Near Island Local Customs

As a community sitting on the Gulf of Alaska, residents in Kodiak and Near Island tend to gather a great deal of their food from the ocean. A stroll through the harbors will easily hear advice, stories and other tidbits on commercial and private fishing, and for boat-owners and their friends, a shared harvest of halibut, king crab, shrimp and other marine foods is a common custom on both islands.

Here in Kodiak we have 2 fireworks celebrations per year. The 4th of July and New Years Eve. The fireworks are set off from the Rock pit along the water front. They can be seen from Near Island and also many spots around downtown Kodiak. The bridge is cut off from access 30 minutes before the expected start times of the fireworks which is usually 12 Midnight.

Bring a big bucket or several big buckets and pick to your hearts (Or stomachs) content!! Salmon Berries I believe are only found in the northern latitudes especially here in Alaska! In July and August it doesn't take long at all to fill your buckets up. As long as your not eating as you pick which I usually do. LOL There are many popular areas for picking. You can just see the bushes right along side of the road too.
They don't taste like salmon...they are very sweet and juicy..they get their name from the bright red color and they resemble the look of Salmon roe.

The natives have a tradition of carving. Making masks, and tools. To beautify the trails, they have added these wood folk along the trails on near island.