Russian Fort Elizabeth (Waimea, Kauaʻi County, Hawaii)
Waimea, Kauaʻi County · Hawaii
History & Significance
A Russian-American Company ship, the Bering, wrecked near Waimea in 1815, after which Kauai's paramount chief Kaumualiʻi seized the ship's cargo. In 1816, the company sent German physician Georg Anton Schäffer to recover the cargo and establish a permanent trading post or gain political influence.
Schäffer negotiated for the cargo's return plus an agreement to become protector of islands under Kaumualiʻi's control, including exclusive sandalwood trading rights and military assistance against Kamehameha I. The fort blended European military architecture with Hawaiian building materials—constructed with star-like projections common in early 19th-century European forts, using stones from a former heiau (place of worship). The irregular octagon measured 300 by 400 feet with 20-foot walls varying from 25 to 40 feet in width.
While under construction, the Russian government rejected Schäffer's treaty, unwilling to defend the islands from both Kamehameha and American traders with influence over the Hawaiian king. Schäffer fled in 1817 and was removed from his position, later sent back to Germany.
Hawaiian troops occupied Fort Elizabeth from 1817 until 1864. In 1820, a 21-gun salute was fired when Kaumualiʻi's son returned home from school in the United States. The fort was dismantled in 1864 by order of the Hawaiian government.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Rare octagonal stone fort built by Russians in 1817
- Trading post remnants and Russian-American Company history
- Scenic Waimea location on Kauaʻi's remote west side
- National Historic Landmark and state historical park
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/places/russian-fort-fort-elizabeth.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Fort_Elizabeth
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=65778