Kay Borelis, an avid runner, had always been drawn to the lush trails of Oahu’s Nuuanu (new ooh ah new) Pali Lookout.
She’d heard whispers about a place where ancient spirits roamed free, but never took them seriously – until that fateful morning when she stumbled upon something sinister.
Kay’s heart raced as she pounded her feet against the damp earth, her sports camera capturing every stride.
But it was what happened next that would leave her shaken: A ghostly figure emerged from the trees, its eyes glowing like embers in the dark.
Kay’s world was about to turn upside down. The early morning air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy as she sensed the presence of something inexplicable – something that could mean the difference between life and death.
Kay had just encountered Hawaii’s dreaded and feared Night Marchers!
Kay Borelis had always found solace in the rhythmic thud of her footsteps against the earth. As an art director, designer, and blogger, her passion for ultramarathons had taken her to the most breathtaking trails around the world. But none as captivating as those on Oahu, Hawaii.
It was during one such event – the HURT 100 mile race – that Kay experienced something inexplicable. The HURT 100 is a grueling test of endurance: five loops through Oahu’s Honolulu Mauka (mow ah kah) trails, totaling 20 miles.
The course is notorious for its obstacles – thick mud-caked roots, numerous water crossings, steep cliffs, and rocky inclines.
As she laced up her running shoes and strapped on her sports camera, Kay was determined to push her limits further. She set out into the darkness, her heart pounding in time with her footsteps as she devoured the miles.
The trail unwound before her like a serpent, its twists and turns illuminated only by the faint moon overhead.
As she ran deeper into the jungle, Kay felt an electric jolt of fear that shot through her veins like a lightning bolt. Suddenly, the trees seemed to close in around her, their branches grasping for her like skeletal fingers.
The darkness seemed to thicken around Kay, like an unseen force taking hold of her very breath.
The air vibrated with an otherworldly energy, sending shivers down her spine as she sensed the presence of something inexplicable, something truly sinister.
But what ancient secrets lurked in these shadows, waiting to unleash their wrath upon unsuspecting runners like Kay?
In Hawaiian folklore, the Night Marchers are believed to be the restless spirits of ancient warriors and chiefs who roam specific locations at night, often recognized by their raised torches and repeated chants.
According to legend, these ghostly apparitions appear in certain areas like Oahu’s Nuuanu (new ooh ah new) Pali Lookout, Ka’a’awa (ka ah ahwa)Valley, and Kualoa (coo ah low ah) Ranch.
In some regions, nighttime visitors are encouraged to be wary of the Night Marchers. If someone is in their path, they must remove their clothes, lie on their back, spread-eagle style, and remain still as long as the marchers pass by.
In traditional tellings, if someone encounters a Night Marcher without adhering to protocol, they might be taken away or even killed.
However, if the person is related to one of the marchers, their life will be spared and they’ll be free from eternal doom.
Storyteller Lopaka (low pack ah) Kapanui (kah pah new ee) shares that the night marchers’ job wasn’t to terrorize innocent or unsuspecting people, but rather to protect high-ranking chiefs and keep the hawaiian people from harm.
Others believe the Night Marchers are spirits who have unfinished business on earth. According to this legend, these ancient warriors were once tasked with protecting sacred Hawaiian chiefs and their families from harm. As such, they developed a strong sense of duty and loyalty towards those under their care.
It’s said that the Night Marchers roam specific areas of Oahu, often near ancient temples or sacred sites where powerful Hawaiian gods and goddesses once resided. Some believe that these spirits are drawn to locations with high spiritual energy, where they can recharge their powers and continue their duties as guardians of the land.
In some stories, the Night Marchers are even said to appear in times of great turmoil or change on the island.
During these stories, the marchers’ presence serves as a warning or reminder to respect the sacred traditions and customs of old Hawaii.
In this respect, the Night Marchers roam the islands at night to ensure that the ancient ways of life are preserved and respected.
The mystery surrounding the Night Marchers has led many to speculate about their true nature and purpose.
Some feel they are benevolent spirits who protect people from harm, while others think they’re malevolent beings seeking revenge for past injustices.
Regardless, one thing is clear: Their significance extends far beyond the realm of mere myth or superstition, speaking to something fundamental about human nature and our connection with the land and its history.
But what drives these restless spirits to roam the island under the cover of darkness? Are they seeking revenge, or is there a deeper purpose behind their nocturnal marches?
