Hawaii hosts millions of visitors every year and a couple of the prime reasons is for its beautiful beaches and National Parks. Before visitors return home, they purchase souvenirs, however, a few decide to take natural resources. So… what happens if you take sand or rocks from Hawaii back home with you?
What Will Happen?
Well I can think of three things that will happen…
- You’ll have a beautiful souvenir of your visit to Hawaii. Show it to your friends and family, the beautiful white, black or red sand you got at the beach or maybe the jagged lava rock that almost cut your toe.
- You’ll get busted at the airport, maybe taken into custody, maybe receive a fine, maybe get off with a warning.
- You’ll get home and be plagued by bad luck and misfortune until you return what was taken.
The Local
If you ever visit Haleakala or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a National Park Ranger, will probably remind you to not take sand or rocks home with you. For one, they may be of Hawaiian ancestry and are well versed of the Legend of Pele and they also know that there is a law against taking Hawaii’s natural resources.
If asked or observed, every local will tell you that you shouldn’t do it.
… What do the locals know?!?!
The Legend
Pele is the goddess of volcanoes and fire. Don’t mess with this female diety that could spit fire at you! Those lava rocks come out of the volcanoes and over time turn into sand. It’s kinda like messing with her creations.
There are stories of people having nightmares, coincidental health problems, and other misfortune that lead them to return what they took as fast as they could. Believe it or not. I’ve lived in Hawaii the first 2/3rd of my life and have experienced a handful of spiritual encounters. I’m not taking my chances with Hawaiian Folklore.
Do you know why Kilauea erupted? It might very well be because too many visitors brought home sand and rocks and she was fed up.
… That’s just made up stuff, I ain’t scared?!?!?!
The Law
If what the locals say goes in one ear and out the other and you don’t believe in myths or superstition, maybe the law could be a deterrent. Taking sand or rocks is listed in the Hawaii Revised Statues. Whether it is enforced or not is another story, however, it is there for Law Enforcement to throw at you. Other countries are very serious about this kind of theft, so be mindful.
… They aren’t gonna arrest me over sand or rocks?!?!?!
Watch out for that Hawaii Five-0!
Where to Mail it Back?
Believe it or not, people will send their sand and rock souvenirs back to the following addresses after either doing what’s right or going through some unfortunate event. Some will even make a special trip back to Hawaii and return it personally. Here are places that will gladly accept those precious resources:
Division of State Parks – P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809 Honolulu, HI 96809, USA
Haleakala National Park – P.O. Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768-0369 Makawao, HI, USA
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – P.O. Box 52, Hawai’i National Park, HI 96718-0052 HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, HI 96718, USA
Kokee National History Museum – P.O. Box 100, Kekaha, HI 96752 Kekaha, HI, USA
Summary
You don’t know what you don’t know, but now you know. If you have been struck by misfortune… since… maybe you took home some sand or rocks from a Hawaiian island, nows your chance to return it. If you haven’t been to Hawaii and planning on visiting soon, let this be a reminder of what not to do. Take lots of pictures and buy lots of souvenirs and keep sakes but there is no need to take the very things that make Hawaii beautiful.
If you are ever in Hawaii and on the island of Oahu, the Bishop Museum is a fascinating place to visit.
Hold on… I have a FREE travel check list template you can have, we always use this on travel and it helps us not forget anything.
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