Captain Cook, Hawaii County, Hawaii
When Captain James Cook set out to explore the Hawaiian Islands he never once dreamed of how beautiful they actually were. The community, Captain Cook, was named after the British commander himself, Captain James Cook, having sailed vessels for years his respect was very high at the time. While touring this fantastic locale you must be sure to check out the many of the fine Captain Cook Hotels.
A bit of history on Captain James Cook. Born in 1728, this British explorer was famous for three voyages of exploration in the South Pacific Ocean and coastal waters of North America. Captain Cook was well known for his detailed and careful documentation of his discoveries. It wasn’t until the Third Pacific Journey that Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands (which he named the Sandwich Island) in 1778. It was in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii that Captain Cook and his men made conflict with villagers and was killed. But his name is still very distinguished in Hawaii after all of these years.
Captain Cook is found just a mere 45 minutes away south of Kailua-Kona, near the Kealakekua Bay. It is historically known as where Captain James Cook met his death in 1779 at the hands of the natives thus the place was named after. Captain Cook has a land area of 1300 feet above sea level, and a land area of 12.2 square miles. Relatively small, with an estimated population of 2,595, this picturesque town is blessed with warm climate and beautiful natural resources that has made it another favorite and frequented tourist destination in Hawaii.
Populated by a mix of different races, a bulk of which are Asian, Captain Cook thrives with life and hospitality that can mostly be found on small communities with great pride for their cultural and historical heritage. It is noted that Captain Cook's population is made up mostly of families with children in school.
Captain Cook's History
Captain James Cook is known as a master navigator, explorer and cartographer, probably one of the greatest explorers of all time, whose exemplary contributions in his field has earned him the awe, respect and the name of a county in Hawaii.
When Captain James Cook first arrived at the Bay of Kealakekua in 1779, on board the HMS Resolution, Captain Cook had no way of knowing that he was making a permanent mark in history. To his surprise, he found that the natives welcomed him with reverence and respect fit for a deity. Perhaps it was because his arrival was timely and coincided with the religious festivals of the natives in honor of their god of peace, Lono. It was only expected that with his impressive ship and commanding presence that the locals believed him as a special messenger of Lono, if not the god himself. After an uneventful stay, Cook left the islands to continue on his journey, but not before naming the archipelago Sandwich Islands, in honor of his friend and benefactor, the 4th Earl of Sandwich.
As fate would have it, Cook returned once again to the island of Hawaii. This time he had the unfortunate luck to arrive during the season of war. Now wary of the foreigners, the locals became distrustful to him and his men. Soon, one of Cook's small boat was stolen by some of the natives. In retaliation, he took the chieftain as his hostage and went to demand the return of his property. This bold act greatly angered the villagers, and they attacked Cook's party, forcing the Captain to order his men to retreat. It was during that moment that Cook was struck by the natives. He was overpowered and repeatedly stabbed. Seeing their captain murdered, his men had no choice but to flee and watch helplessly as his body was dragged back into the village as a trophy. However, after an appeal made by his crew, Cook's body, or what remained of it, was returned and the Captain was given a proper burial at sea. In honor of Cook's discovery of Hawaii and untimely death, a town was named after him and a monument was built on the site where he died.
Captain Cook's Attractions
True to its name, Captain Cook town is a playground for water-loving people. It offers tourists a lot of opportunities to frolic in its prime spots. While the town has its share of rental villas, resorts and lodges, a visitor is not expected to stay indoors for long while there are many water activities around them to discover.
The adventure begins with the monument dedicated to the arrival and death of Captain James Cook. Built on the place where he died, it can only be approached either by trekking along a rough foot trail or by kayaking across the Kealakekua Bay. The water in the bay is very clear and calm that you can see tropical fishes in different colors and amazing coral reefs of up to a hundred feet. Home of the spinner dolphin and the Hawaiian green sea turtle, the Kealakekua Bay, you will be able to see them up close, take pictures, and even swim with them. For a change in atmosphere, you can go to the different parks to play golf, take up horseback riding or even ride bikes. Another famous spot in Captain Cook is the park that has a restored temple of Hale O Keawe Heiau, a sanctuary for defeated warriors that was built during 165 found within its 180-acre compound. There are also other parks in nearby, like the Mauna Kea, Volcano National Park, and the Polynesian Village.
When tired with all the activities and wishing for a personal time alone, you can always find the perfect spot to get lost in your head. With its calm, tranquil air, Captain Cook town is also known for its excellent spas where tourists can get massages, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy, yogas, and the like. For those who are hunting for souvenirs, there are plenty of shops, to choose from.
Captain Cook's Economy
The industries of Captain Cook town have no noticeable difference with the other towns or cities in Hawaii. With its different businesses that focus mostly on accommodation and food services, tourism is still their main source of income. Though it is sporadic, it is only mainly during the summer or vacation season.
Manufacturing remains the highest percentage of civilian employment in Captain Cook, followed by retail trade, services, finance and wholesale trade. The information industry comes in last, with only a 3.1% of the employment rate. As agriculture still remains as a significant contributor, the town also produces crops to supplement its economy. Most of the residents work near their homes. Some as employees in white-collar companies, while some work in service-oriented shops like restaurants, markets, spas and merchandise stores. With a projected travel time of 30 minutes from home to work, Captain Cook is obviously a small community. However, the town is among the fast-growing counties in the Hawaiian state, and it is projected that its tax contribution will be increasing as well.
Captain Cook Statistics:
Population: 3,206Households: 1,152
Median resident age: 41.7 years
Median household income: $47,644
Median house value: $243,900
Land area: 12.2 square miles
Elevation: 1300 feet
Latitude: 19°30'N
Longitude: 155°54'W
Zip code: 96704
County: Hawaii
