Captain James Cook died at Kealakekua Bay on the island of Hawaii on February 14, 1779. He was killed during a violent confrontation with Native Hawaiians while attempting to take the local ruling chief, Kalaniʻōpuʻu, hostage in exchange for the return of a stolen boat. Cook was stabbed and beaten to death during the ensuing fight, along with several marines and Hawaiians. His body was dismembered by the Hawaiians as a mark of respect for a high-ranking adversary, and his remains were later returned to the British and buried at sea.