The Discovery of Hawaii. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. In late 1777, Cook accidentally discovered the Hawaiian Islands, starting with Kauai. The Hawaiians, who had never seen smoking or pockets, dubbed the sailors "volcano people." Cook realized these were

The Discovery of Hawaii. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. In late 1777, Cook accidentally discovered the Hawaiian Islands, starting with Kauai. The Hawaiians, who had never seen smoking or pockets, dubbed the sailors "volcano people." Cook realized these were Polynesians, leading him to marvel at the Polynesian diaspora and their incredible voyaging skills. Although he was in a hurry to reach Alaska, he went ashore unarmed to observe their sophisticated civilization, noting advanced aqueducts and agriculture. This find was historically significant, providing the first written description of Hawaiian culture, yet Cook refused to linger or explore the rest of the chain, driven by a frantic timeline to find the Northwest Passage. 6
1785 DEATH OF COOK