Captain Cook in Hawaiʻi (1778 to 1779)

British explorer Captain James Cook was the first recorded European to reach Hawaiʻi, landing at Waimea, Kauaʻi, in January 1778. On his return a year later he anchored at Kealakekua Bay on Hawaiʻi Island, where he was killed in a clash with Hawaiians on February 14, 1779. A white obelisk at Kaʻawaloa on the bay marks the spot.

• Arrival: Cook's ships Resolution and Discovery reached Waimea, Kauaʻi, in January 1778. A monument and marker stand in Waimea town.
• Kealakekua Bay: Cook returned in late 1778 and anchored at Kealakekua during the Makahiki season. After he left and returned for repairs, tensions grew; he was killed on February 14, 1779.
• Monument: a 27-foot white obelisk (1874) at Kaʻawaloa on the north side of the bay. Reach it by permitted kayak tour, snorkel boat, or the steep Kaʻawaloa Trail (about 3.8 miles round trip).
• Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District with excellent snorkeling; Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is just south.
• Cook's arrival brought trade, new tools and also devastating diseases that sharply reduced the Native Hawaiian population in the decades that followed.

Sources: Hawaii-Guide: Captain Cook Monument (Waimea, Kauaʻi) · Historical Marker Database: Waimea, Kauaʻi

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.