February 14 2004 Postage Stamps issued by Hawai'i Post

February 14th 2004 - 225th Anniversary of the Death of Captain James Cook at Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i.

Three stamps (in a triptych) and a mini-sheet were issued on February 14th 2004 in memory of the 225th Anniversary of the Death of Captain James Cook at Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i.

The $8 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows the events leading to the death of Captain James Cook at Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i on February 14th 1779. The scene was painted by local artist Wayne Takazono who went to great lengths to ensure accuracy of his work.

A triptych of 3 stamps with the same design as the minisheet was also issued. However the inscriptions are different. The stamp values are:
$2 (above middle) which pays for extra charges, such as additional weight.
$5 (above left) which prepays the Overnight rate.
$8 (above right) which prepays the Same Day rate.

The outer edges of the triptych are perforated (perf 12). The two vertical divisions between the 3 stamps in the triptych are rouletted (roulette 5).

James Cook was born in Marton in the county of Yorkshire, England on October 27 1728, the son of a farm laborer. He was a grocer's assistant and then became apprenticed to a Whitby shipowner and joined the Royal Navy in 1755 as an Able Seaman on HMS Eagle and soon became Master's Mate. Four years later he was promoted to Master.

He went on three expeditions to the Pacific Ocean. The first from 1768 to 1771, as Lieutenant on the HMS Endeavour. The second, from 1772 to 1775, as Commander on the HMS Resolution, accompanied by the HMS Adventure. The third and last, from 1776 until his death in 1779 as Captain on the HMS Resolution accompanied by HMS Discovery.

On his last voyage, Captain Cook departed Plymouth, Devon, England on July 12 1776. He circumnavigated and charted New Zealand and also surveyed and claimed for the British Crown, the east coast of Australia. Exploring the rest of the Pacific Ocean, he went to Tahiti, New Caledonia, Christmas Island, Hawai'i, Antarctica and Alaska.

O'ahu was the first Hawaiian island sighted by Captain Cook on January 18 1778, but because of the prevailing northeasterly trade winds, his first landfall was at Waimea, Kaua'i on January 20 1778 and later at Ni'ihau on January 29 1778. See the stamps issued by Hawai'i Post on January 20 2003.

Captain Cook left the Hawaiian Islands on February 2nd and sailed up to Alaska to seek the elusive "Northwest Passage" from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Unsuccessful, he returned to Hawai'i where he was warmly welcomed by Hawaiians who thought he was their god "Lono". Cook stocked his ships with water and provisions and departed. But, he had to return to Kealakekua Bay to make urgent repairs, particularly to one of the masts.

On the return trip, his greeting was not as warm by the Hawaiians. Some historians say it was because of rampant venereal disease which his sailors transmitted to the Hawaiians during the previous visit. A disease unknown to Hawaiians before the arrival of Captain Cook's ships. Many thefts occurred and, overnight, Discovery's cutter was stolen. Angry, Captain Cook armed his men. At dawn on February 14th 1779, along with Marine Corporal Thomas, Privates Hinks, Allen and Fatchett, Cook went ashore to investigate the theft of the cutter and other items. His plan was to invite the Chief aboard and then hold him until the cutter was returned. But, once ashore, one of Cook's men broke a kapu (taboo) by entering the Chief's hut to awaken him. This and other matters caused the Hawaiians to mistrust Cook's intentions, eventually leading to a fight which resulted in Cook being clubbed to death by some Hawaiians.

Sadness spread throughout the crew of the two ships when word quickly spread of the death of their great leader. Despite being in poor health, Captain Clerke of the Discovery took over command of the Resolution and appointed Gore as Captain of the Discovery.

Several requests were made for the return of Cook's remains, but the Hawaiian were not forthcoming. The aftermath was several skirmishes on shore and the burning of a village by Cook's men. But, on February 20, a black flag was seen on the cliff as a signal to the Hawaiians for silence. In mid-afternoon, with chanting and drums, a procession came down to the water's edge with a large bundle respectfully wrapped in a black and white feathered cloak. It contained most of the bones of Captain Cook - the flesh having been removed in a Hawaiian ritual reserved for Ali'i (royalty).

On February 22nd 1779, a kapu was placed on Kealakekua Bay which cleared it of canoes and spectators. With the sound of guns at half minute intervals and the tolling of the ship's bell, Cook's coffin was gently lowered into the Pacific Ocean.

In memory of Captain Cook, a monument in the form of a white obelisk was erected in 1874 by the British near the spot on Kealakekua Bay where he died. The monument is depicted on the postmark for this issue (above left) and the inscription on the monument is shown (above right). It is often stated, incorrectly, that this monument is on British Territory. However, the ground underneath the monument, although owned by the British Government, is still part of the U.S.A., just like the rest of Hawai'i today.

Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $2, $5 & $8 stamps and $8 mini-sheet - Multicolored
Size: 102mm x 75mm (mini-sheet)
Stamps sheet size: A triptych of 3 across.
Perforation: Triptych - outer edges, perf 12. The two vertical divisions within the triptych are rouletted. Mini-sheet - imperforate.
Stamps design: Enelani.
Mini-sheet and triptych design: Wayne Takazono.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2004 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.