Russian Fort Elizabeth

Russian Fort Elisabeth State Historical Park

This is one of the strangest historical sites in all of Hawaii. A Russian fort on a tropical island 2,500 miles from the nearest continent. The story behind it is brief, bizarre, and worth knowing before you visit.

The Russian Chapter in Hawaii

In 1815, a ship belonging to the Russian-American Company wrecked off Kauai. Georg Anton Schaffer, a German doctor working for the Russians, arrived to recover the cargo. He got ambitious. Schaffer struck a deal with King Kaumuali'i of Kauai, promising Russian military support against King Kamehameha I in exchange for land and trading rights.

Construction of Fort Elisabeth began in 1817 on the bluff overlooking Waimea Bay. The star-shaped fort was built with native Hawaiian labor using local stone and mortar. It had walls up to 20 feet thick in places and mounted dozens of cannons.

The scheme lasted about two years. The Russian government never sanctioned it. When Kamehameha protested, Schaffer was expelled from the islands in 1817. The fort fell to Hawaiian control and was used intermittently until the 1860s before being abandoned.

What You'll See Today

The remaining stone walls outline the original star-shaped footprint. They stand several feet high in some sections. Interpretive signs placed throughout the site explain the timeline, the key players, and the political context.

A walking path loops through the ruins. The whole visit takes 15 to 20 minutes. There are restrooms inside the park. Entry is free.

Visitor Tips

The fort sits right off Highway 50 in Waimea, just past mile marker 22. Pair this stop with a Waimea Canyon trip since you'll be driving through town anyway. The Captain Cook Monument is also nearby in downtown Waimea.

The site is exposed with little shade. Bring water and sun protection if you're visiting midday. Morning or late afternoon light is best for photos of the stone walls.