On january 18th, 1778, the renowned british explorer captain james cook became the first european to discover the hawaiian islands, a momentous event that would shape the course of history for this Ò€¦ Discovering hawaii for the first time in the middle of the pacific, captain cook found what looked to be both a natural and human paradise. On january 18, 1778, captain james cook and his crew aboard the hms resolution reached the hawaiian islands, marking their first encounter.

Captain james cook, a british naval captain, was the first european to encounter the hawaiian islands during his third voyage in 1778. He sighted oahu on january 18 and landed at kauai shortly after, Ò€¦ Who discovered hawaii? While polynesian voyagers first settled hawaii around 1,500 years ago, british explorer captain james cook is credited with the first documented european arrival in 1778.