REPORTER'S COMMENTARY

"The Haunted Plantation was one of the scariest things I've ever seen in person. You immediately feel goose bumps walking through the tunnel to the start of the walkthrough. Once I went into the first building, I immediately felt chills. Each room had its own level and theme. This was not a little kiddy show. Think of your childhood fears and put them into life. It was worth going but I highly recommend getting the fast pass and arriving early."

If you're looking for a true haunted attraction that is sure to make your hair stand up, cause you to wet yourself and have uncontrollable nightmares, then the Haunted Plantation is it.

"The scare factor is way up this year," said event organizer, Noa Laporga.

Hawai‘i's Plantation Village in Waipahu and Groundup Movement LLC are hosting the 5th annual "Haunted Plantation" attraction on Friday, Oct. 29, Saturday, Oct. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. This local attraction takes visitors through a bone-chilling walkthrough of the haunted grounds of the 20th century plantation village.

Admission is only $10 or $15 for a fast pass that will take you through a faster line. Tickets can only be purchased at the plantation on the day of the event. A large percentage of the proceeds are donated to the plantation.

"This year we are the cheapest," Laporga said. "We want to make it affordable to people."

This event is not for children under 13, women who are pregnant or people with heart conditions. Children under 16 need adult supervision. The walkthrough lasts approximately 15 minutes.

It is advised to show up between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to get a ticket. Many people come hours early to guarantee their spot. Food vendors will be there for the first half of the night.

"People are very superstitious in Hawai‘i," said Laporga. "The people who came here brought their cultures and superstitions with them. Hawai‘i is such a melting pot."

The walkthrough pulls from local legends that stem from the folklore of the time. The characters consist of the Japanese faceless lady Mujina, the Filipino demon vampire Aswang and the geisha Kiku who drowned herself by filling her kimono with stones.

"These are all original characters based on Hawaiian folklore," Laporga said. "You will not see any Michael Myers or Freddy Krugers."

Fifty professional paid actors put on the show with professional Hollywood-style make-up.

There is a different theme each year. This year is "5 years of fear," for the 5th anniversary. Laporga explained that the haunt is different every year and you can never expect to see the same show twice.

They have added two new mini productions for those waiting in line. These 8-10 minute shows will happen at opening and during the intermission. No details as to the content of these shows have been revealed.

"We see a lot of people fainting, peeing their pants, throwing up and leaving halfway through the tour," Laporga said.

The attraction started in 2006, when Groundup Movement's owner Noa Laporga had the idea to start up a haunted attraction. He approached the Hawai‘i Plantation Village executive director after learning of its legends and stories.

"I had to fight for it, Jeff Higa gave me a chance," Laporga said.

In 2006 they showed it for one night and sold out after 1,000 people. The second year they showed it two nights, which also sold out. The third year they showed it for four nights and last year they did it seven, all of which have sold out. Per night, the attraction sees between 1,500-2,000 people. When it sells out they shut the gates.

"The Haunted Plantation targets a younger more media-savvy audience that we do not usually reach and introduces them to the village and our offerings," said Jeffery Higa, the Hawai‘i Plantation Village Executive Director.

The Haunted Plantation has received many reviews and was most recently ranked 6th out of the 10 "spots in the U.S. that will scare the bejezus out of you," by the world's largest independent travel magazine, Matador Network.

The legends and true stories of paranormal experiences add to scare factor. Jeff Higa will lead the "Haunted Hawai‘i Ghost Stories" tour, a tour where he will recount true stories of the supernatural happenings, sightings and encounters in the village.

Longtime Waipahu resident and storyteller, Moira Nakamine, will also tell of paranormal events and local legends of the Waipahu area.

"A lot of accidents have occurred on Waipahu Street," Laporga said. "People talk of seeing people standing in the road and of a woman who will appear in your car if you don't stop for her. These are what people have claimed to see."

During the day and offseason, the plantation offers guided cultural and educational tours about the plantation's history and workers. Each of the different buildings is furnished with items that reflect a particular ethnic group around the time period.

"This village took about twenty years to set up," Higa said. "Many family members of the workers have donated items."

In addition to the Haunted Plantation event, the village does school tours, ethnic celebrations, holiday celebrations, tourist activities and even runs community gift shop.

"We hope to expand both the haunted plantation event but other activities as well," Higa said. "Noa has given us a higher profile."