When Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, they only saw Kauai and distant glimpses of Oahu. With the pressure to complete his prime objective which was to chart the Northwest Coast of North America and find the Northwest Passage, the expedition could not linger despite the information given to them that there were other islands to the eastward, some larger than Kauai. However after a season in the high latitudes probing among the ice floes for the entrance to the Northwest Passage, and with winter not far away, Cook and the Expedition thought once more of the salubrious islands they had visited and their seemingly endless bounty. Thus they sailed for the Hawaiian Islands but planned a course that would take them to the eastward islands that they had not seen.

They arrived off the big island of Hawaii on the 26th of November, 1778 and spent the next month working their way around the southern end of the island, constantly looking for a safe harbor. It wasn't until January 16, 1779, that they discovered a large bay , Kealakekua Bay, that would provide them some shelter. The Hawaiians took to the water in large numbers to greet the ships; some of the officers onboard estimated 2000 to 3000 canoes came out to the ships. For the Hawaiians the event had a religious tone, for it was the time of the celebration of the god Lono, who it was foretold would someday come around the island from east to west on a large floating island. They thus looked at Cook as the god Lono and treated him accordingly.

When the ships finally came to anchor on January 17,1779 they were surrounded by thousands of canoes and many thousands more Hawaiians who simply swam out to the ships. Laughing , and shouting with glee the Hawaiians swarmed over the ships and rigging. So many clambered aboard the Discovery that she came near to capsizing and the crew had to drive them overboard by the hundreds only to have them swarm over the other side in good humor.

To the Hawaiians the ship was a large plaything as they laughed and shouted and climbed all over to explore this ship of the gods. While this is going on, an old man in the foreground mends his nets, knowing that if he is to eat he must fish and contemplating what this vision before him will mean to his people.

Signed and Numbered Edition of 110 giclee on canvas.

Image Size: 19" X 24" ; unf...$1500.00