Waikiki is world-famous for its golden beaches, legendary surf, and vibrant nightlife. But nestled among its modern high-rises and commercial bustle lies a gem of Hawaiian history and mystery: The Moana Surfrider. Known as the “First Lady of Waikiki,” this historic hotel opened in 1901 and remains one of Hawaii’s most iconic landmarks. With its graceful colonial architecture, oceanfront verandas, and long-standing legends of lingering spirits, The Moana Surfrider is a must-visit for travelers, history lovers, and especially paranormal enthusiasts. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the rich history of this elegant hotel and explore the ghost stories that have bewitched guests for over a century.
The History
Waikiki’s First Luxury Hotel
When The Moana Surfrider first opened its doors on March 11, 1901, it marked a turning point in Hawaiian tourism. Constructed at a cost of $150,000—a considerable sum at the time—it was the first luxury hotel in Waikiki, designed to attract wealthy vacationers from the mainland United States. The hotel was the vision of businessman Walter Chamberlain Peacock, who hoped to transform Waikiki into a premier resort destination.
The Moana Surfrider boasted cutting-edge amenities for its time, including telephones in each room, private baths, and even an elevator—the first in the islands. The hotel’s design reflected the popular architecture of its era, with wide lanais (balconies), expansive verandas, and towering white columns that remain a signature today. Set directly on the beach, it opened up oceanfront relaxation to a new kind of traveler.
From Monarchy to Statehood
The hotel has been a silent witness to many of Hawaii’s pivotal historical changes—first existing during the final years of the Hawaiian monarchy, through annexation by the United States in 1898, and finally statehood in 1959. Over the decades, The Moana Surfrider hosted royal guests, military personnel, literary figures, and Hollywood celebrities. Among its most famous visitors was author Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent time in Hawaii in the late 19th century and is said to have frequented the area where the Moana would eventually be built.
During both World Wars, the hotel served as a rest and relaxation retreat for military officers. In the post-war boom, the Moana underwent several expansions but always retained its original elegance and historical charm. Whether welcoming honeymooners or dignitaries, the hotel remained a centerpiece of Pacific hospitality.
Modern-Day Preservation
Today, The Moana Surfrider operates under the Westin brand, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family. Despite necessary modern updates, care has been taken to preserve its historic essence. The hotel’s original front wing, known as the Banyan Wing, has been beautifully restored. Guests can still recline on its grand oceanfront rocking chairs, stroll beneath the historic banyan tree planted in 1904, and admire vintage photographs lining the hallways that tell the story of over 120 years of Hawaiian heritage.
For those interested in walking through history, the Moana Surfrider offers complimentary historical tours guided by knowledgeable docents. These tours reveal hidden architectural features, notable events, and, intriguingly, a few whispered legends that aren’t covered in most guidebooks.
The Haunt
The Tragic Bride of Room 203
If you ask longtime staff or savvy locals about the haunted history of The Moana Surfrider, one name often surfaces: Jane Stanford. While some dispute the accuracy, legends persist that Stanford—co-founder of Stanford University—died under mysterious circumstances while staying at the Moana in 1905. Though official records state it was strychnine poisoning, the details surrounding her death are murky, with conflicting reports and inconclusive investigations. Some believe her spirit never truly checked out.
Guests and staff have reported eerie occurrences, most often centered around Room 203, where she is said to have stayed. Reports include cold drafts in otherwise warm rooms, the sound of soft weeping, and the feeling of being watched. On multiple occasions, patrons have claimed to see the spectral figure of an elderly woman dressed in early 1900s attire slowly walking down the hallway before vanishing into thin air.
Shadow Figures and Whispers
Other supernatural disturbances aren’t limited to just Room 203. Night shift workers and late-night guests have reported catching the occasional shadow out of the corner of their eye—figures that disappear upon second glance. Disembodied voices, footsteps in empty hallways, and lights flickering for no apparent reason have all been recorded in the historic Banyan Wing.
One security staff member claims to have witnessed a shadowy figure near the historic banyan tree just after 3 a.m.—long considered “ghost hour” in many spiritual traditions. When he approached, he found no one was there. What made it stranger? He was called to the area because a guest had reported the same apparition about five minutes earlier.
Time Slips and Residual Energy
A particularly chilling phenomenon reported at The Moana Surfrider is what some paranormal researchers refer to as a “time slip.” Several guests have described walking into a hallway or a portion of the hotel late at night and briefly experiencing an entirely “different time period.” One guest recounted entering the hallway outside Room 203 and being momentarily surrounded by the smell of vintage perfume, candlelight glows, and muffled turn-of-the-century music—as if they had walked into a scene from the early 1900s. Moments later, everything returned to normal.
These experiences, while fleeting, suggest more than just traditional hauntings—they speak to the possibility of residual spiritual energy embedded in the very bones of the building. This makes The Moana Surfrider a particularly rich location for paranormal investigations.
Conclusion: A Must-Visit for Ghost Hunters
Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or the paranormal, The Moana Surfrider offers a unique slice of Hawaiian charm wrapped in a veil of mystery. With more than a century of stories echoing through its halls, this “First Lady of Waikiki” remains one of the island’s most intriguing—and potentially haunted—destinations.
If you’re part of the ghost-hunting community, be sure to bring your EMF detector, voice recorder, and plenty of spiritual curiosity. Take one of the hotel’s historic tours during the day, and then quietly explore the hallways (respectfully, of course) once night descends on Waikiki Beach. Who knows—you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive lady in white or feel a chill in the warm ocean air without explanation.
Whether you’re an experienced paranormal investigator or a curious traveler seeking an adventure beyond the ordinary, The Moana Surfrider should be high on your haunted Hawaii bucket list. One thing’s for certain—this historic hotel is more than just a pretty postcard. It’s a living monument, a museum of memories, and perhaps, a host to those who never truly left paradise.