Voyages to Hawaii by Captain Cook

The history of exploration is rife with fantastic and wonderful accounts of adventure. There is none quite as fantastic as Captain Cook’s discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. It happened on his third and final voyage. By this time, Cook had honorably retired from the Royal Navy. After returning from his second trip, however, Cook could not resist the lure of another voyage and set sail again.

By this time, Cook was already recognized as a very accomplished explorers, having accomplished the highest of honors in English society and of European society in general. His previous discoveries had made England the forerunner in exploration of the New World. At the same time, his many accomplishments had given him a somewhat large ego and distorted perspective. According to some accounts, he was prone to outbursts and his health was suffering.

The original goal of the journey was to discover the famed Northwest Passage. As he began his third journey, Cook first explored the coast of California, then traveling up the Western coast of what would become the United States. Then he sailed up to the Bering Strait, but was unable to continue further. Instead, he turned back around, sailing to the Hawaiian Islands.

Cook sailed into Waimea, Kauai, becoming the first European to visit the island chain. Landing in January, 1778, he named the islands the “Sandwich Islands” after the fourth Earl of Sandwich. His arrival happened to coincide with the native celebration of Makahiki which was a harvest celebration honoring the Hawaiian god, Lono. Cook’s arrival navigated the Bay in the same way it was said that the god Lono arrived and the look and appearance of the ship made it look as if their God Lono had landed on their shores. He was received with reverence and honor, and he and his crew were given the best of treatment from the Hawaiians.

After his time on the Island of Hawaii, Cook set out to return to the Northwest Pacific coast to once again attempt to sail the Bering Strait. Unfortunately his ship suffered a broken mast, forcing Cook to turn back to Hawaii, landing in Kealakekua Bay on the Island of Hawaii in 1779. This time, the reception was much different, as he was met by hostile Hawaiian natives. It is believed that the reason behind the change has to do with timing. The first visit was timed during a celebration associated with peace. In addition, it is believed that Cook's view of the world and the importance of Europeans within it also contributed to the breakdown of relations with the Hawaiians.

The Hawaiians captured one of the smaller boats of Cook’s expedition. Captain James Cook himself perished on February 14, 1779, from a knife wound received in battle with Hawaiian natives, and several of his officers died with him in this battle. Still, Cook's travels were not in vain. Much of what we know of ancient Hawaiian civilization comes from journals created during this voyage. Sadly, they depict a culture that would soon be overtaken by European explorers and missionaries traveling in the wake of Captain Cook's voyage.