June 30 Hoonah

This is the largest Tlinglit Indian "village" in SE Alaska. They have a total population of 890 people and 80% are Indian. Primary industry has always been fishing. The town is served twice a week with the arrival of the Alaska State Ferry...pretty laid back...that was until the cruise ship population discovered it.

Not quite sure what came first but as of today they have at least one cruise ship anchored in the bay Monday and Tuesday of each week. Small boats run the ship passengers ashore and they have all kinds of activities waiting for them. A "consortium" of businesses has developed the site of the Icy Point Fish Cannery. It is all brand new this year with gift shops, local native artists, waterfront walking trails, fishery displays (lifecycle of a salmon, types of fishing, etc), Cannery demonstrations/tours, museum, snack bars, salmon bakes and restaurants. The tribal community is developing a tribal museum adjacent to it and puts on a native heritage show ($36 admission). It is all very high quality and well done. Local residents drive buses back and forth between the cannery site and "downtown Hoonah" to try to further capitalize on the "captive" audience.

We are going to stay here for a couple days and it will be interesting to see what it is like in "town" without the buzz of the cruise ship passengers (who number more than the total population of the town).

We are relaxed and enjoying our adventures...sighted a few humpback whales on our cruise this AM from Funter Bay to here...majestic to say the least.


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