Captain Cook Memorial Plaque Returns

A new plaque that commends the spot where Captain James Cook was killed on Hawai‘i island in 1779 is back on the historic Captain Cook memorial Awili landing at Kaʻawaloa.

Captain Cook Memorial. PC: DLNR

It reads: “NEAR THIS SPOT CAPT. JAMES COOK MET HIS DEATH FEBRUARY 14, 1779”

The original plaque’s history dates to 1928 and disappeared in 1956. Another plaque was installed by the British Consulate in the Hawaiian Islands, but was damaged in an attempted theft in 1985.

A new granite plaque was installed in 1990 after donations from private individuals. That plaque had been removed from its location after it became dislodged during an episode of high surf.

Captain Cook memorial. PC: DLNR

Staff from the DLNR Division of State Parks-West Hawai‘i were assisted by Geoff Hand from Adventures in Paradise Boat Tours in transporting the plaque and construction materials from the Keauhou boat ramp.

Preparation took place on the existing concrete block by scrubbing it free of algae along with drilling and bolting in four stainless steel holes that now hold the plaque and concrete block in place.

The 260-pound plaque is now back in the original place.