Murray blames Pele. According to the beliefs of some Hawaiians, Pele is the volcano goddess who punishes people who dare take something that belongs to her. Each year thousands of visitors pass through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and each year a little of the park goes home with them. And, after months or years of hard luck, many tourists send back the purloined rocks, sand and shells to park headquarters or the local post office. I took it.
Packages come from around the world, often filled with reports of misfortune and calamity.
The postmaster at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park station, Dave Kell, opens Pele's mail. Another box contains black sand, shells and rocks of all sizes. But Mr Kell's office is inundated, and it has been going on for years. We believe that every rock has its function and a name and a place it should be.