Flavor of Maui

Hawaiian Superstitions

Many visitors are understandably tempted to take some beautiful lava rocks home from their Hawaiian vacation souvenirs. Be cautious: this practice can anger ‘Pele,’ the Hawaiian volcano goddess.

Pele is the best known of the legendary Hawaiian demigods. She has created and destroyed with fire. Pele has a quick temper and takes offenses seriously, and is very protective of her lava rocks.

Since Pele created the islands with lava and volcanoes, lava rocks are like her flesh and blood, pieces of her being. It’s said that misfortune will be fall anyone who removes lava rock away from Hawaii.

There used to be a large display at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park of lava rocks sent back to Hawaii by visitors who have had bad luck since taking the rocks home. Many letters of apology accompanied the rocks begging Pele for forgiveness. The display became too large to maintain — even for the Big Island. If you have done so and have fallen on bad luck and would like to return lava rocks you have taken from any Hawaiian Island you can return the rocks to Pele via mail to: Pele, c/o Headquarters, Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, HI 96785.

The saying to “Take only pictures; leave only footprints” applies well in Hawaii. Besides, the islands were formed by lava. So, if everyone who left Hawaii took rocks, soon there would be no Hawaii left to visit.