The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ALL DURING MY CHILDHOOD IN HONOLULU, HAWAII, I KEPT THE
SACRED TRADITION OF SALUTING THE "CAPTAIN"--A LARGE
ROCK AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NEAR THE PALI (THE CLIFF WHERE
KAMEHAMEHA MADE HIS FAMOUS LEAP). IT WAS SAID THAT ONE
MUST SALUTE IN ORDER TO INSURE SAFETY ON WHAT WAS THEN
A TORTUROUS ROUTE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. NO ONE SEEMED TO
KNOW WHERE THE CUSTOM STARTED, BUT IT WAS VERY OLD.

Where learned: HAWAII ; HONOLULU

Date learned: CHILDHOOD