Hoonah, Alaska: A Tlingit community shaped by glacial retreat and modern tourism

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Perched on Chichagof Island, Hoonah is a resilient Tlingit settlement that has evolved from a traditional homeland into a hub for cruise ship tourism. Once defined by the seasonal rhythms of salmon canning, this remote Alaskan city now balances its deep indigenous heritage with a modern, visitor-driven economy.

The Huna Tlingit people have long-standing roots in the region, having originally occupied areas including Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. Oral traditions describe how two major environmental shifts—rapid glacial expansion and a landslide-triggered tsunami—forced these clans to relocate to their current home, Xunaa. The name itself reflects this history, translating to a place protected from the north wind. By the early 20th century, the community became a center for the salmon industry, with the Hoonah Packing Company serving as one of eight local canneries that anchored the local economy.

The mid-20th century brought significant upheaval, including a devastating fire in 1944 that destroyed much of the town and many cultural artifacts. Economic challenges followed in the 1990s with the decline of the regional logging industry. However, the community pivoted toward tourism, transforming the abandoned cannery site at Icy Strait Point into a major destination for cruise ship passengers. Today, the site features a massive zipline that begins at the former Cold War-era White Alice Communications System facility, bridging the gap between the town's industrial past and its current role as a seasonal travel hub.

Modern Hoonah remains a uniquely isolated community, accessible only by air or sea. While the population typically sits around 931 residents, it swells significantly during the summer months when fishing, boating, and tourism activities peak. The city continues to manage its growth, exploring infrastructure projects like potential road connections to nearby communities, while maintaining its identity as the principal village for the Huna Tlingit clans, including the Chookaneidi and T'aakdeintaan, who continue to shape the social and cultural fabric of the island.

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