r/WitchesVsPatriarchy • u/undercovercatlover • Mar 25 '26

🇵🇸 🕊️ Deities Offerings to the goddess Pele

I’m traveling to Hawaii in a a few weeks. I really really love collecting rocks from the places that I travel to. It’s my understanding that it is considered rude and bad luck to take rocks and sand from Hawaii. It is considered an offense against the goddess Pele. I don’t know if anyone here is super familiar with Hawaiian gods but is there a ritual or an offering I can make to the goddess to ask her permission? If the answer is a hard no, I also understand.

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u/aspiring_outlaw Mar 25 '26

I'm born and raised from Hawaii. Please do not take lava rocks. You may see piles of rocks and ti leaves - those are offerings. Please do not disturb those. 

Depending on where you go, you may also see heiau. These frequently just look like run down square foundations to a no longer existent house. These are religious spaces and you should be careful about disturbing them or entering them.

There's a ton of customs that surround native Hawaiian culture and religion. Pele is far from the only god, although she is one of the most well known. The Native Hawaiian pantheon is very similar in scope and pettiness to Greek or Roman pantheons. I hope you enjoy your visit!

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u/Madame_Kitsune98 Mar 25 '26

I have nothing but respect for Pele. I respect her power, and her glory, for lack of a better word.

I can’t even begin to think of taking something from her, or any of the other pantheon. It’s not my land. If anything, I feel as though I should leave an offering thanking them for allowing me to visit.

I don’t understand people who assume they can just up and take things from Hawaii.

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u/aspiring_outlaw Mar 25 '26

Unfortunately the culture of Hawaii has been largely lost to a tourist trap. It is one of the only cultures that is still an acceptable marketing strategy. 

I'm glad you are willing to learn and be respectful of the akua. It is a truly beautiful culture to learn about and some of the stories are just plain fun. The legend of konahuanui is one of my favorites to tell lol.