An international controversy is brewing over the proposed renaming of the Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park on Kaua‘i, to “Pā‘ula‘ula/Fort Elizabeth.”
Bird’s-eye view of the fortress. PC: Alexander Molodin
The fort was built by Hawaiians as part of King Kaumuali‘i’s residential compound in 1816-17, when the King was allied with Dr. George Anton Schäffer of the Russian-American Company (RAC). For less than a year the RAC held a sandalwood monopoly on Kaua‘i while Kaumuali‘i swore allegiance to Russian Emperor Alexander I. Schäffer provided designs for the fort and named it Fort Elizabeth after Alexander’s wife—but it was occupied by Kaumuali‘i, never by Russians, and then used for 50 years by the Hawaiian monarchy, whose Hawaiian soldiers called it Pā‘ula‘ula.
UH-Hilo’s Dr. Peter Mills, who has written a book on this subject, will explain the ongoing controversy that has prompted the Russian Ambassador to the U.S., and thousands of Russians and Russian-Americans, to protest the proposed renaming of this historic site on Kaua‘i.
Learn more about it on either of two occasions at the Lyman Museum on Monday evening, March 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m. or Tuesday afternoon, March 5, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
The Lyman Museum is located at 276 Haili St. in Hilo.
This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