To the Hawaiians, the Night Marchers are guardians of ancient secrets and mysteries that have been hidden from the world for centuries. Their appearances have been documented throughout Hawaiian history, with stories of encounters dating back to the early days of Polynesian settlement.
Hawaiians claim they’ve seen the marchers in the mist-shrouded valleys of Mauna (mah nah) Loa (lo ah), while others report encountering them on the windswept tourist beaches of Waikiki.
One legend speaks of a powerful sorceress who once ruled over the island with an iron fist. According to this tale, she was killed by her enemies and left to roam the land as a restless spirit. Now, she leads the Night Marchers in their nocturnal processions, seeking revenge for her murder, or perhaps searching for something more profound.
Another story tells of a great chief who died defending his people against foreign invaders. His spirit is said to have lingered on earth, rallying the Night Marchers as they roam the island under the cover of darkness.
In this telling, the marchers are seen as guardians of Hawaiian sovereignty, ensuring that the sacred traditions and customs of old Hawaii are preserved and respected.
Despite these stories, the true nature and purpose of the Night Marchers remain shrouded in mystery to this very day.
Be they beneficial spirits or vengeful beings, the Night Marchers are a testament to the enduring power and presence of ancient Hawaiian culture, and a reminder that some secrets are just too profound to be forgotten.
But are the legends real?
It’s argued that the Night Marchers are nothing more than a myth created by a superstitious Hawaiian people to explain away natural phenomena they simply didn’t understand.
Or the marchers could be seen as a metaphor for the island’s turbulent history, where ancient chiefs and warriors fought against centuries of invaders.
From this perspective, skeptics aruge that the marchers represent the collective fears and anxieties of the native population in the face of colonialism and oppression. Their ghostly apparitions symbolizing the lingering presence of those who were wronged or oppressed, their cries for justice echoing through time.
Skeptics also suggest that the Night Marchers are simply a manifestation of the island’s unique folklore, an amalgamation of ancient stories, legends, and myths that have been passed down through generations. The myth of the marchers seen as a representation of the island’s rich cultural heritage, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.
In this context, the marchers embody the collective imagination of the Hawaiian people, their creative expression of the world around them. Their nocturnal processions symbolize the power of storytelling, where the fantastical and the ordinary blend into a unique narrative that continues to captivate us.
So, are the Night Marchers nothing more than a metaphor, a cultural icon?
Or do they represent something more profound – an ancient truth hidden beneath the surface of our reality?
While skeptics argue that the Night Marchers are nothing more than a myth, native Hawaiians claim that their evidence suggests otherwise, with locals frequently reporting encounters with these ghostly apparitions.
In 2004, a group of hikers claimed to have seen the marchers during their trek through the Nuuanu (new ooh ah nu) Pali Lookout. They described the encounter as “terrifying,” stating that the apparitions were chanting, beating drums, and carrying torches.
Similar reports emerged from Ka’a’awa (ka ah ahwa) Valley, where visitors have captured images of ghostly figures in traditional Hawaiian attire, marching in line, carrying torches in the dead of night.
Some believe these spirits are drawn to locations with high spiritual energy, where they can recharge their powers and continue their duties as guardians of the land.
In 2010, a team of paranormal investigators claimed to have recorded audio evidence of the Night Marchers during a late-night expedition through Kualoa (coo ah low ah) Ranch.
According to their account, the recording captured the sound of chanting and drums, echoing through the darkness.
While these accounts are anecdotal and near impossible to verify, they contribute to a growing body of people who believe the Night Marchers may be more than just a myth.
So what really lies beneath their ghostly apparitions?
Are they guardians of ancient secrets or harbingers of doom?
Let me know what you think down in the comments below.
As for Kay Borelis’ encounter, it has left us with more questions than answers. The night marchers continue to roam Oahu, their true purpose hidden behind a veil of mystery and intrigue, and a wall of lush jungle.
Will we ever uncover the truth behind this ancient legend, or will it forever remain shrouded in secrecy?
The allure of the Night Marchers beckons us – dare we tempt fate to find out?
The islands hold their breath, waiting for the next brave soul who dares to venture into the heart of the legend. Will you be that person?
Will you really dare tempt fate to uncover the secrets of the Night Marchers?
If so, lace up your running shoes and strap on your sports camera – but be warned: Unlike Kay, “you” might not return…
