The Hawaiian Islands, one of the most remote corners of the world from Ukraine, are home to a Ukrainian community that preserves its national identity, organizes cultural events, supports Ukraine, and introduces local residents to Ukrainian culture. The history of Ukrainian presence on the islands dates back more than a century.
The First Ukrainians in Hawaii
The history of Ukrainians in Hawaii dates back to the late 19th century, when sugarcane cultivation was actively developing on the islands, and plantations required a large number of labor.
This was reported by Myroslava Fallback.
In the late 1890s, several hundred people from the territories that were then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, mainly from Galicia and Transcarpathia, agreed to contract work on Hawaiian plantations. In many documents, they were recorded as “Ruthenians” or “Austrians,” so it is difficult to establish the exact number of Ukrainians among the first settlers.
The journey to the islands took several weeks or even months. After arriving, the immigrants worked on plantations in difficult conditions of tropical climate, high humidity, new diseases, and a language barrier. Some of the settlers left for Canada or the mainland of the United States after the end of their contracts, but some remained on the islands, took up farming and gradually integrated into the local multicultural environment.
Farmers Mykhailo and Anna Pshyky
One of the most famous Ukrainians of the early period in Hawaii was Mykhailo and Anna Pshyky.
The couple arrived on the islands in the late 19th century to work on sugar plantations. After the end of their contract, they decided to stay in Hawaii and at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Hawaii Island.
In 1906, Mykhailo and Anna Pshyky purchased approximately 50 acres of land near the settlement of Mountain View. The couple personally cleared the forested area, built outbuildings, and established a farm.
Historians note that Mykhailo Pszyk also participated in building a road through dense forests to the volcanic lands. Later, the local road was named in honor of the family - today it is known as Pszyk Road.
Ukrainian navigator Yuriy Lysyansky and Hawaii
The history of the Ukrainian presence in Hawaii is also associated with the navigator Yuriy Lysyansky, a native of Nizhyn.
On August 7, 1803, he set off on a round-the-world voyage on the ships Nadiya and Neva as part of an expedition led by Adam Johann von Krusenstern. The voyage lasted three years and became one of the most important maritime expeditions of the early 19th century.
During the expedition, Lysyansky conducted scientific observations, refined nautical charts, and explored new territories.
Hawaii occupied a special place in his journey. Near the coral reefs, the ship "Neva" ran aground, and it was then that the navigator discovered a small uninhabited island, which later received the name Lisianski Island. He also marked a previously unknown coral reef on the map.
Lisiansky described in detail the life of the local population of the Hawaiian Islands and compiled one of the world's first dictionaries of the Hawaiian language.
After the expedition, he published a two-volume book of memoirs with maps and illustrations.
Research on the history of Ukrainians in Hawaii
One of the sources for researching the history of the first Ukrainians on the islands is the book "Hawaiian Ordeal: Ukrainian Contract Workers, 1897–1910", written by the Canadian historian of Ukrainian origin Mykhailo Evanchuk.
The work, based on archival documents, immigration records, letters, and eyewitness accounts, explores the lives of Ukrainian indentured laborers in Hawaii in 1897–1910, their work on plantations, adaptation to the new environment, and the first attempts to create a community.
Ukrainian churches and community initiatives
Today, one of the spiritual centers of Ukrainians in Hawaii is St. Sophia Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, located in the Waianae area on the island of Oahu near Honolulu.
The parish unites Ukrainians of the Greek Catholic tradition who live on various islands of the archipelago. Here, liturgies, prayer meetings, and celebrations of Christmas, Easter, Trinity, and the Savior are held.
Another spiritual environment is the Eastern Catholic Community in Hawaii, which unites believers of various Eastern Catholic traditions.
Among the public initiatives, Hawaii Stands With Ukraine stands out, which unites Ukrainians, Americans and representatives of other nationalities who support Ukraine.
After the start of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine in 2022, rallies in support of Ukraine were held on the islands, during which participants came out with blue-yellow flags, sang the Ukrainian anthem and called not to forget about the war.
The Pacific Gateway Center also supports immigrants and refugees on the islands. After 2022, the organization helped Ukrainian families who arrived in Hawaii.
The Ukrainian community today
Despite its small size, the Ukrainian community in Hawaii continues to develop, organize cultural and charitable events, support spiritual life, and preserve Ukrainian identity.
After 2022, Ukrainians on the islands have intensified their civic activities, launching new initiatives and cultural projects, continuing to tell the world about Ukraine even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: Myroslava Fallback.
Author: Danylo Pievchev