The Haunted Lagoon Experience at the Polynesian Cultural Center

In our little town of Laie, we have the Polynesian Cultural Center which has a variety of activities during the year.

I thought I was too old to get scared , but I was wrong. Last Halloween I went together with four of my grandchildren to the Haunted Lagoon, which has become a yearly event at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. It is unlike any spook alley you will have ever experienced and it is coming again to celebrate Halloween.

Last year the numbers increased exponentially, and with good reason. We had to stand in line for a while, but the anticipation of what we might see probably added to our fear when it actually happened. This year will be the third time PCC has put on the Haunted Lagoon.

There is a lagoon on the premises. which extends almost the length of the center. They have rafts that can carry approximately 35 people. An oarsman steers the rafts with a long pole.

This was our experience. As we pulled away from the shore and approached the first bridge, the grim reaper appeared overhead with a sign that said, “I would turn back if I were you”. The low bridges across the lagoon were draped with furry material so when you went under it, the material hung down in strips and touched you. It felt really creepy.

On our left after the first bridge, there was a woman standing on a small island with a white dress and long hair. A sinister voice told the story of the poor lady of the lagoon who lost her lover and son in the lagoon. About this time the lady walks, then crawls on the water towards our raft (I'm still not sure how she did that). She then jumps into the lagoon and disappears. It looked so real, just as if she really could walk and crawl on the water.

Everyone in the raft was screaming and holding tight to the next person. My granddaughter was almost in tears. Just when you feel a little bit safe again, creatures appear out of the water and come up very close to the raft and reach out towards you. There are huge monsters on the shore some of which look like aliens and they bend and twist. Eerie music is playing and have chilling sound effects make the whole experience more intense.

After going through another tunnel, there were huge hairy spiders dangling down towards us almost touching our heads. Children singing ring around the rosies and mothers calling for their children as well as ghosts flying overhead add to the frightful environment. It is nearly pitch dark and then suddenly there were lights flickering on the water or focused on another creature or a floating graveyard. Kudos to the Polynesian Cultural Center for an excellent out door haunted lagoon. I'm looking forward to being scared again this Halloween and see what else they have added. I am sure it will be a canoe ride to remember.

For Young Children

For the faint in heart, and young children, they also have a milder keiki canoe ride. It also has a theme about a lost warrior who has a mystical light staff that can repel creatures or monsters as well as the ghostly La'ie Lady of the lagoon. While the children wait for their canoe ride, they have several Halloween movies playing.

People come from all over the islands to have their turn at enjoying this Haunted Lagoon Experience. It is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. Polynesian Cultural Center have a ghostly cast of over 100 to make this an unforgettable experience.

The Haunted Lagoon has become Hawaii’s premier haunted attraction. Last year they welcomed more than 44,000 guests in 20 days. The PCC has turned up the terror with new creatures and has revamped effects – which promises to offer even more thrills than ever before.