![]() ![]() In 1779, Ka`awaloa was a thriving village of grass thatched houses, tidy stone walls, an important temple complex, healthy coconut palms, and numerous inhabitants. Who knows if Twain’s sarcastic words stung the British Empire or whether the upcoming 100th anniversary of his death spurred it into action? When American Mark Twain visited Kaawaloa in 1866, he mocked the mighty empire that remembered Cook with such a miserable edifice. Over the years, visiting sea captains had covered the stump with copper sheets taken from the hulls of their ships, inscribing dates and names in the soft metal. Up until that time, much to Britain’s disgrace, Cook’s only monument at the place of his death was a coconut stump. ![]() In it you will discover how British Commissioner Wodehouse traveled on board HMS Scout from Honolulu to Kona to see Cook’s memorial obelisk erected. To learn more about this astronomical endeavor, Michael Chauvin’s wonderful book Hokuloa (Bishop Museum Press, 2004) is a must read. The tall white spire to the right is the concrete monument erected to Cook’s memory in 1874 by men aboard HMS Scout, a British naval vessel which came to the islands carrying that country’s Transit of Venus scientific expedition. This photograph was probably taken in the late 19th century, although possibly it dates from the early 20th century. Today Ka`awaloa is famous by its association with Captain James Cook for it was on these rocks England’s great navigator and explorer was killed on February 14, 1779. It was a happening place and home of Hawaii’s most royal hosts and hostesses during the last quarter of the 18th century. Here is view of Ka`awaloa, at one time a Hawaiian village and royal residence on Kealakekua Bay’s northern edge. ![]()
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