Islands out of Thomas Cook history 1798. Depicted are the islands and the image of the killing of Captain Cook after he attempted to kidnap and ransom the king of Hawaii, Kalani’opu’u. “..., 14 February 1779, Cook marched through the village to retrieve the King. Cook took the King by his own hand and led him willingly away. One of Kalani’opu’u’s favorite wives, Kanekapolei and two chiefs approached the group as they were heading to the boats. They pleaded with the king not to go until he stopped and sat where he stood. An old kahuna (Priest), chanting rapidly while holding out a coconut, attempted to distract Cook and his men as a large crowd began to form at the shore.
The king began to understand that Cook was his enemy. As Cook turned his back to help launch the boats, he was struck on the head by the villagers and then stabbed to death as he fell on his face in the surf. He was first struck on the head with a club by a chief named Kalaimanokaho’owaha or Kana’ina ) namesake of Charles Kana’ina) and then stabbed by one of the king’s attendants, Nuaa. Note: Hawaiian Historical Society; Ingraham, Joseph; Meares, John; Cartwright, Bruce (1791). Extracts from Voyages Made in the Years 1788 and 1789. Note: O. Gananath (1997). The Apotheosis of Captain Cook: European Mythmaking in the Pacific. Princeton University Press. 80 x 50 cm.

Provenance:
Collection J. Timmermans, Brussels. (VJ)