Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawaii

by Glen Grant

Book by Grant, Glen

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of firsthand and secondhand accounts of ghosts and other supernatural phenomena in Hawaii. There are a number of genuinely creepy tales among them. The only minuses with the book are minor - the author's introductions could be overlong (particularly his 15-page foreword), and some of the later stories fictionalized rather than anonymized certain identifying details. Still, as a collection of authentic ghost stories, and particularly Hawaiian ghost stories, this is very good. (A-)

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great compilation of stories! I don't know about everyone else BUT I sometimes forget that there are such cultural differences right within our own country. It was wonderful to read these stories that are so rich in Hawaiian culture. Oh, and I learned a few things along the way...

1) Don't pick up hitchhikers in Hawaii (although it's definitely a sound rule no matter where you are!!)
2) If visiting Hawaii and someone calls your name (and you don't know them) keep going! Don't look back.
3) IF you would come across a ghost-ask it what it wants or it's just going to keep coming back.

Seriously, this was just such an interesting and fun book. Enjoy!

[Gail Baugniet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories in this book are not meant for a Halloween night by the campfire for children. These stories actually reflect 25 years of study by the late Dr. Grant, who held a doctorate in American Studies from the University of Hawai'i and was a teacher at Hawai'i Tokai International College.

No urban legends here about taking pork over the Pali or disasters following removal of lava from the islands (true stories, but, over time exaggerated.) Even if you don't believe in the supernatural, you'll be hardpressed to disprove the encounters detailed in this book. Better to sit back and enjoy the stories of ancestral bones in mysterious caves, a Kapahulu haunting, legends of the fire goddess Pele, and the curse of Aloha Stadium.
You'll soon experience the deeper meaning of "chicken skin."

[Chayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is seriously one of the best ghost story books one could ever read. Especially if you're from the islands of Hawaii. It just may be the ONLY ghost story book you'll ever need to read. Although the Chicken Skin series have some good ones as well. I would read this as a kid being obsessed with the paranormal and even now as a young adult, will still never get tired of reading it. There are countless upon countless accounts of ghostly sightings and personal experiences. Enough to keep you up for days. I've never read it straight through from front to back, but i've probably read the whole thing in bits and pieces, here and there. There are even photos in the back that will creep you out with little stories that accompany each one. This is definitely a keeper til the day you die and begin write a ghost story of your own.

[Paul Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the content of this book, delving as it does into Hawaiian folklore and the mysteries throughout the island. Unfortunately, though, it really lacked a style I was looking for, a tone that would give me the chills when reading. It is fairly straight-forward reporting with no attempt to set the mood or the tone to suit each piece. For content it rates a five, but unfortunately the lack of atompshere drops it way down for me. In short, it didn't give me chicken skin and I wanted it to.

[A.J. Llewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still mourn Grant's death because nobody knew the history of the islands better than this author and people trusted him with their obake (ghost) stories. He talks about places and people that don't exist anymore but still manages to make you feel as if they do. Some stories are frankly disturbing and some are just fascinating. I took his Walking Tours of Old Honolulu before his untimely passing so some of these stories were familiar. Not a book to read late at night if you are alone. Trust me on that.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glen Grant collects ghost stories from island residents. The stories are simple and aren't sensationalized. It's more of an oral history project. Have you had a ghostly encounter? Hawaiian ghost stories give me chicken skin/the heebie jeebies. This is a nice reference for Hawaiian/Japanese American ghost stories. Topics include rocks, heiaus, Pele the volcano goddess, menehunes, disappearing hitchhikers, fireballs, and night marchers.

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[Julie Barnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While we were in Hawaii, we did a ghost tour. It was a LOT of fun. Our tour guide recommended Glen Grant, so I picked this book up at the bookstore on our way home. It's a fabulous collection of first-hand accounts of ghostly happenings in Hawaii. The stories really give a new insight to the Hawaiian culture and people.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.hawaiibookblog.com/?p=1600

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read some of the stories when I was younger and was terrified by the story that took place at Manuka State Park. It stuck with me and I think about it every time I drive past Manuka.

[Shailee]

good book

[Liayla-Romona Pinnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

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