Charles Redfern, a recent purchaser of a grand Tudor mansion in Nu’uanu, embarked on an ambitious plan that ultimately led to his demise. Acquiring the historic estate, which sprawls across seventeen acres and stands out amid the more modern southern plantation houses in the area, Redfern quickly encountered unsettling phenomena. Within a month of moving in, he reported seeing apparitions in the master bedroom and guest house, along with eerie flaming orbs drifting across the property’s expanse. However, the most startling experience came when he witnessed a ghostly tableau in his living room.
“I saw an entire scene materialize out of thin air,” Redfern recounted. “The figures stood still for a moment before chatting and laughing as if oblivious to my presence. Then they moved outside, huddling together and gazing up at the night sky as if witnessing a miraculous event. They vanished just as abruptly as they appeared.”
Curious about these manifestations, I asked, “Did you overhear any conversations or catch any details of their interactions?”
“No,” Redfern responded. “It was all silent. They acted as if I wasn’t there at all.”
“Like a party that continued whether you were present or not?” I probed.
“Exactly,” he confirmed.
When I asked how I could assist him, I assumed that Redfern, being a wealthy man who had just invested ten million dollars in the property, would want to resolve the hauntings. To my surprise, his request was unconventional.
“If there are more spirits on the property, I want you to draw them out,” Redfern said. “Encourage them to manifest as often as possible. I’ll pay well for your services.”
I understood his plan immediately. “You want to turn this into a tourist attraction,” I said. “Create a website, partner with Waikiki travel desks and tour buses. It’s a gold mine, right?”
“Exactly,” he agreed.
Yet, I realized the risks involved. “You’re a witness to these phenomena, but you can’t control their appearances. You want them on a regular schedule?”
Redfern sighed in relief. “Yes, you understand.”
I warned him about potential issues with the neighborhood board and zoning regulations, thinking it might deter him. “Let me handle that,” Redfern said. “There’s always a politician looking for a little extra cash.”
I then expressed my concerns. “We’re a psychic investigative team, not conjurers. The hauntings you’ve witnessed are localized. The property also houses kupua (shapeshifters), kupu’eu (mischievous beings), and night marchers. The main entity, a Mo’o Wahine, resides in an artesian well near the pool house. Attempting to draw out all these spirits could lead to disaster.”
Despite my warnings, Redfern’s focus remained solely on profit. “I’m taking notes,” he said, seemingly undeterred by my advice. “What was that last bit about?”
“You’ll have to find that out on your own,” I said firmly, then turned off my phone and returned to work.
A month later, the story took a dark turn. Redfern’s body was discovered near the pool house, one leg submerged in the hidden artesian well. The other leg showed deep bruised finger marks, and his lips were dark and swollen. A strange, slime-like substance covered his skin. The cause of death was undetermined but appeared to be internal drowning. The mansion was soon listed for sale at a significantly reduced price of three million dollars, but it remained unsold for over a year.
Occasionally, I drive by the property and stand outside the gate. The Nu’uanu wind offers a soothing, serene atmosphere, a stark contrast to the tragic events that unfolded. Personally, I hope it remains untouched and tranquil.
Before Redfern purchased the mansion, my wife and I had toured the estate with a realtor friend. We sensed residual and harmless spirits on the property, with more active entities roaming the grounds. However, the most powerful presence was the Mo’o Wahine in the artesian well. It is my belief that Redfern either discovered this entity through research or stumbled upon it by accident, leading to his untimely death.
In retrospect, my reluctance to share detailed information about the Mo’o Wahine was a precaution. I feared it would contribute to his downfall. Unfortunately, my concerns proved valid.
