The controversial legacy of Captain James Cook 06:18. On the Big Island of Hawaii, where the waves roll into Kealakekua Bay, a white obelisk 27 feet tall looms over the shoreline.

"The Death of Captain Cook: A Hero Made and Unmade" by Glyn Williams takes a new look at the violent death of Captain James Cook, England's foremost adventurer/explorer of the 18th century.

Now, the new plaque is in its spot near where the captain met a violent end on Hawaii island. On Feb. 14, 1779, Cook and some of his men were killed on what is now Kealakekua State Historical Park.

Captain Cook: Who really was he? ... he decided to ditch the winter chill and escape to Hawaii. ... ‘Death of Cook’ by English painter George Carter, 1783.

Kealakekua Bay sunset. Photo / Matt Roberts. Michael Wayne struggles his way to the remote beach where James Cook met his death at the hands of disgruntled Hawaiians ...

“Captain James Cook was arguably Britain’s greatest navigator, ... while also deconstructing the complex circumstances that led to Cook’s dramatic death in Hawaii on 14 February 1779. ...