Monday, September 22, 2008

Russia in Hawaii



So my parents went to Hawaii this summer and found this Russian Fort... Can you imagine Russians in Hawaii! The Formal name is Russian Fort Elizabeth. Anyway, it was occupied back in the 19th century due to an alliance between Chief Kamuali and the Russian American Company. The Fort was home to a Russian Orthodox Church and was Hawaii's first Orthodox church. Georg Scheffer was the representative of the Russian American Company and was looking to trade with the islands, and save cargo that was left behind in Waimea. However, Czar Alexander did not grant permission of this fort and the Company had to vacate. 

When my parents were there they asked locales about the fort and they were told that the Russians left because the native Hawaiians to the land scared the Russians off..