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Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson

Ofi Olson

Hjalmar E. "Ofi" Olson was born in 1939 in Kanakanak, Alaska to Hjalmar and Mary Olson. Ofi was the eldest of eleven children. He was a lifelong commercial salmon fisherman and an avid pilot who spent many years hunting, fishing, and trapping in Bristol Bay. Ofi earned his private pilot's license in 1957, at the age of 16. He served 22 months in Germany in the US Army, returning to Dillingham, Alaska, in 1961. In 1964, Ofi met Anuska Hansen and they married in 1968. They had three children and five grandchildren. In 1974, Ofi represented the community of Koliganek on the Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) board. That led to four decades of service at BBNC, including 29 years as the board chairman. In 2009, Ofi retired as the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. He also served in many other capacities on numerous boards and commissions during a lifetime dedicated to work on behalf of Bristol Bay and its people. Ofi Olson passed away on July 2, 2015 in Dillingham, Alaska. For more about Ofi Olson, see his obituary in the Alaska Dispatch News newspaper.
Date of Birth:
Oct 24, 1939
Date of Death:
Jul 2, 2015
Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson and Robin Samuelsen, Jr., Part 1

Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson and Robin Samuelsen, Jr. were interviewed on July 25, 2013 by Karen Hebert and Mike Davis at Ofi's home in Dillingham, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Ofi and Robin talk about getting started as fishermen, working for canneries, and discrimination of Native people. They also discuss fisheries management, local involvement in management, the Limited Entry permit system, and their involvement in advocacy for fishing and fishermen.

 2016-12-01_PT.1 Fishing and Natural Resources in Bristol Bay Jul 25, 2013
Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson and Robin Samuelsen, Jr., Part 2

This is a continuation of the interview with Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson and Robin Samuelsen, Jr. on July 25, 2013 by Karen Hebert and Mike Davis at Ofi's home in Dillingham, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Ofi and Robin talk about adovcacy for fishermen and the fishery in Bristol Bay, and the role of Alaska land claims in the fisheries. They also discuss changes to the fishery, fisheries management, and fishing practices. They also talk about the importance of education and provide some advice to the next generation.

 2016-12-01_PT.2 Fishing and Natural Resources in Bristol Bay Jul 25, 2013
Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson, Part 1

Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson was interviewed on August 17, 2014 by Karen Hebert in his home in Dillingham, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Ofi talks about growing up in Dillingham and along a trapline, commercial and subsistence fishing, and working for the canneries. He also talks about changes in fishery management, the Limited Entry permit system, his involvement with Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), and changes in the community of Dillingham.

 2016-12-03_PT.1 Fishing and Natural Resources in Bristol Bay Aug 17, 2014
Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson, Part 2

This is a continuation of an interview with Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson on August 17, 2014 by Karen Hebert in Dillingham, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Ofi talks about commercial fishing, the role of canneries, and management of the fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. He also talks about living a subsistence lifestyle of trapping and fishing, the Kanakanak orphanage, and going to school.

 2016-12-03_PT.2 Fishing and Natural Resources in Bristol Bay Aug 17, 2014