Pacific / Hawaii

Capt Cook cloak and helmet returning to Hawai'i

16:03 pm on 17 February 2016

A priceless feather cloak and helmet gifted to Captain Cook in 1779 are being returned to Hawai'i by New Zealand's National Museum, Te Papa.

The Ahu Ula gifted to Captain Cook. Photo: supplied

A ceremony at Te Papa next month will welcome the Hawaiian delegation which will uplift the taonga.

The 'ahu'ula (cloak) and mahiole (helmet) were a gift from the Hawaiian chief Kalani'ōpu'u to Captain Cook, and have been in Te Papa's collection since being gifted to the national museum in 1912.

The cloak and helmet will go on display in the Bishop Museum in Hawai'i from 19th March.

The Mahiole gifted to Captain Cook. Photo: supplied