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Modern History of Hawaii
Captain Cook Part IModern History of Hawaii starts with Captain Cook.There is at least one obscure record of Spanish sailors being shipwrecked in Hawaii, but most accounts record first outside contact with Europeans, with Captain Cook in Hawaii, in 1778. That is when things changed. Hawaii now experienced the benefits, and problems associated with contact with other cultures.
For the first time, Hawaiians could then trade for things they didn't produce themselves. They traded weapons, tools, fabrics, and metals. They expanded their diet, and clothing. Contact with the outside world also gave them new ideas and knowledge. But, these benefits came hand in hand with many problems, such as alcohol addiction and firearms. The outsiders ways and customs, challenged the Kapu system, by eating with women, and pulling their boats into water ways reserved for royal canoes. This contact also spread disease.
On January 18, 1778 James Cook was on this third voyage to find the Northwest Passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. His destination was towards the arctic, but on the way, he stumbled upon The Hawaiian Islands. First, members of his party spotted O’ahu, and Kaua’i, and then Ni’ihau. He went ashore for the first time in Waimea Kaua'i. The Hawaiians were amazed at what they saw: Beings breathing fire, who possessed death dealing instruments, and with strangely shaped heads. The British were smoking pipes, carried guns, and wore three-cornered hats.
Captain Cooks’ ships left February 2, of that same year, to continue its journey. It sailed along the coast of what is now known as Alaska, Canada, and the west coast of the United States. After failure to find the Northwest Passage, they returned to the Hawaiian Islands for food and repairs. Though Maui was so close that they could see it, weather conditions kept the ships from anchoring for 7 weeks.
On January 17, 1779, the ships finally were able to sail into Kealekekua Bay on the Big Island. The visitors were warmly welcomed. Because of Cooks appearance, being a 6ft 4in white man, and because he arrived in a huge ship, the Hawaiians believed he was the god Lono. In History of Hawaii, Lono was the god that made the land fertile. Every year Lono would come and make the land fertile and replenished after war, bringing spring rain. Cook also arrived at Kealekekua Bay, exactly the place where legend said Lono would arrive.
The Hawaiians worked very hard to please their god, but after a while they grew suspicious. If these men were gods, why did one of them die?
With over 200 men to feed, the Hawaiians were suffering terrible hardship in providing so much food for their visitors. Once the British had completely depleted the food supply in that area, they decided it was time to leave. Cook departed on February 4th, but shortly after leaving he had to return to the Island once more for repairs, due to a broken mast.
At first he did not see anyone. A chief had declared the area Kapu to help replenish the land. When he found the Hawaiians, they did not greet them as graciously as they did the first time, and they wondered what more he could possibly want from them.
To learn more History of Hawaii and what happened to Captain Cook in Hawaii, continue to Captain Cook Part II.
Kamehameha the Great
Queen Liliuokalani
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Captain Cook Part II
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