After anchoring off Hawaii in 1779, why was James Cook mistaken for the god Lono?

infiniti

the first two times he arrived it was Makahiki Season,a time of festivities where war was forbidden and people relaxed. This was also when Lono was most important. "The Hawaiians believed Cook to be the reincarnation of their God, Lono, whose symbols were white kapa (cloth made from bark pounded flat) banners hung from a cross-piece on which were hung feather streamers. Cook had appeared from the sea, as Lono had promised to return. His ships had tall masts and white sails, very similar to the banners carried in makahiki parades to symbolize Lono's presence." http://www.allsands.com/History/People/jamescook_vfr_gn.htm [Dec 23 04 1:13 AM] infiniti writes: Forgot to add that Cook's crew managed to spread VD throught the islands. There's nothing like thanking your hosts for their hospitality. Dec 23 04, 12:33 AM