The controversial legacy of Captain James Cook

The British explorer Captain James Cook, who sailed the uncharted Pacific Ocean in the 1700s, created detailed maps of places he was the first European to visit, including New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands (which still bear his name), and the islands of Hawaii. But Cook's legacy – initiating a period of colonization that obscured the histories of Native Islanders – is being reexamined today. Correspondent Ben Tracy looks back on Cook's voyages and imperial ambitions with historian Hampton Sides, author of a new book, "The Wide Wide Sea." He also visits the Big Island of Hawaii, and talks with native islanders about efforts to teach the history of Pacific island cultures.

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[mililaniman]

I enjoy learning about Captain Cook's contributions to history and geography. I have visited the Big Island several times. and I think it is beautiful.

[eddielou]

Every historical story should be told from as many perspectives as possible. That way, everyone has a say, and those of us hearing the stories can gain a better understanding, especially from the perspective of the native peoples.

[stuckinadazzee]

I’m glued to The Wide Wide Sea right now.

[musoangelo]

Back in the 70's I sailed on the Mariposa and the electrician was a Kanaka who use to joke, "I'm part white too, my ancestors ate capt Cook."

[leemayhan]

I live in Alaska on Cook Inlet where Captain Cook did another major expedition following an inlet from that Pacific Ocean that lay between two bodies of land. Captain Cook sailed as far as this ocean inlet allowed only hitting a dead end that is now the city of Anchorage AK. Thus the end of this inlet became known as Turnagain Arm, obvious meaning that this is the end of this inlet from the ocean and you need to turn around. Captain Cook is very much of our history of our state too even today.Captain Cook left behind extensive well documented journals of all his travels thus allowing future generations to know what the era he lived in was like and what he discovered. Love him or hate him Captain Cook was the first of only many to come after him.

[djdollase]

My family was just there on the Big Island and, amongst other things, went both to the Capt. Cook monument (on a snorkeling boat trip) and the native Place of Refuge. Both are beautiful and should be seen, especially the Place of Refuge. One can feel the spiritual power of the place.

[quisp]

There is a Romantic Era fantasy of places like Hawaii that persists to this day. One of the most famous places in Hawaii is the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout point. On this place, the battle of Kalelaka'ane (leaping off of the anae'fish) took place. It refers to pushing men off a cliff during battle. It was a big win for King Kamahameha, the monarch of Hawaii. The history of any place is fraught with war and turmoil. The visitation of Europeans is no different.

[lost_comment]

No mention of Tupaia, the Tahitian that helped Cook map out all the islands in the Pacific. The Polynesians already knew where all the islands were but Cook gets the credit because he puts it on a western map.

[ljacobs]

All of the great navigators are controversial. It's called history.

[margo]

Makes me want to go back. The Hawaiian islands are so beautiful. ❤

[billybrand]

Captain cook was the son of a farm labourer who by sheer natural genius, determination, hard work and courage became one of the greatest Naval captains, scientists, navigators and cartographers of all time

[gw]

If he didnt do it somebody else would, you cant ignore history, its not about your feelings, its just factual .

[RadMad]

I think Ben came up with this story to go on vacation. More power to ya. 🌴🌊🌺

[chrisleblanc]

He isn’t controversial. He was a world class navigator. Period.

[nickedwards]

my 7x great grandfather was a sailor with James Cook and one of the first westerners to ever have a tattoo from their voyages to new zealand

[jaymo]

I lived on the Big Island from the mid 80's to 2005. Been fortunate to have spent time at both the locations featured in this video. Aloha Nui Loa. The local coastline waters were awesome for snorkeling, diving, swimming & surfing.

[SweeneyJeffreyJ]

cook wasn’t trying to destroy cultures, he was an explorer of geography and science.

He had no clue what his impact would be.

[marsspacex]

Captain Cook is not controversial at all he is one of the greatest explorers and mappers in history.

[TarpeianRock]

People have a tendency to view the mindset of past civilizations through the lens of their comfortable existence and contemporary values and ideas. The worst people pass judgment without doing at least some of the intellectual work to try to build a framework through which to try to understand past attitudes, they are called Self Righteous.

[marksieber]

One of Cook’s young officers was a fellow named William Bligh. Bligh was later captain of a ship called the Bounty which also noteworthy in its exploration of the South Pacific. Read about the treatment of English sailors by their captains and officers.