I recently returned from a glorious cruise in Alaska, and while we often comment about our islands being unique (often rightfully so), there are many similarities between Alaska and Hawai`i. We really are connected, yet so far apart in many ways.
The whales they wanted me to see on an excursion up there (if the whales opted to show up)? Same whale pods come get down here, so I passed on this, and said I’d wave “hi” (from ashore) when they visit here next winter.
The small towns of Sitka (population 8,400) and Skagway (pop. 1,200) have vibrant histories, including the (brief) Alaska gold mining rush (1890s). They are pristine locations on gorgeous inlets, which allow access for cruise ships to come for half-day visits during summer, allowing visitors enough time to shop and say “aloha”, or rather “Q’u, q’u yet dahdi nuntghesht’ih yida” (“see you later”). A resident in Skagway told me that locals there spend winter months simply- relaxing, enjoying peace and quiet, nature neighbors, and solitude. The last frontier.
Hawai’i is this country’s #1 SPAM-consuming state per capita, as we all know… and Alaska is #2. Makes for some good eating when you’re out in the frigid backwoods hunting or fishing.
Like Hawai`i, Alaska imports over 90% of its food. Honolulu and Juneau, Alaska, are the only two U.S. state capitals which are inaccessible by road. 13,000 Pacific Islanders call Anchorage, Alaska, home. On his third and final voyage of note, Captain James Cook “happened” upon Hawai`i on his way up to Alaska. And we know of the plight of indigenous people both here and in the 49th state.
Both states depend greatly on tourism. Alaska, of course, does have oil as an extra “bumper crop”. Both states are home to volcanoes, dubious roads, multiple micro-climates, a history of whaling, immigrants in multiple industries, and a large dependance upon outsiders for far too many things. The Copper River Country Journal and Northcountry noted that: “In both Hawai`i and Alaska, the gathering of food from the land has been considered a virtue, an affirmation of faith in nature and in culture”. And culture is king in both places.
So while it might be more expansive with land (vs. the sea that surrounds us) and the temperature ranges might be extremely different, we proudly share a lot with our northern neighbors, including (apparently) a newly-merged airline.
Think about it…