7. Captain James Cook and Hawaii

Captain James Cook, sent on three expeditions to study the Pacific Ocean in the 1760's and 1770's, is credited with discovering the Sandwich Islands. These would later would be renamed Hawaii. Seeking the fabled "Southern Continent", he meticulously mapped the region, collected information on native cultures, and observed the Transit of Venus. Mystery still surrounds the death of Cook on his third voyage to Hawaii. Did he offend the natives? Did his return upset the balance of the kapu sysetm? These are questions which never may be answered.
Horowitz relates a story in which he first visits Kealakekua Bay and witnesses what he believes is a young man marring the memorial to Cook. Upon further investigation he learns the man, Gary, is merely cleaning the memorial much like his ancestors before him were said to do. This epsiode highlights the struggle Hawaiians have with there past. Gary explains his thoughts on Cook to Horowitz. It appears many Hawaiians believe Cook brought destruction to their society, yet many are compelled to honor something in their past (whether it is good or bad).
Marshall Sahlin argues Cook upsset the balance of the kapu system by acting as though he was the god Lono. His return to the island at a time when it was not welcome was seen as a disaster to the natives, inevitably leading to his demise. Gananth Obeyesekere believes differently. He finds it foolish to think the natives were naive enough to think Cook was Lono. The answer to this question can never be known. What stands to reason is that in some way Cook overstayed his welcome. Whether he was viewed as being divine or a mortal man, the Hawaiians felt his return was unacceptable.