Returning ‘Bad Luck’ Volcanic Rocks to Hawaii
While collecting souvenirs from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or Haleakala National Park is generally prohibited, some tourists disregard the rules and often take pumice stones home. Not only is this practice illegal, but it is also considered disrespectful in Hawaiian culture.
Tourists sometimes take volcanic rocks from the Kilauea volcano. Still, Hawaii National Park officers receive numerous returned stones every year with claims that they brought bad luck from Pele, the goddess associated with fire, dance, lightning, volcanoes, and violence.
