-or-treating until the witching hour. For those brave enough to fight the crowds, Waikïkï and Lahaina , Maui, are the places to go. Daylight Saving Time also ends on Oct. 31. October is also Lupus Awareness Month, Pastor Appreciation Month and National Pizza Month.