 The obverse depicts Captain James Cook . He faces towards a compass needle and the words CAPT . JAMES COOK DISCOVERER OF HAWAII ; thus , his gaze is westward . IN GOD WE TRUST is to the right , the name of the country above , and the denomination below . The words HALF DOLLAR are flanked by eight triangles , four on each side . These represent the eight largest volcanic islands of Hawaii : Oahu , Maui , Kauai , the " Big Island " of Hawaii , Niihau , Lanai , Kahoolawe , and Molokai . The designer 's initials , CB , are found to the right of the base of the bust . 
