![]() ![]() So, the natives had realized that Cook and his men were mere mortals.Ĭaptain Cook, who didn’t witness the scene, decided on February 14, 1779, to go on the offensive: he got his gun and armed a few of his men and went into the village of Kowrowa where there was the King of Hawaii. However, soon things got out of hand, and thension reached its peak when one of the locals was somehow struck down with an oar.Īccidentally or not, although he soon recovered and tried to return the peace, his fellow Hawaiians already had the Cook crew cornered in the surf where they were pelt them with rocks. Initially the Hawaiians, thinking they were returning gods, gave them a warm welcome and held a feast in their honor. James Cook (the British explorer who discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778) was already popular for traveling (and mapping) the unexplored waters of the world when his crew landed just at Kealakekua Bay on Januin order to repair a broken mast. The obelisk is understandably controversial: in fact some Hawaiians see it as a tribute to a man who invaded their islands and whose presence forever changed their land. Just behind the obelisk in the forest are the ruins of the ancient village of Kaawaloa, a sort of inverse memorial to the Hawaii, a world that was changed after the arrival of outsiders that was marked by Captain Cook’s visit. This monument was erected in November A.D. 1770, and fell near this spot on the 14th of February, A.D. N., who discovered these islands on the 10th of January, A.D. The plaque reads the following: “ In memory of the great circumnavigator, Captain James Cook, R. The small plaque marks the exact spot where Captain Cook is believed to have died. A plaque rests on the base of the structure, telling the story of his arrival and death in Hawaii. Rising up against the sky, the tall white spire strikes a beautiful contrast against its natural surroundings: the rugged ground, the high cliffs and the lush surrounding vegetation. The obelisk was set up as a memorial by his compatriots in 1878, on a land that, while still technically part of the United States, is owned by the British. Once the monument is reached, as previously stated, the lookout is simply marvelous, where additionally picnic tables, barbecues and toilet facilities are provided at the scenic headland, for those who would like to spend the day at the monument.We are on the Big Island of Hawaii, precisely at Kealakekua Bay, where an 8-meters-high obelisk looms up from the coastal forest to remember the place where British explorer Captain Cook met his violent end. Accessible via Duncombe Bay Road, there are trails which have signs ‘Captain Cook’s’ that also lead to the monument. Built out of stones that differ in size, it is one of the most important places on the island.Īlso, Cathedral Rock which is an interesting rocky isle, is located on the right side of the site, together with the rest of the smaller islets that have interesting shapes. Captain Cook Monument is a small memorial that symbolizes the landing place of Captain James Cook and his officers, which is located in the Territory of Norfolk Island, which is part of the Commonwealth of Australia.Īs it is located on the north side of the island, the monument was erected in 1953, which is a simple small obelisk with a bronze plaque that has an inscription that reads: “Captain James Cook, RN, on his second voyage around the world discovered and named this island Norfolk Isle, landing in the vicinity of this point on October 10, 1774′.įrom there the visitors can head down the lookout that is on a cliff-top above the Pacific Ocean offering stunning views of the surrounding smaller islets. ![]()
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