The Kaua’i Historical Society is hosting a talk on the history of the Fort Elisabeth (the Russian Fort) at Waimea. Author and Anthropologist Peter Mills is scheduled to be the featured speaker. The talk is being held at the Waimea
The Kaua’i Historical Society is hosting a talk on the history of the Fort Elisabeth (the Russian Fort) at Waimea. Author and Anthropologist Peter Mills is scheduled to be the featured speaker.
The talk is being held at the Waimea United Church of Christ on Thursday, Jan. 23 and begins at 7 p.m.
Mills is the author of “Hawai’i’s Russian Adventure – A New Look at Old History” from the University of Hawai’i Press. In the book Mills examines the complete story of Fort Elisabeth, including describing the sacred heiau that once stood on the site, and what happened to the fort after it was abandoned by a Russian contingent in 1817.
In the book Mills examines the fort and its place in the history of Kaua’i, and tells how Native Hawaiians have been ignored in their role of constructing the fort.
Mills, who is an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, also focuses on the relationship of the paramount ali’i Kaumuali’i, the last king of Kaua’i.
Kaumuali’i made his homes on the grounds of the Russian Fort. Mills describes the ruler’s life in relationship to the fort, and tells how the fort was tied to the destiny of Kaua’i in the years prior to the takeover of Kaua’i and Ni’ihau by the Kamehameha dynasty.
For more information call the Kaua’i Historical Society at 245-3373.