Your Must-Know List of Hawaii’s Diverse Local Superstitions
- Don’t bring bananas on a boat.
- Don’t take sand from the beach or lava rocks from a volcano outside of Hawaii.
- If you visit a Hawaii Island volcano, offer ohelo berries to Pele.
- Don’t whistle at night.
What are the superstitions in Hawaii?
Hawaiian Superstitions
- Don’t take a lava rock from the volcano, or sand/rock from the beaches in Hawaii—you will be cursed by the fire goddess Pele!
- Don’t take pork on the Pali Highway—it will upset Pele!
- Don’t bring bananas onto a boat—it’s bad luck!
- Do not whistle at night—it will attract the Night Marchers!
What is considered bad luck in Hawaii?
Pele’s Curse is the belief that anything natively Hawaiian, such as sand, rock, or pumice, will bring bad luck on whoever takes it away from Hawaii.
What is considered good luck in Hawaii?
Hawaiian Flowers and Leis
Ancient Hawaiians used leis as symbols of love and friendship. By the 1800s, leis were thrown into the ocean for good luck whenever a sailor left the island. If the lei came back to shore, it was believed that meant the sailor would return.
What happens when you whistle at night in Hawaii?
“I like to whistle, but everyone around is like, ‘don’t whistle at night’,” Heck said. “So I try not to, and I’m conscious of it.” There are many stories in Hawaiian folklore that tells of how doing so will lead to bad luck; one being that it mimics the sound of Night marchers, the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors.
What should you not say to a Hawaiian?
8 Things You Should Never Say to Hawaiians
- 8 Things You Should Never Say to Hawaiians.
- Ask us if you need a passport to visit Hawaii.
- Tell us how funny we pronounce words like “Hawaii,” “Mahalo,” “Aloha,” etc.
- Littering is okay.
- Everyone from Hawaii is actually Hawaiian.
- Define “cold” for us.
What do I do if I see a night marcher?
If you come across the Night Marchers in a procession, it’s advised not to interrupt them. It is also believed that you should never look at them directly or you might meet your doom from a single deadly glance. If seen, remain quiet with your eyes averted.
Why shouldn’t you take rocks from Hawaii?
Not only is it illegal to remove anything from a national park, but it is just unwise to trifle with Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawaii. A legend, referred to as Pele’s Curse, says that visitors who take rocks or sand away from Hawaii will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned.
Is it bad luck to pick flowers from Hawaii?
(The heartbroken ghost of a woman known as the Green Lady lost one of her children there and will take yours if you do.) Don’t pluck red lehua flowers off the ohia tree. (If you do it means you’re separating star-crossed lovers Lehua and Ohia from each other, and it will start to rain.)
Is it illegal to take a lava rock from Hawaii?
HAWAII (CBS) – Tourism officials in Hawaii are reminding visitors not to take lava rocks home with them. Taking things from National Parks is against the law, so taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii’s volcanoes is illegal.
What does the turtle mean to Hawaiians?
good luck
To the Hawaiian people, sea turtles or “Honu,” are sacred creatures. They embody good luck, protection, endurance and long life.
What’s the Hawaiian word for love?
Aloha
Aloha – Hello
Okay, so this is one of the easiest Hawaiian phrases to remember. This tropical greeting is known around the world, but its literal meaning is ‘love’.
What is Aloha Nui Loa mean?
very much love, lots of love
very much love, lots of love.
What are Hawaiian spirits called?
The spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors called Night Marchers are said to travel in groups around the islands to revisit places where they fought fierce battles during their lifetimes. It’s said that those who make eye contact with these floating apparitions risk being swept away into the spirit world.
How do you reverse Pele’s curse?
Pele’s curse can last for days, months, and even years after picking the lava rocks. It’s believed that the only way to rid yourself of the curse is to return the “stolen” item to the island. This explains why numerous tourists write letters to the national park begging the rangers to return the rocks on their behalf.
Why can’t you take pork over the Pali?
The reason why you can’t take pork over the Pali highway is that Pele had a bad breakup the demigod Kamapua’a, who is half-man-half-pig. They can never see each other. So, if you bring pork over the highway, you are trying to bring Kamapua’a from one side of the island to the other.
How do you offend Hawaiians?
14 Foolproof Ways To Make Someone From Hawaii Cringe
- Tell us that we pronounce “Hawaii” funny.
- Drive like an idiot – or use your car horn.
- Referring to all locals as “Hawaiians.”
- Talk about your dislike of the beach.
- Trying to speak pidgin like the locals.
- Ask us if you need a passport to visit Hawaii.
Is it offensive to say mahalo?
Mahalo means “thank you.” If someone does you a kindness, don’t be shy about saying, “Mahalo,” to them. Locals will be pleased that you used this word.
Is it offensive to wear a lei?
Any lei is appropriate to use because all leis symbolize love, respect and appreciation.
How do you know if Night Marchers are coming?
Anyone living along their path may hear chanting, sounds of blown conch shell tones, and marching noises in the night. The following signs are a foul and musky “death-like” odor, and torches getting brighter and brighter as the night marchers get closer.
Are Night Marchers Real in Hawaii?
On Oahu’s windward coast in Kualoa Ranch, in an area said to hold the remains of hundreds of Hawaiian Chiefs, Night Marcher sightings are common, reportedly the cause of numerous nighttime vehicle accidents.