Hawaii takes pride in its culture and representation of its people. Hawaii has a diverse population, many of whom are of Asian descent. It is a place many people go to visit, to relax, and to find themselves. A lot of tourists visit the islands without knowing the true history that they hold. The islands of Hawaii carry so many secrets in the soil of their land. The urban legends of Hawaii are said to protect the islands and their people.
Nightmarchers
One of the most common urban legends of Hawaii is the ghosts called the Nightmarchers. The Nightmarchers are ancient Hawaiian warriors and soldiers that only travel during the night. These ghosts are spirits that anyone would be terrified to encounter. Nightmarchers make their presence known through several sounds, roaring sounds of drums and a warning sound of a conch shell. Legend says if you share a bloodline with a Hawaiian warrior or soldier, you will be safe. The movie Finding ‘Ohana is one of the few movies that show a representation of Hawaii’s Urban Legends.
‘Finding ‘Ohana’ Image by IMDb
Pele on Saddle Road
This urban legend takes place on the Big Island of Hawaii. Legend says if you are ever driving on Saddle Road and come across an older Hawaiian woman with white hair on the side of the road, you pick her up and take her to wherever she says to go. The older woman is supposedly the Goddess Pele, if you do not pick her up then you become cursed. This legend tells the tale of two men, one who picks her up and one who doesn’t. Later on, when a volcano erupts, the man, who refused to pick up the elderly woman, house was destroyed by the lava. However, the man who did pick her up was fortunately safe from the volcano eruption.
If you are ever on Saddle Road, a tourist or resident, always pick up the elderly lady with white hair on the side of the road. You never know what disasters you could avoid if you do.
Other Legends
Some other urban legends tourists should be aware of before visiting the islands of Hawaii:
Don’t whistle at night. This is said to bring you bad luck and summon the Nightmarchers. I already mentioned what the tale of the Nightmarchers involves, it is best to not intentionally invite them.
Don’t take lava rocks. If you take a lava rock from the islands, you are then cursed. This is because the lava rocks are known as a very sacred part of the islands and must remain with the island.
Don’t take pork over Pali Road in Oahu. Legend says that Oahu is split in two, one side belonging to Pele, the goddess of fire, and the other to Kamapuaa, the pig-man god. They were once lovers but ended on very bad terms. If one were to bring pork to Pele’s side of the island, they would be cursed until they return the pork to Kamapuaa’s side of the island.
Urban Legends Seen by Locals
Hawaii local Nathaniel Palacay grew up on the island of Oahu. He discusses with me a few urban legends he and his family have seen happen. He mentions that he was once training on the beach when he looked back and saw a woman in the distance, she was wearing a long flowy white dress and had long white/gray hair. When he looked away and then looked back, she was gone. About a week later a volcano erupted and everything connected. The woman he saw was Pele, the goddess of fire.
Nathaniel also recalls a moment when his family was on vacation on another island. His cousin had picked up a lava rock and brought it in the car without the rest of his family knowing. On the drive back to their hotel, they kept getting lost. They were driving for over an hour trying to get back to their hotel. It wasn’t until his cousin said he took a lava rock and his whole family yelled at him to throw it out that they were able to find their hotel again.
One may never know when and if they will be affected by these urban legends in Hawaii. However, it is good to be aware of them in case you ever are. You must simply be respectful of the islands you are visiting, or even live on. While you may not believe these folktales and superstitions, it is a part of their culture and is used to preserve the beauty of the islands.
