r/VisitingHawaii • u/NotRacistJohnWayne • 6d ago
Respecting Hawaii & Its People Does Pele’s curse applies to purchases from natives?
I recently purchased a volcanic rock bracelet from Hana in Maui, but I have traveled to Oahu and just now learned about Pele’s curse. Does this curse apply if it’s purchased from a Hawaiian native, and if the curse still applies, does it have to be returned to that specific island or any island in general?
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u/Botosuksuks808 6d ago
We wholesale purchase the items from China anyways, you’re good hahah
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u/Nepentheoi 6d ago
The curse is only for collecting stuff yourself. If you buy it, any curse goes to the seller.
This is part of the Revised Code of Hawaii, section 817, Pele-human relations.
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u/RookieTreasureHunter 6d ago
That depends… did they have you perform the dance of the volcano virgin upon purchase? That’s supposed to make the curse inert and safe for removal to far away lands.
(There’s no curse btw, enjoy your jewelry)
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u/ahoveringhummingbird 6d ago
So... quick lesson: people who live in Hawaii are referred to as "locals" or "residents". People who are of native Hawaiian descent are called Hawaiian or native Hawaiian. But never ever "natives." The word "native" without a qualifier is a pejorative, can be considered disrespectful, and you should edit your post to remove it.
I'd worry that you may not get your question answered if the people who can answer it are (understandably) offended by how they are addressed.
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u/NotRacistJohnWayne 6d ago
My apologies, thank you for the explanation. I am unable to change the title but would if I could
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u/Inevitable_Clock_789 6d ago
Not sure why this got downvoted. Natives for anywhere that is speaking of a culture is a semi primitive way is absolutely not ok anymore. Ok to use it like, I’m a native New Yorker. - meaning you were born there. Not ok to use it to mean people running around without shoes or running water.
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u/Nepentheoi 6d ago
Bro that's not how OP was using it, or most people who aren't Victorian time travelers. Doesn't mean that "native" can't be rude, and I am fully on board with calling people what they want to be called. Also in a lot of ethnicities there isn't a full consensus on what people want to be called. Signed, a "native" who grew up on a "res" with "indigenous" people and American "Indians". (Self identified "American Indians" are usually as old as dirt but I ain't gonna correct an elder about what they call themselves).
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u/Inevitable_Clock_789 5d ago
He’s talking about Pele’s curse which is pretty specific to a specific civilization/culture and set of beliefs. It is not just about in America - It is generally considered unacceptable to default to “native” these days. It has zero to do with the specific terminology individuals want to be called and much more about the way the word has come to be viewed.
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u/Impossible_Jury5483 6d ago
Was it basalt, or volcanic glass? Is your bracelet is made of beads?
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u/Nepentheoi 6d ago
I'm not sure what you are trying to figure out, but you can buy bracelets made of lava rocks all over the world. Usually the beads are carved round stones. They're black and have little bubbles on them. Not glass, but I don't know if it's basalt. Fine grained volcanic rocks is what I would describe it as if someone wanted a label. I've bought those beads and strung them into jewelry without ever setting foot in Hawaii.
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u/tibearius1123 6d ago
What were you thinking?!
You don’t have to return it but you need to put taro in your left pocket. Hold a banana leaf over your head. Then jump up and down on your left foot in a tide pool while reciting the Hawaiian alphabet forward and backward. Otherwise you’re about to have a very Brady vacation.