Note 21 — Chapter III

The Hawaiian Islands were first discovered by the Spanish in the sixteenth century; but no use was made of the discovery, therefore Captain Cook is justly accredited with this honor. He first sighted Oahu January 18, 1778, and after remaining about two weeks sailed for the north. In November of the same year he returned and wintered on the island of Hawaii. The natives at first regarded him as a god, and paid him divine honors. His exactions, however, bore heavily upon their resources; and when he attempted to seize one of their chiefs he was killed (February 14, 1779) in the struggle that ensued. Cook named the islands for his patron, Lord Sandwich, but the official name is now Hawaii. This is the word which Franchère writes “Ohehy”—the native language lacking consonant sounds, and not being reduced to alphabetical writing until after the coming of the missionaries (1820). Mauna Loa (Mona-Roah) is an active volcano on the island of Hawaii, 13,675 feet in altitude.—Ed.