Why did the Hawaiians kill Captain Cook in 1779?

Answer 1

Cook was on his third journey, and returning to England in 1779. He had already visited the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii) on his outward journey where, due to an unusual combination of circumstances, he was perceived to be a certain god returning from across the sea. The natives revered him and treated him exceptionally well, and when they saw him off, it was with all the ceremonial pomp they reserved for their most highly honoured gods.

Cook then returned to Hawaii on his return trip to England, but this was perhaps his biggest mistake. For a start, his 'god' persona was not supposed to return, and his return caused some suspicions among the natives that he was perhaps not who they had thought he was. In trying to recover one of the ship's boats, which had been stolen by Polynesian islanders, or possibly while they were trying to send his boats away from the island again, Cook was attacked and killed by the natives, using spears (some reports say clubs), on the beach at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. The date of Cook's death was 14 February 1779.

There are reports that he was cannibalised, but cannibalism was not actively practised in Hawaii at this time. It seems his body was prepared in an unusual ritual, which may have seemed like cannibalism to those of his crew who witnessed it. Because he had originally been regarded as a god by the natives, his heart was divided between tribal chiefs and eaten. his hands were stuffed with salt to preserve them, whilst many of his bones were placed around the island, given to other significant tribal chiefs. His remains were then returned to his crew in dignified fashion, with a cloak of white and black feathers, where they were placed in a small coffin and buried at sea.

Answer 2

On his third journey, commencing in 1776, Cook visited and named the Sandwich Islands, now known as Hawaii, and unsuccessfully sought a northwest passage along the coast of North America. Returning from this journey, he stopped at Hawaii again. After a boat was stolen by natives, he and his crew had an altercation with the Hawaiians. On 14 February 1779, Cook was speared and killed by Hawaiian natives.

Answer 3

Captain Cook was killed by Hawaiians whilst he was trying to recover some stolen property, 14th Feb. 1779

Answer 4

For overreacting to a Hawaiian's theft of a small boat