“Tereoboo, King of Owyhee, bringing Presents to Capt. Cook” an engraving after a drawing by John Webber.
Captain Cook’s first arrival in Hawaii on January 19, 1778 was met with great enthusiasm by the inhabitants. The natives had a legend that they would be visited by a god in a great ship on the water. They presumed Captain Cook was that god.
He originally sailed past Oahu and landed in Waimea Bay on the island of Kauai (Atooi). He was greeted by King Terryaboo’ (Kalani’opu’u) bringing gifts and many warriors in their large war canoes, which are depicted in this engraving. The gifts of two large images made of basket work and feathers and a magnificent feather cloak are seen in the front of the leading canoe.
Later, Cook’s ships later sailed into Kealakekua Bay, which is on the west side of Hawaii.
The Richard & Leslie Breiman Collection.
