The Study of Russia from the Center of the Pacific

Professor Amir Khisamutdinov (Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) will present "The Study of Russia from the Center of the Pacific." Hawaiʻi’s role in the development of international relations between Russia/Soviet Union and Asia-Pacific region countries is long and complex. This talk will begin by looking at the round-the-world voyages from St. Petersburg via Honolulu to Alaska, and then to the Russian Far East. The establishment of diplomatic relations with Hawaiʻi in 1860 increased connections between Russia and the United States. In the early twentieth century, Russian laborers were brought to work on Hawaiian sugar plantations, becoming a permanent part of the local community.

Russian Studies became a fundamental part of the University of Hawaiʻi’s curriculum following Ella Wiswell’s establishment of the program for teaching Russian language in 1954. This work was followed by the contributions of UH History Professors Klaus Menhert, John White, and John Stephan, each of whom made great contributions to the study of Russia and its role in Northeast Asia. In addition the unique collection of Russian émigré materials from China, Korea, Japan, Australia, the Pacific coast of the U.S., and South America, are housed in Hamilton’s library.

The presentation will be followed by a reception.

Ticket Information
Free and open to the public

Event Sponsor
History and LLEA, Mānoa Campus

More Information
(808) 956-6308, polansky@hawaii.edu

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