In a quiet corner of a long-established drug store, a spectral mystery unfolded that demanded discreet intervention. The store’s owners wanted to keep the ghostly disturbances under wraps, fearing it might alarm their employees and customers. However, the nightly apparitions of two ghosts—one a Hawaiian police officer in an old olive drab uniform, the other a Japanese man in a white shirt with a black tie—had become an open secret among the graveyard shift workers. These spirits seemed to materialize randomly, causing considerable unease among the staff.
This case seemed like a perfect fit for the Grant Society. After dealing with a string of intense cases involving exorcisms and debunking fraudulent psychics, our team needed a change of pace. The prospect of investigating a ghostly phenomenon that didn’t involve immediate life-threatening scenarios was a welcome shift.
Our new team members, Smitty and his wife Leslie from Illinois, were eager to jump in. Smitty, a former police officer turned psychic, and Leslie, a skilled librarian, were ready to lend their expertise. Tanya, my wife, and Leslie bonded over their mutual love of books and cataloging, forming an impressive team to research historical records. They were tasked with digging into the history of the property, which had once been a market before becoming a drug store in 2011.
Smitty’s research uncovered a harrowing event from 1964 that seemed to explain the ghostly disturbances. Back then, the market had been the site of a violent robbery. Armed robbers had taken hostages, including the store manager, and locked them in the upstairs office. One of the robbers, Hans Schimmer, shot and killed a stock clerk named Nagata. When the police arrived, Officer Ekala, a burly Hawaiian man, engaged in a fierce shootout with the robbers. Despite being shot, Officer Ekala fought valiantly, ultimately succumbing to his injuries only after the situation was under control.
This tragic and intense history was the key to understanding the hauntings. Smitty and I decided to investigate the drug store, blending in with the nightly operations to avoid alarming anyone. Armed with the knowledge of past events, we planned to observe the ghosts’ activities discreetly.
The investigation began quietly, with only a few interruptions from drunk college students. By 4 a.m., the atmosphere shifted, and the store took on a peculiar, ozone-like scent. Smitty confirmed the presence of the ghosts with a sense of urgency. Leslie reported seeing Officer Ekala in the office, while I encountered Nagata’s ghost.
Nagata’s apparition was particularly striking. He appeared as a misty figure with a noticeable bloodstain, his lower half obscured by fog. He wandered through the store, seemingly agitated. Meanwhile, Smitty faced a challenge—how to communicate with Nagata despite the language barrier. As a psychic, Smitty was accustomed to interacting with spirits, but this situation required him to relay crucial information to a ghost seeking revenge.
After a few tense moments, Smitty connected with Nagata, explaining his death and the passage of time. He relayed the news of Nagata’s killer’s fate—deported back to Germany, where he died en route to Nuremberg. This revelation seemed to calm Nagata, but his desire for revenge lingered.
I proposed a different approach. Instead of seeking revenge, I suggested Nagata become the guardian of the drug store, protecting it from any future misfortune. This offer of redemption seemed to resonate with Nagata. His demeanor shifted from anger to a sense of duty, and he accepted the role with a bow before fading away.
The store’s management was relieved by the resolution and offered us discount cards as a token of their appreciation. We graciously accepted and headed back to our SUV. As Smitty and Leslie used their discount cards for snacks and drinks, Tanya and I reflected on the night’s events. We ended the evening watching the sunrise at Kaimana Beach, a serene conclusion to a challenging investigation.
In December, we received a heartfelt invitation from the Ekala family to attend a memorial for Officer Ekala, marking the 52nd anniversary of his passing. The event was a touching tribute, and we felt honored to participate. Celebrating his legacy with the Ekala family, surrounded by festive cheer and good company, was a fitting end to our involvement in this poignant case.
