Sightings: Kaimuki House Haunting – Hawaii, 2023
Episode Release Date: January 13, 2025
Host/Author: REVERB | QCODE
I. Episode Introduction
In the episode titled "Kaimuki House Haunting: Hawaii, 2023", hosts McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley delve into one of Hawaii's most chilling supernatural tales. This episode takes listeners on a spine-tingling journey through the experiences of James Reeves and his girlfriend, Lacey, as they encounter unexplainable phenomena in their Hawaiian home.
II. Personal Account: James Reeves and the Kaimuki House Haunting
A. Moving to Hawaii and Finding the House
James Reeves and his girlfriend, Lacey, relocated to Hawaii in September 2018, seeking paradise after leaving their tech jobs in Los Angeles. Their dream of an idyllic life in Honolulu was quickly dashed when they struggled to find a suitable long-term residence. After a week of disheartening viewings, their realtor suggested the Kaimuki neighborhood.
Kaimuki Description:
"The neighborhood sits on the slopes above Diamond Head, its winding streets lined with both historic homes and gleaming new construction. From certain vantage points, you can see straight to the ocean, while others offer views of the lush mountains. The whole place has this nostalgic feel, like stepping into old Hawaii."
— James Reeves, [02:18]
They found a seemingly perfect corner bungalow with modern amenities at an attractive price, unaware of the building's dark past.
B. Strange Neighborhood Behavior
Upon moving in, James and Lacey noticed peculiar behaviors from their neighbors. The community's discomfort with their new residents was evident through avoidant actions, such as parents hurriedly escorting their children and neighbors hastily drawing curtains.
"I noticed a few people slowing their cars to stare as they passed by… something that seemed strangely darker."
— James Reeves, [03:15]
C. Initial Unsettling Events
The first signs of something amiss were subtle but unsettling. The moving company canceled unexpectedly, and lingering gazes from neighbors hinted at underlying tensions. As weeks progressed, more overt strange behaviors emerged, culminating in the revelation from a neighbor, Mrs. Kalani, about the property's haunted history.
"The previous house that stood here… had been the site of several inexplicable events dating back to the 1940s…"
— James Reeves, [04:30]
D. Discovering Dark History at the Library
Determined to uncover the truth, James visited the Kaimuki Public Library. With the help of Mrs. Akamu, the librarian, he unearthed gruesome tales of past tragedies, including multiple murders and unexplained paranormal activities linked to malevolent spirits known as kasha.
"These entities feed on negative energy and death… Once it takes an interest in someone, it rarely leaves."
— Mrs. Akamu, [12:15]
These revelations painted a terrifying picture of the house's history, suggesting that the kasha had latched onto the property and, potentially, the new residents.
E. Supernatural Events Intensify
As the truth about the house's history sank in, the supernatural occurrences escalated. James began waking up at exactly 4:33 AM to inexplicably cold temperatures and simultaneous smoke alarm activations, despite all alarms being different brands and solely battery-operated.
"This is like being stabbed by a white walker… my life force was being sucked away."
— James Reeves, [07:10]
Simultaneously, an unbearable odor permeated the house, leading James to a bathroom cabinet where he was violently attacked by an invisible force, narrowly escaping with his life as Lacey intervened.
F. Climactic Escape from Hawaii
The situation reached a breaking point when Lacey experienced a similar violent encounter while driving, resulting in her being violently ejected from the car by the malevolent entity. With Officer Kalama's partial assistance, they managed to fend off the spirit using Hawaiian salt, a supposed repellent.
"I think it's a spiritual parasite… It feeds on suffering, growing stronger with each new tragedy it creates."
— Mrs. Akamu, [13:30]
Realizing the danger had followed them, James and Lacey fled Hawaii, boarding a flight back to Los Angeles. However, the harrowing experience suggested that the kasha might still be pursuing them, leaving them in a constant state of fear even at 40,000 feet above the Pacific.
"I suddenly feel cold, freezing cold, and realize that my watch just stopped at 4.33. I think it followed us. God help us, it followed us."
— James Reeves, [23:50]
III. Host Discussion and Analysis
A. Reflections on the Story
Upon retelling the narrative, Ryan Reynolds expressed personal fear and identified with the characters' plight, likening the story to movies like "It Follows" and "Fallen". He highlighted the relentless nature of the haunting, emphasizing the psychological terror of being unable to escape.
"This story is maybe the most terrifying one, personally, for me, that we've done yet. It reminds me of films like It Follows and Fallen…"
— Ryan Reynolds, [25:00]
Brian Sigley echoed these sentiments, appreciating the physicality and intensity of the hauntings, noting it transcended typical haunted house tropes by introducing violent, aggressive supernatural interactions.
"This is not a haunted house story… it's a violent thing that is going to throw you around, strangle you, try to kill you."
— Brian Sigley, [26:10]
B. Insights into Folklore: The Kasha
The hosts delved into the origin and nature of the kasha, a malevolent spirit from Japanese folklore. Traditionally depicted as flaming carts taking the damned to the afterlife, modern interpretations have them as shapeshifting demons consuming human souls and suffering.
"Originally, the kasha was depicted as a being that would arrive on this cart engulfed in flames… it feeds on the dead."
— Brian Sigley, [28:36]
They discussed how the kasha's evolving depiction aligns with the events experienced by James and Lacey, suggesting that the spirit's attachment to the house could be due to its violent history.
C. Cultural and Historical Context of Kaimuki
Brian provided an overview of Kaimuki's history, transitioning from royal ostrich farms to primarily residential areas known for funeral flower cultivation. This historical backdrop set the stage for the property's dark legacy.
"Kaimuki was a farm for the king… primarily used to grow funeral flowers."
— Brian Sigley, [29:55]
D. The Concept of Place and Collective Memory
The discussion highlighted how repeated supernatural events in a specific location can embed these occurrences into the community's collective consciousness, perpetuating the legend and potentially attracting more malevolent attention.
"As these occurrences kind of worm their way into the cultural awareness, it becomes part of the lexicon almost."
— Brian Sigley, [34:24]
IV. Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode
The hosts wrapped up the episode by expressing their fascination and dread surrounding the Kaimuki House story. They teased the next episode set in West Virginia, promising another legendary supernatural tale involving UFOs and mythical creatures.
"Next week, we're heading back to the mainland, and we are going to West Virginia for one of the most famous supernatural stories of them all."
— Brian Sigley, [35:53]
Notable Quotes:
-
James Reeves
"We naturally worried we'd be priced out of the neighborhood just like the others, but there was apparently one house that was in our range."
[02:18] -
Mrs. Akamu
"These entities feed on negative energy and death… Once it takes an interest in someone, it rarely leaves."
[12:15] -
James Reeves
"This is like being stabbed by a white walker… my life force was being sucked away."
[07:10] -
Ryan Reynolds
"This story is maybe the most terrifying one, personally, for me, that we've done yet."
[25:00] -
Brian Sigley
"This is not a haunted house story… it's a violent thing that is going to throw you around, strangle you, try to kill you."
[26:10] -
Brian Sigley
"Originally, the kasha was depicted as a being that would arrive on this cart engulfed in flames… it feeds on the dead."
[28:36]
Conclusion:
"Sightings: Kaimuki House Haunting: Hawaii, 2023" offers a gripping exploration of one couple's terrifying encounters with a malevolent spirit rooted in local folklore. Through James Reeves' harrowing experiences and the hosts' insightful analysis, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the supernatural phenomena that turned a dream home into a living nightmare. The episode masterfully intertwines personal narrative with cultural context, providing a richly detailed and engaging tale that leaves audiences questioning the thin veil between reality and the paranormal.