This plaque is one of four that adorns the 10-foot concrete base of the full-length statue of King Kamehameha I that was dedicated in front of Ali'iōlani Hale on February 14, 1883 during the coronation of King David Kalākaua. The plaques depict scenes from Kamehameha's life: the era of peace he established; reviewing his fleet of canoes; visiting Captain Cook upon his ship; and warding off warrior spears. The statue itself is the second of four castings. The original, designed by Thomas Ridgeway Gould, was commissioned by the 1878 Legislature under King Kalākaua, intended to commemorate the centennial of Captain Cook's "discovery" of the islands. Modeled in Florence and cast in Paris, it was lost at sea during transport to Hawai'i in 1880. The 8-foot, 6-inch bronze and gilt replica was cast in 1881 from the original mold. Just after he started working on the plaques, Gould died. His son, Marshall Gould finished their execution.
Hawaii Capital Historic District National Register #78001020 (1978)
