№ 12 (70), 2025. On April 24, 2025. PIR Center will hold a seminar “Hawaii: Lessons of History: Russian Flag, and American Annexation” in a hybrid format

MOSCOW. APRIL 15, 2025. PIR PRESS.  “The annexation of Hawaii was only possible because of a military conflict that no one could have foreseen in 1893. The Spanish-American War was fought over Cuba, not Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands were a victim of their geographic location. Situated between the Americas and the Philippines, then one of the Spanish colonies, they suddenly gained strategic importance. The annexation of Hawaii was merely a military measure. A ridiculous excuse to become part of a nation that itself had struggled to gain its independence just over a hundred years before. Moreover, the war itself was later recognized as unnecessary, but the Hawaiian flag was nevertheless lowered on August 2, 1898, the same day that the United States and Spain signed an armistice. How can we explain this strange coincidence to posterity?”, – Prof. Niklaus R. Schweizer, Swiss historian and writer; extract from the book “His Hawaiian Excellency: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the Annexation of Hawaiʿi”

In 1816-1817, the Russian flag was raised over the island of Kauai, and names like the Don River and the fortresses of Elizabeth, Alexander and Barclay appeared on its map. These events, which almost made Hawaii part of the Russian Empire, remain a little-studied page of history. Fort “Elizabeth” (a fortress named after the Russian Empress) still exists, but there are proposals to rename it. This is part of the trend of revising Russian historical heritage in the United States.

How Russia Hawaii are bond together, why is Kauai called the pearl of Polynesia, and how can the Russian heritage be preserved in Hawaii today?

These and other issues will be addressed at PIR Center’s seminar “Hawaii: Lessons of History. The Russian Flag, and American Annexation” on April 24, 2025 at MGIMO University. For participants unable to take part personally, an online access will be available.

The keynote speaker will be Prof. Niklaus R. Schweizer, renowned Swiss historian and writer, Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Hawaii (1972-2009) and author of His Hawaiian Excellency: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the Annexation of Hawaiʿi who will tell the audience about the activities of the Russian-American Company in the islands in the XIX century. This book (translated into Russian by Irina Kolotyrkina) will be disseminated to all seminar participants who will be present in the meeting room.

Prof. Niklaus Schweizer devoted his entire life to the study of Hawaii, for which he was awarded the Royal Order of Kamehameha, the highest state award of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This is a rare case, considering that the number of awards is only 139 people.

The seminar will continue the tradition of previous PIR Center events on the topic of “Russian America”, such as round tables in 2017 and 2018 with the participation of diplomats and historians.

“More than two centuries ago, the Russian flag was raised over the island of Kauai. The Don River appeared on its map. The Hawaiian Islands were about to become part of the Russian Empire. After all, Hawaii is closer to Kamchatka than California. What happened two centuries ago? Why did not Hawaii become Russian land? What became of the Russian heritage of Kauai today?”, – Dr. Vladimir Orlov, PIR Center Director; MGIMO University Professor; Academic Director of the International Security Master’s Program.

As special guests of the event are invited Dr. Igor Istomin, Head of the Department of Applied Analysis of International Problems, MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and independent expert Ms. Cynthia Lazaroff, Dr. Vladimir Orlov, PIR Center Founding Director, MGIMO University Professor, will also deliver a presentation.

In 2025, in addition to the special guests, students of International Security Program (implemented by MGIMO University PIR Center together) will present their reports and analyze historical lessons in the context of modern challenges.

Do not miss the opportunity to dive into the fascinating past and present of “Russian Hawaii”, one of the most enigmatic pages in history. The seminar will also examine Hawaii’s role and place in the international arena today and analyze current U.S. ambitions through a historical perspective.

Format and Conditions of Participation:

The event will be held on April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Moscow Standard Time) in a hybrid format:

• Offline: MGIMO University, Hall 9. For external guests who would like to participate in the event in person and do not have an MGIMO pass, please contact PIR Center intern Herman Selyavin via e-mail: intern2@pircenter.org.
• Online: broadcast via Yandex.Telemost platform.

The working language is English

Registration for online participants is mandatory (until 12:00 p.m. on April 23, 2025).

For questions about participation, please contact PIR Center intern Herman Selyavin via e-mail: intern2@pircenter.org

Keywords: Hawaii; Russia; USA

ISMA

F13/AST – 25/04/15