Actress Jennifer Lawrence apologizes over comments on sacred Hawaii rocks

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence has apologized after many deemed her comments about sacred lava rocks in Hawaii offensive.

"I meant absolutely no disrespect to the Hawaiian people," Lawrence wrote, in a statement posted on Facebook. "I really thought that I was being self-deprecating about the fact that I was 'the curse,' but I understand the way it was perceived was not funny and I apologize if I offended anyone."

Lawrence made the comments during a recent interview on the Graham Norton show, and they've since gone viral online.

"We were filming in Hawaii and there were sacred rocks. And they were, I don't know, they were ancestors. Who knows? They were sacred and you're not supposed to sit on them because you're not supposed to expose your genitalia to them," she said.

She continued: "I, however, was in a Wetsuit for the whole shoot. ... (And) oh my good, they were so good for butt itching!"

Lawrence went on to describe how one rock she was "butt scratching on" came loose and rolled down a mountainside, nearly hitting a technician.

"It was a giant boulder and it rolled down this mountain and almost killed our sound guy," she said.

Many from Hawaii found the comments offensive.

"As a Native Hawaiian, this is super disrespectful and insulting," one woman on Facebook wrote.

Another posted: "I don't understand how someone could think it's funny to desecrate something important to others. I get she may not think it has any true importance but to put herself above so many?"

And Facebook user Nina Ki wrote, "This is absolutely disgusting. Don't disrespect and laugh at culture. If someone rubbed their butt on the rocks at Mount Rushmore and ruined it, would it be funny, too?"

The incident happened while Lawrence was in the islands filming "The Hunger Games."

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