Hofgaard Park, Waimea, Kauai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hofgaard Park
Location	Waimea, Kauai County, Hawaii
Elevation	3 to 9 ft (0.91 to 2.74 m)

Hofgaard Park is a special park located in Waimea, Hawaii. It is a long, narrow park found between two roads: Kaumuali'i Highway and Waimea Road. This park is named after Judge Christopher Blom Hofgaard, who used to live in Waimea. It is a great place to learn about history, especially about Captain Cook's first visit to the Hawaiian Islands.

Hofgaard Park: A Historic Spot

Hofgaard Park is more than just a green space. It is a place that remembers important historical events. The park has a statue of Captain Cook. This statue is a copy of an older one found in Whitby, England. The park also has special plaques. These plaques tell the story of Waimea and how Western visitors influenced the area over time.

Captain Cook's First Visit

Captain James Cook was a famous British explorer. He was the first European to see the Hawaiian Islands. On January 20, 1778, Captain Cook and his two ships arrived. They dropped anchor near the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai. This was his first time setting foot on Hawaiian soil.

Cook's crew could talk with the native people. This was because they knew the Tahitian language. They spent two weeks on Kauai. During this time, they gathered supplies for their journey north. The British explorers were very surprised to find Polynesian people on these distant islands.

Where Cook Landed

The exact spot where Captain Cook landed was likely in what is now Lucy Wright Beach Park. This park is close to the mouth of the Waimea River. It is just south of the town of Waimea. A special plaque at Lucy Wright Beach Park also remembers Cook's landing on the island.

Gallery

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  Cook Landing commemoration plaque at Hofgaard Park

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  Captain Cook statue in the park

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  Original Statue of James Cook in Whitby, England

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  Captain James Cook Portrait

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  Endeavour replica in Cooktown harbour