ajames cook memorial

For this World Money Monday, we’ll discuss the sandy shores of Hawaii and the importance of the infamous explorer, James Cook. There is very little known about pre-USA Hawaiian banknotes since their banknotes are now USD banknotes. Prior to the United States buying Hawaii, they had very unique banknotes that featured symbolic monuments, animals and places that inhabited Hawaii in its natural habitat.  

Source: Banknote World, Educational site, 100 Dollars Hawaii banknote from 1895

Backstory on Hawaiian Banknotes

The earliest Hawaiian banknote known dates back to 1879. The series came in the denominations 20, 50, 100 and 500 which all have compilations of similar pictures on the obverse and reverse of the banknotes. There is not much known about what people on these photos, however, the animals and monuments are all symbolic to old and present day Hawaii! On this series there are different compilations of a young allegation girl, a bull, an anchor, a steam ship, and a horse. The next series known is in 1880, just one year later, on this series there are compilations of a cowboy, a steam locomotive and a sailship. All have proven to be of importance during the time that thet were released. Fast forward to the last series in 1895 (pictured above), there was alot

Source: Banknote World, Educational site, 20 Dollars Hawaii banknote from 1879

Early Hawaii

Hawaii was acquired by United States in 1898 as a U.S. territory through the federal Newlands Resolution, which officially made Hawaii as an annexed territory of the United States. More than 50 years later, Hawaii officially became a state in the United states of America in 1959. Prior to having to incorporate Americas banknotes, and becoming one of the Americas, Hawaii was discovered by young explorer James Cook in 1778. Cook immediately set up grounds for missionaries to began growing sugar and brought in Japanese, Chinese and Philippine immigrants to tend to the fields. Over 25% of Hawaii’s land was inhabited by Japanese immigrants working the land. To this day, Hawaii has a huge Japanese influence and we can give thanks to the Sugar fields of 1778. Unfortunately, this was James Cook’s third and final expedition until his death on February 14th, 1779.

Source: Pocket Images, The Great Adventure of James Cook Blog

World Money Monday Fun Fact:

James Cook has discovered the last 2 locations for World Money Monday and has ended our 3 part series on his final destination to Hawaii! He started his first voyage stumbling upon what is know as Cook Islands and from there sailed past Sydney Cove, Australia where he forever changed Australian culture by creating a multi-cultural nation between Aboriginals and Europeans. He then took a small break and what was his second voyage was supposed to be his last. He eventually hit the sea again and this time, met his match in Hawaii. Captain James Cook’s three voyages greatly enlightened the Western world about life in the South Pacific and helped discover more land all the way through the 20th century!

Chronicles of the Infamous Captain James Cook

Source: The Times Blog
Captain James Cook was born November 7th, 1728 Yorkshire, England nd grew to be one of the most profound explorers and Naval Captains in our history. James Cook was noted for being a natural leader as some would say, so it wasnt of suprise when he set out on his first voyage on the South Pacific Oceans from 1768-1771. There he discovered New Zeland, and eventually ran into the Cook Islands. His second voyage he ran into Australia and lastly, Hawaii.
Cook’s journeys and discoveries had a huge impact on the millions of people he encountered. He discovered countless habitats around the planet, while his own name still lives on through numerous monuments, cities and landmarks around the world he circled around several times. Unfortunately, his fate was met on his third and final expedition.
Source: James Cook’s final death on Kealakekua Bay
By the time Cook embarked on his third and final fateful expedition, he had already traveled the circumference of the planet twice and added thousands of miles of new pacific and Northwest passageway coastline to the world map. Some of his finding were used well into the 20th century on world maps.
James Cook went on his final expedition July 12th, 1776. He took the route from Plymouth to Cape Town and Tenerife to New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. While on his last quest, Cook ran into troubles with the local islanders and was killed in a scuffle while holding their chief hostage until a local group of Hawaiians returned his stolen boat. He died February 14th, 1779 on the Kealakekua Bay.

Have a Country you want featured for this series? Comment below!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *