Russian Fort Elizabeth

🏰 Russian Fort Elizabeth on Kauai

This Russian Fort was built in 1816 by George Scheffer with the aid of Kauai’s King Kaumuali‘i. The purpose behind building the fort was to gain Russia’s support in an attempt to help King Kaumuali‘i reclaim his kingdom from King Kamehameha.

However, once Russia learned of Scheffer’s intentions, they sent a ship to Kauai to bring him back. Scheffer fled instead—first to Oahu, then to Brazil—where he disappeared from historical record. Today, the remnants of Russian Fort Elizabeth consist mainly of sections of the original stone foundation.

If you’d like to visit Russian Fort Elizabeth, take Highway 50 from Hanapepe toward Waimea. Just past Mile Marker 22, you will see the fort on your left.