Cook returned to Hawaii in 1779. After sailing around the archipelago for some eight weeks, he made landfall at Kealakekua Bay on Hawai’i Island, largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Cook’s arrival coincided with the Makahiki, a Hawaiian harvest festival of worship for the Polynesian god Lono. Coincidentally the form of Cook’s ship, HMS Resolution, or more particularly the mast formation, sails and rigging, resembled certain significant artefacts that formed part of the season of worship. Similarly, Cook’s clockwise route around the island of Hawaii before making landfall resembled the processions that took place in a clockwise direction around the island during the Lono festivals. It has been argued (most extensively by Marshall Sahlins) that such coincidences were the reasons for Cook’s (and to a limited extent, his crew’s) initial deification by some Hawaiians who treated Cook as an incarnation of Lono
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
Maeva, Captain Bligh.
Lt. Bligh : Mauriuru, King Tynah.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti : Enoho.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.
I bring you greetings from
His Majesty King George of England.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
How is the great Captain Cookie?
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
Captain Cook?
He's Well, and he also sends his greetings.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
He Lives...?
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :Yes.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
He is My Friend.
I know.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
Now you see - He gave me his picture.
Yes.
King Tynah of Ta-Hiti :
Some People Say
He was killed by
the people of Hawaii.
No...
Captain Cook is very much alive
and he's in good health, King Tynah.
He's very much alive.
As I said, he sends his greetings to you
and he's always talked of you
as his very close friend.
You told that to this man Tynah?
King Tynah, sir.
A savage king?
A King, my lord, descended
from many kings.
As our King George is descended
from many Kings?
Yes, in a way, sir.
Then why did you lie to him?
Why did you not tell him
Captain Cook was murdered
in Hawaii 10 years before?
Because they believe that
Captain Cook is immortal.
Literally?
Yes, I think so, sir.
They seem to regard his likeness
as a sacred image.
Interesting.
They also believe that every British officer
is more or less related to him.
So you were more or less immortal, too?
It would appear so, sir,
and I also needed their assistance.
Captain Cook was our guarantor.
How long you stay in Tahiti?
About two months, around the islands.
Stay here. Do not go to the other islands.
No welcome there for you.
Everything you need is here.
I'm much obliged to you.
His Majesty King George has
sent you many gifts, King Tynah.
Perhaps I could carry back in return gifts
from yourself to His Majesty King George.
Anything for A King.
Pigs, bananas, coconuts, breadfruit...
Breadfruit! Breadfruit is a very good idea.
Yes, breadfruit. I think His Majesty likes
breadfruit. Isn't that true, Mr. Nelson?
Indeed it is, sir.
His Majesty is a very keen gardener.
He would appreciate breadfruit greatly.
If you sent him little breadfruit plants,
he could grow them in his own garden.
We shall grow him many little plants.
Thank you.
Mr. Christian, Mr. Cole.
Would you distribute the gifts
to King Tynah and his good people?
These are gifts from His Majesty King
George of England to yourselves.
Oh, dear God!
- I hoped to avoid this.
- Avoid what, sir?
Damn it all, man.
I'm expected to sleep with her.
She's one of King Tynah's wives, a gift from
one chief to another, as it were.
Now, look. Five minutes after I go below,
call me up on important business.
Yes, sir. What business?
Business, damn it!
Any bloody business.
Welcome aboard, ma'am. This way.
Yes.
- Get on with your work.
- Yes, sir.
She should soften the old man up a bit.
Hot.
Pretty.
That wouldn't feed a dog for
two nights, never mind me!
Emma
- Excuse me, sir, I...
- Mr. Christian!
- Sir?
What demands my immediate attention?
It could wait until tomorrow.
What is it, damn you?
The ship is sinking, sir.
Good.
Ma'am.
Was Fletcher Christian at this time
still your friend and ally?
At that time, yes.
There was no indication of any
resentment towards you?
No, none.
Mr. Bligh, when you planted out your breadfruit,
did not the savages carry out some sort of
ceremony? An indecent ceremony?
Is this relevant, Captain Greetham?
Milord, if The Crew were allowed
to witness it, yes.
Were The Crew present, Mr. Bligh?
Yes.
And was it indecent?
It is their deep belief that
the earth is rendered fruitful
by the coupling of their gods
and that the gods can be roused by
the coupling of men and women.
So it did begin at the ceremony?
No, sir, not at the ceremony.
No, it was Fletcher Christian
and the native girl.
You misunderstood the depth
of the emotion between them?
Yes, I realise that now.
I had assumed that it was
simply youthful passion.
It takes more than
an infatuated youth to make a mutiny.
- It takes a discontented crew.
- They were anything but discontented.
Fletcher Christian corrupted them.
But what made them so easy to corrupt?
I don't know. It was the place itself.
If I did sail beyond the sea
I'd take my pretty girl with me
And she would cook and care for me
And I'd be the pride of the king's navy
But, alas, it is the law
I had to leave her on the shore
- Mr. Christian?
- Come in, whoever you are.
Captain Bligh is surprised he hasn't had
your company at supper for some weeks.
Do you still do that?
He says he'll expect you this evening.
But Today, Today's not Friday.
6:00. Prompt, if you please.
Wait, Dr. Huggan.
I found the most extraordinary plant today.
On the west side of the island,
just by the mouth of the river.
Mr. Christian, it is 7:30.
