The spooky season has begun a bit early this year. Here's what's on the haunted-house radar and what we think could really rock the Spook-o-Meter (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "My heart just exploded!"):

• The Easter Seals ninth annual Haunted House. Chills and thrills are promised for adults (7 to 8 on the Spook-o-Meter — this is Easter Seals, after all); but there's also a children's area, with a mini carnival, face-painting and other activities (whew! 1 on the Spook-o-Meter).

Hours: 6 to 11 p.m. today at the Easter Seals Hawaii Adult Day Center, 91-1251 Renton Road, 'Ewa Beach. Admission is $5; $1 for the keiki area and $1 face painting. 681-0747, www.eastersealshawaii.org.

• Shockhouse. Yow, with attractions called The Gruesome Graveyard, "Saw" Torture Chamber, The Autopsy and seven other rooms of gore, this should hit from 8 to 10 on the meter — we hope, because that's what you expect if you're paying $10 at the door, $7.50 advance.

Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight today, 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Halloween, 5 p.m. to midnight Nov. 1 at what's called the Blaisdell Mansion (enter near the Galleria). 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

• Haunted Lagoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center. This is a new entry on the Halloween scene, featuring a twilight canoe ride (sounds eerie!) and possibly the appearance of the mysterious, vengeful and ghostly La'ie Lady. We'll guess it's about a 6 to 8 on the Spook-o-Meter because ghosts are scary! OK, we're calm now: There's also a keiki version for the whole family (1 to 3 on the meter).

Hours: 6:30 to 9 p.m. today and Monday to Friday. Admission is $8 for those 16 and older, $5 for those ages 5 to 15. 293-3333.

• Haunted Plantation, at Hawaii's Plantation Village, is not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with heart conditions. Just looking at the photos gives us a 7 on the meter; if you go, expect a ... 15? Mommy!

Hours: 7 to 11:30 p.m. today, tomorrow and Halloween. Go early, because last year they sold out two hours before closing each night. Admission is $7; only for those 10 and older, and those 16 and younger require adult supervision. www.myspace.com/thehauntedplantation.