BLNR Approves Change to Russian Fort Elisabeth to Historic Hawaiian Name

The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a Hawai‘i State Senate resolution that renames the Russian Fort Elisabeth State Historical Park in Waimea, as “Pa‘ula‘ula.”

“I am pleased that the Board of Land and Natural Resources has adopted SR 106,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi. “The community has asked that the mo‘olelo of this wahi pana is shared and the ‘āina that cares for the iwi kūpuna is honored. As leaders, have a responsibility to preserve and promote our native Hawaiian culture, history and language.”

Pa‘ula‘ula is the traditional place name for the eastern bank at the mouth of the Waimea River and was the location of the royal compound of Kaumuali‘i, the ali‘i ‘ai moku of Kaua‘i. This name change comes almost 15 months after an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of King Kaumuali‘i was unveiled at Pa‘ula‘ula, Waimea.

SR 106 also asked the Board of Land and Natural Resources to develop new interpretive signs, brochures and websites for the site that are available in Hawaiian and English and primarily reflect the ‘āina of Kaua‘i’s ali‘i nui, as well as the rich multicultural history of the site.

Lastly, collaboration between the organization and the National Park Service is advised so that the Hawaiian place name is reflected in the National Historic Landmark designation.