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HomeHorror StoriesThe Haunting of Bishop Museum: A Cautionary Story of Sacred Stones

The Haunting of Bishop Museum: A Cautionary Story of Sacred Stones


Wanting on the exhibitions within the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some declare that a number of the friends usually are not of the residing and that ghosts linger.

The Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a treasure trove of Hawaiian tradition and historical past, showcasing artifacts that inform the story of the islands and their individuals. Additionally known as the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, it’s positioned within the historic Kalihi district in Honolulu. 

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However among the many museum’s many reveals, there’s one which carries a darkish and unsettling story—a story that serves as a grim reminder of the traditional Hawaiian perception that sure issues are greatest left undisturbed.

Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger. Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger.

Historical past of the Bishop Museum

Earlier than changing into a museum, the Bishop Museum was a boys dorm of the Kamehameha College for native Hawaiian kids. After the philanthropist and businessman Charles Reed Bishop’s spouse died, he constructed the museum in her honor on the previous college floor. 

Charles Reed Bishop’s spouse was really the Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, born into the royal household and was the final authorized inheritor of the Kamehameha Dynasty who united the Hawaiian Islands and dominated till 1872. Bishop needed a spot to indicate off his late spouse’s household heirloom and tradition. 

Right this moment it’s the largest museum within the state and showcases the heritage his spouse belonged to. It additionally holds the biggest assortment of Polynesian artifacts, bugs and books on the planet. 

A Sacred Mistake of the Exhibit

In line with native superstition, a heiau—a sacred place of worship and human sacrifice—mustn’t ever be desecrated. The land and stones of those websites are thought-about sacred, and eradicating something from them is believed to convey extreme misfortune. Sadly, somebody on the Bishop Museum didn’t heed this warning.

Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger. Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger.
Bishop Museum: Within the Bishop Museum and the Hawaiian Corridor. // Daniel Ramirez/Wikimedia

Whereas designing an exhibit meant to duplicate a heiau as an alternative of putting an actual one there, a museum workers member took the daring and ill-fated step of eradicating lava stones from an precise heiau to make use of within the show. Maybe he didn’t consider the tales, maybe he didn’t know. The stones, imbued with the non secular vitality of the traditional web site, have been positioned within the museum exhibit, seemingly with out consequence—till the subsequent day.

A Mom’s Warning

That night time, the mom of one of many museum’s workers skilled a terrifying nightmare. In her dream, she noticed blood all over the place, and with a way of dread, she warned her son to not go to work the subsequent day. She instructed him that one thing horrible would occur if he did. However the younger man, needing the paycheck, dismissed his mom’s fears and went to work as standard.

Upon arriving on the museum, he was assigned the duty of repairing an issue with the roof or some form of factor hanging from the ceiling. As he labored above the exhibit housing the stolen lava stones, tragedy struck. He misplaced his footing, plummeted by the roof, and landed straight on the heiau exhibit. His head struck one of many sacred stones with deadly power, and he died immediately.

The Haunting Legacy Within Bishop Museum

The museum workers was shaken by the sudden and tragic dying, and whispers of the heiau stones’ curse shortly unfold. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than rumors of a haunting started to flow into. It’s mentioned that they positioned the lava rocks again on the temple, however did the indignant spirit return as effectively? Some say that there nonetheless is a menacing spirit lingering within the museum.

Workers and guests alike have reported eerie occurrences throughout the museum’s halls—chilly spots, flickering lights, and the sensation of being watched by an unseen presence. 

Some declare to have seen the ghost of the younger man wandering close to the exhibit the place he met his premature finish, his spirit perpetually tied to the sacred stones that ought to by no means have been disturbed.

There’s a story a few janitor mopping the ground at night time and immediately heard the sound of heavy respiration. When he seemed round, there was nobody there, even when the respiration sounded prefer it was respiration down his neck. The janitor needed to get out of there, however as he was leaving he noticed the shadow of somebody standing within the nook of the darkish and empty museum. He ran out and give up the subsequent day. 

The Ghost of the Hawaiian Princess

There’s not solely a vengeful spirit lurking within the museum although if we’re to consider the rumors. The ghost of Princess Bernice Bishop has additionally been seen within the museum. Individuals often declare to see her standing within the shadowy corners, taking a look at work or a number of the uncommon insect species the museum holds. She is alleged to be a peaceable ghost, probably not making the guests or the workers afraid along with her presence.  

Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger. Looking at the exhibitions inside of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, some claim that some of the guests are not of the living and that ghosts linger.
Bernice Pauahi Bishop in San Francisco in 1875.

It’s largely proper earlier than opening and shutting time she seems and the workers working on the museum acknowledge her as she is in quaint clothes in addition to sporting her crown and jewels. 

The Bishop Museum’s story is a haunting reminder of the respect that should be given to historical Hawaiian beliefs and practices. It stands as a chilling instance of what can occur when the sacred is handled with disregard, and it continues to ship shivers down the spines of those that stroll by its historic halls.

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References:

About – Bishop Museum 

Haunted Bishop Museum 

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