Fort Alexander (Hawaii)

Lore & Background

Fort Alexander was constructed by Georg Anton Schäffer, an agent of the Russian-American Company, in October 1816. It was built near the Hanalei River on the island of Kauai. The fort had low earthwork walls and may have also included palisades. One account might refer to Fort Alexander as a breastwork mounted with a few cannons, but it is unclear whether that description applies to both or only one of the forts in Hanalei. The fort was built mainly with labor from the Russian-American Company, unlike Fort Elizabeth, which was built partially by Hawaiian natives. Most of Schäffer's employees were Native Alaskans.

Reader's Guide

Fort Alexander was part of a short-lived Russian colonial venture in Hawaii led by Georg Anton Schäffer. Schäffer made an alliance with Kaumualii against Kamehameha I and built three Russian forts between 1816 and 1817. On 17 June 1817, Schäffer proclaimed himself a chief of Hanalei at Fort Alexander, raising a Russian flag and ordering a three-cannon salute, and also proclaimed a formal Russian claim for the island of Kauai. The fort was destroyed when Hawaiians revolted in Hanalei; a distillery was also burnt down, and one Aleutian worker was killed. The Russians were expelled from Hawaii on 8 May 1817. Fort Alexander was one of two Russian forts built in the Hanalei River Valley, the other being Fort Barclay. Only Fort Elizabeth has been partially preserved. As of 2002, the location of Fort Alexander is occupied by a hotel, and a general outline of part of the fort could still be noticed.

Did You Know?

• Fort Alexander was named after Emperor Alexander I of Russia.
• It was built in October 1816 near the Hanalei River on Kauai.
• On 17 June 1817, Schäffer proclaimed himself a chief of Hanalei at Fort Alexander.
• The fort was destroyed when Hawaiians revolted in Hanalei.