I was born and raised in Hawaii. I wish tourists knew these 12 things before they visited.

• It’s important to respect the Hawaiian people, their culture, and the land.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen, stick to the speed limit, and be aware of local superstitions and rules. 

Being local does not equate to being Hawaiian.

It is also said that the island will “spit you back out” if you’re not energetically aligned with it, so do not try to force a permanent move.

Trust me when I say that if you are meant to be here, the island will make it known.

Honor the Hawaiian superstitions.

This one will require a bit more research, as the stories and superstitions can differ among islands.

Some universal unspoken rules are never to remove rocks from the island or risk the wrath of Pele — a ton of rocks are returned every month because visitors who take them home as a souvenir start having bad luck.

Additionally, if you hear drums and see a line of warriors carrying torches, run and hide to avoid a deadly encounter with the ghostly Night Marchers.

Whether you’re a believer or not, these warnings are meant to keep you safe, so I advise you to heed them if you find yourself in one of these situations.

This story was originally published on March 11, 2022, and most recently updated on June 18, 2026.