The Scariest Haunted Houses to Visit This Halloween in O‘ahu

Creepy clowns, super-realistic zombie makeup and a village haunted by real spirits.

October 19, 2018

Katrina Valcourt,

Jorge Garcia’s CarnEVIL of SCreams

Photo: Skeleton Key Hawai‘i

We spent days searching for haunted houses in Hawai‘i, but the folks behind Nightmares Live, Scream 808, Haunted Lagoon and more popular productions just aren’t getting in the spooky spirit this year. We blame it on Halloween being smack-dab in the middle of the week. But don’t worry—the two we did find will scare the pants off of you.

Skeleton Key Hawai‘i Presents Jorge Garcia’s CarnEVIL of SCreams

Photo: Skeleton Key Hawai‘i

If you saw our video walking through Jorge Garcia’s crypt-themed haunted house last year, you know it was a real scream. The Hawai‘i Five-0 actor has paired up with Skeleton Key Hawai‘i again this year to bring to life an even scarier theme (if you’re like me and can’t handle clowns)—a carnival of the damned. Step right up to the former Romero Bros. Carnival of Dreams, now the CarnEVIL of SCreams, haunted by performers past and, of course, killer clowns. Proceeds benefit Kailua Onstage Arts Theatre. Not sure you can handle it? Bring your keiki on Oct. 21 and 28 (4 to 7 p.m.), when the fear factor is toned down (read: no jump scares) and actors will hand out candy to the kids.

171A Hāmākua Drive, Kailua, Fridays and Saturdays starting Oct. 12, daily Oct. 25 to 31, 7 to 10 p.m., $15, $20 fast pass to skip the main line, skeletonkeyhawaii.com

Haunted Plantation

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

This year is lucky No. 13 for Haunted Plantation, held at Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village in Waipahu—a purportedly haunted spot. The plantation homes transform into creepy dwellings for dozens of frightening beings, ready to jump out of nooks and crannies when you get a little too close. The experience is so popular that Haunted Plantation is now open on Sundays in addition to Fridays and Saturdays. (But make sure you still arrive early—you may get turned away if you’re still in line at closing time.) Try not to make eye contact with the girl hanging from the ceiling as you run screaming from the chainsaw-wielding maniacs chasing you all the way to the parking lot. Stay tuned to read about (and watch!) HONOLULU’s experience walking through it this year.

Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village, 94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu, Friday through Sunday starting Oct. 12, plus Oct. 31, 7 to 11 p.m., $15, $20 fast pass, hawaiihauntedplantation.com