Pele, Volcano Goddess

In Hawaiian mythology, the goddess Pele governs volcanic activities on all the islands. Her tempestuous reputation may account for the packages of rocks that have been arriving almost daily since the mid-1980s at both Maui’s Haleakala National Park, site of the dormant Haleakala Crater, and Hawaii’s Volcano National Park, home of Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. Sometimes letters explain why the rocks are being sent back: tales of misfortune.

What does it mean?

Rock senders are attempting to divest themselves of misfortune believed to have been caused by removing rocks from the Hawaiian national parks. Like the flora and fauna contained within U.S. national parks, rocks too are protected resources, so removing them is illegal. Some senders apologize and claim innocence, stating that at the time they were unaware that they were breaking the law. By returning the rocks, they hope to ease their conscience and revoke their bad luck.

Some sources attribute the association of bad luck with rock removal to a tour bus driver trying to discourage his passengers from taking souvenirs, yet others are convinced that misfortune results from offending the goddess Pele, noted for her fury. Believers say that bad luck befalls anyone who takes away pieces of her lava.

Norine Dresser’s latest book is “Multicultural Celebrations” (Three Rivers Press, 1999). E-mail: norined@earthlink.net.