A few days later the vessels left Maui and sailed towards the big island of Hawaii and because of the difficulty in finding a suitable anchorage dropped anchor in Kealakekua Bay on 16 January, 1879. The vessels were there greeted by an astonishing number of natives, estimated to be in the thousands, and again they were given many gifts.

A priest came on board and escorted Cook ashore to a long and moving ceremony in which it seemed he had been accorded the status of a god returning home as the legends had foretold.

However the attitude of the people soon began to change and, in spite of the fact that the crews had generally behaved themselves, it was made clear that the ships and their crews should now leave. It is speculated that the indigenous priesthood felt their power and respect was being undermined by the presence of this God from far away and were agitating for his speedy departure. Cook read the mood of the people and after some ceremonial gift-giving on both sides, set sail on 4 February, 1879 for Kamchatka.

Six days later, following a severe storm in which Cook's vessels were severely damaged, the vessels were obliged to return to Hawaii to effect repairs. This time their welcome was less than enthusiastic. There were numerous incidents of petty theft by the natives and when during the night of 13 February one of the ship's cutters was stolen, Cook felt obliged to take some retaliatory action. His custom, when confronted by such circumstances, was to take hostage some senior person in the native hierarchy and hold them until the stolen articles were returned. On the morning of the 14th Cook went ashore accompanied by some marines to take King Kalaniopu hostage. A party arrived at the King's hut and he agreed to accompany them back to the ship. When they arrived at the beach a large unruly crowd numbering in the thousands surrounded Cook. Apparently at some point a shot was fired and in the ensuing uproar Cook was clubbed to the ground and repeatedly stabbed by native spears. His body was taken on board his ship and was buried at sea on 22 February, 1779.

This image depicts the death of Captain Cook

---