What explorer was mistaken for the local god Lono by the native people?

Captain James Cook was an 18th century explorer from England. He joined the British navy in 1755 as a teenager and later saw action during the Seven Years War. He proved himself to be a very able sailor and leader and rose quickly through the ranks. Throughout the mid 18th century, Cook explored much of the Pacific Ocean particularly the Polynesian Islands.

In January 1778, Captain Cook landed on the shores of the Hawaiian Islands as he was searching for a northwest passage from northern Atlantic to the Pacific. The Hawaiians were fascinated with Cook and his white skinned sailors. They willingly opened trade and appeared to attach some religious significance to their arrival.

After a short stay, Cook sailed on but returned to the Islands about a year later. At this time Cook was greeted as the manifestation of their god Lono. But after one of the crew died thus showing the natives the European sailors were merely mortals, the relationship between the two peoples became strained. At this point the sailors decided to return to their homeland but only a short distance from the Islands the ships were caught in a terrible storm and forced to return to Hawaii. No longer viewed as supernatural beings, Cook and his men were greeted with open hostility and anger. A short time later, Cook was involved in a confrontation with a minor chief that left the Hawaiian dead. Cook was then taken prisoner and ended up being cannibalized. His remaining crew set sail and returned to England.