Hawaii–Tahiti relations James Cook who was already famous for exploring the Pacific islands including Tahiti. He and his crew were struck by the similarity between the Tahitian and Hawaiian languages, and many crewmen were able to communicate with the Hawaiians. Some of the first Tahitians came to Hawaii aboard foreign vessels as sailors or translators. In 1804, British Captain John Turnbull brought a Tahitian couple to Kauai. Tahitians missionaries led by William Ellis from the London Missionary Society, arrived to assist the American missionaries in Hawaii. A few years prior to 1804, King Kaumualii of Kauai had sent an envoy to Tahiti
Tahiti Village timeshare purchasers. Thicke also appeared in a 2007 television commercial for the resort. A Polynesian-themed restaurant, Tahiti Joe's, operated on the second floor of the resort. In July 2009, Consolidated Resorts filed for bankruptcy. Operations at Tahiti Village continued despite the filing. In August 2010, Arthur Spector Companies acquired the remaining timeshare inventory and operating assets of Tahiti Village. In June 2014, Tahiti Village opened 17° South, a tropical-themed restaurant and bar, named after the Polynesian islands located 17 degrees south of the equator. In August 2014, the restaurant was opened to the public; restaurants at the resort were previously