The Treaty of Cession and Kamehameha I

The Treaty of Cession you’re referencing, where Kamehameha I allegedly ceded most of the island of Hawaii to Captain George Vancouver on behalf of Great Britain, did not occur on September 3, 1777. In fact, there is no documented treaty on that specific date involving Kamehameha I ceding land to Great Britain.

Historical Context

• Kamehameha I: Kamehameha I, known as Kamehameha the Great, was a pivotal figure in Hawaiian history, known for uniting the Hawaiian Islands through a series of military conquests, diplomacy, and strategic alliances in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

• Contact with Europeans: The Hawaiian Islands had their first significant contact with Europeans through the voyages of Captain James Cook in 1778. Following Cook’s visit, European and American influence increased in the region, which included trade and intermittent diplomatic interactions.

Vancouver and Hawaii

• George Vancouver: Captain George Vancouver visited Hawaii during his explorations in the Pacific between 1791 and 1794. He was instrumental in aiding Kamehameha I by providing military support, technology, and diplomatic counsel.

• Alleged Cession: There is a contentious historical narrative suggesting that during one of Vancouver’s visits, Kamehameha I expressed a willingness to place Hawaii under British protection. However, any such agreement, if verbally discussed, was not formally ratified or documented as a recognized treaty by British authorities.

Conclusion

While there were interactions between George Vancouver and Kamehameha I where discussions of British protection occurred, no formal or legal cession of Hawaiian land was established through a treaty on September 3, 1777. The notion of a cession on this particular date seems to be a historical inaccuracy. Vancouver’s visits and discussions with Hawaiian leaders are often part of broader discussions about European influence in Hawaii during this era.