The 4-Mile Captain Cook Trail Leads Adventurers To A Unique Slice Of Hawaiian History
From the first Europeans visiting the islands in 1778 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795 to Hawaii’s admittance to the United States of America in 1959, the Hawaiian Islands are steeped in history — and sites full of history. And while some of the islands’ most fascinating historic sites are easy to visit, others — like this monument — require a bit more effort.
Captain Cook, the British explorer who discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 sailed into Hawaii Island’s Kealakekua Bay on January 17, 1779.
Thinking they were returning gods, the Hawaiians gave them a warm welcome and held a feast in their honor, but a month later, Captain Cook was killed in a conflict between his crew and the locals.
A 27-foot white obelisk was erected in honor of the well-known seafarer in 1878. Encircled by a chain supported by cannonballs, this is the only British territory in the United States.
The one-of-a-kind landmark is accessible on foot, by kayak, or on a boat tour and today, we’re highlighting the epic 4-mile trail that traverses 1,300 feet of elevation to reach the monument.
This 4-mile trail might not be as adventurous as the Captain’s travels once were, but you will be surrounded by rugged ground, high cliffs, lush vegetation, and the crystalline waters of the Pacific Ocean.
You can expect to hike for two to four hours, and though long, the views found along this trail certainly are stunning — just don’t forget your camera.
For more information about this historic trail, head on over to AllTrails. Have you ever visited the Captain Cook Monument before? Did you arrive on foot or via kayak? Either way, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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