We all want to take home a Hawaii souvenir from our vacation, and though it might be tempting to go the free route for a souvenir, it isn’t necessarily the best option. One of the biggest warnings you will receive when you are visiting any Hawaiian Island is to leave the lava rocks alone! This is especially true when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, where lava rocks are widely found and the temptation to stick one in your bag or your pocket is high.
The story is very common, and we don’t want you to be another tale that the park rangers, postal workers, and residents of the islands tell. Visitor visits the volcano, ignores the warnings to not remove lava rocks from the islands, and encounters dreadful bad luck. This is something that is commonly shared, and the proof resides in the countless packages of lava rocks that are mailed back to Hawaii, often accompanied by a note that expresses regret and remorse for removing the lava rock.
When visiting the volcano, or anywhere in Hawaii, there are local legends that are shared, and the legend of the volcano should not be ignored. These rocks belong to Madam Pele, the Fire Goddess who is responsible for the creation of the islands. Any item that is removed from Hawaii falls under “Pele’s Curse” and visitors to the islands should be aware of this when visiting. Now, there is great debate regarding the validity of the curse, with many believing that the curse originated with Park Rangers and Tour Guides growing tired of the amount of rocks being removed, though there is a strong belief that the curse of Pele is real. Whichever you choose to believe, it is important to remember that removing any item from a national park is illegal.
If you are planning on heading to the volcano on a Hawaii Volcano Tour, please remember to respect the islands and everything within it, including the lava rocks. Though there is debate about the curse, the ramifications are in fact real, and many visitors each year encounter a string of bad luck following their trip. Lava rocks are part of the island and the last thing that you want to encounter following your dream vacation is bad luck. You can find Hawaii souvenirs all over the islands, and the best souvenir is a beautiful picture of the volcano and the natural beauty it contains.
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Hawaii tours and activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
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