The Haunting of Nu‘uana Pali Lookout Highway

Honolulu County, Honolulu, Hawaii

Photo: Wikimedia

The Nu‘uana Pali Lookout Highway winds through one of the most dramatic and spiritually charged landscapes in Hawaii. Towering cliffs, dense vegetation, and powerful winds dominate the area, creating a place where nature feels alive and watchful. Long before the highway existed, this land was already sacred — and already soaked in blood.

In 1795, the Battle of Nu‘uana took place here during King Kamehameha I’s campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands. As warriors fled across the steep cliffs, many were forced over the edge, plunging hundreds of feet to their deaths below. The valley floor became a mass grave, and local tradition holds that the spirits of those who died did not move on peacefully. Instead, they remain bound to the cliffs, the wind, and the narrow passes that cut through the mountains.

One of the most enduring legends tied to the highway is that of a woman dressed in white who appears late at night along the roadside. Drivers report seeing her standing quietly, often soaking wet or barefoot, asking for a ride. Those who stop describe an overwhelming sense of sadness or unease as she enters the vehicle. Moments later, she vanishes without a sound — sometimes leaving behind wet footprints, a sudden coldness, or the lingering smell of rain and earth.

Other motorists have reported hearing chanting, whispers, or cries carried unnaturally on the wind, even when the road is otherwise silent. Some experience sudden dizziness, nausea, or an intense feeling of being watched. Mechanical failures are also commonly reported, including stalled engines, flickering lights, and radios that abruptly cut out while passing through the area.

Local belief warns against carrying pork through the Pali, as it is said to offend Pele, the volcano goddess, and the spirits tied to the land. Those who ignore this warning often report bad luck, accidents, or vehicle trouble until the item is removed. The winds themselves are thought to be more than weather — many believe they are the voices of the dead, sweeping through the cliffs as a reminder of the battle and the lives lost.

Even in daylight, visitors describe an oppressive heaviness that settles over the lookout. Shadows seem to move where none should exist, and the cliffs feel closer than they appear. At night, when visibility drops and the wind howls through the mountain passes, the Nu‘uana Pali Lookout Highway becomes a place where history, nature, and the supernatural blur — and where the past is never truly silent.

Visitor Information:
Address: Nu‘uana Pali Drive
Honolulu, HI 96817
Note: This area includes roadside pull-offs and lookout points. Use caution and be mindful of weather and high winds.

The Haunting of Emily’s Bridge- Stowe, Vermont

Photograph Wikipedia

Emily’s Bridge – Lamoille County, Stowe, Vermont

They call it Emily’s Bridge — though its official name is the Gold Brook Covered Bridge. Built in 1844, this modest wooden span over Gold Brook now carries whispers of heartbreak, vengeance, and restless spirits. Locals will tell you that under the moonlight, Emily still haunts these rafters, waiting for someone to notice her.

The bridge itself is built in the **Howe truss** style, a sturdy design for its time, and is one of Vermont’s few surviving 19th‑century covered bridges. 0 It sits tucked in the “Stowe Hollow” area, accessible via Covered Bridge Road off Gold Brook Road. 1 Though quiet by day, by night the bridge takes on a more sinister presence.

The Legend of Emily

The most persistent version of the tale says that Emily was a young woman deeply in love, but forced against her will to wait at midnight on the bridge for a lover who never came. Some say she and he planned to elope. Others say her family forbade the match. In despair, Emily hanged herself from the rafters — the Brook her only witness. Variations even suggest she drowned when her rope broke. Whatever the version, Emily’s heartbreak became a ghost story etched into the community memory. 

Hauntings & Strange Encounters

Many who visit after dark report sudden chills, disembodied sobbing, or the soft scrape of fingernails across metal. Some claim to hear whispered pleas — “Wait for me” — carried on cold wind. Others say their car doors were scratched overnight, or mysterious handprints appeared on their vehicles after passing through the bridge. A few bold paranormal teams report recording EVPs, meltdowns of equipment, and even the sensation of something brushing their necks while inside the bridge.

Skepticism, Lore, and Modern Debates

Despite its haunting reputation, Emily’s Bridge has no verifiable historical record confirming that “Emily” ever lived, died, or even existed. Local historians note that the legend’s earliest mentions appear only in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some believe the story was possibly invented or expanded by locals in past decades to deter trespassing or vandalism near a secluded swimming hole. Paranormal author Joseph Citro and others argue that while many swear they’ve felt Emily’s presence, the legend may be more folkloric than factual. 

A Haunting Experience

Allan Barnes, lead investigator with Xpara, recounted stepping into near-total darkness within Emily’s Bridge. The sound of Gold Brook rushing below echoed through the beams. Then, without warning, he felt pressure on his shoulders — as though someone had leaned close. He says the weight lifted, and silence swallowed him whole. A local in 1978 reported gathering courage to cross with friends, only for one of them to panic mid‑span, insisting they hear sobbing, footsteps behind them, and something scratching at the wood. 

Whether Emily lingers in anguish, or her spirit is a manifestation of collective grief, the bridge remains a magnet to those who believe in voices beyond death.

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Address & Visitor Info:
Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily’s Bridge)
Covered Bridge Road & Gold Brook Road
Stowe, Vermont 05672
Built: 1844
The bridge carries a public roadway. It’s accessible via Route 100 → Gold Brook Road → Covered Bridge Road.

Visiting tips: Best visited at dusk or after dark (for those seeking the haunted experience). Be respectful of locals and private property. Leave no trace. Some nearby parking is available, but roadways are narrow.