Ismaël Andriamasy, a man in his thirties from Mahajanga, Madagascar, has made the unusual choice of calling Honolulu, Hawaii, his new home. He has been living there for three years, working as a chemical engineer. His job requires him to work up to eleven hours a day but offers two months of vacation per year. Despite being far from his homeland, Andriamasy feels at ease in Honolulu, citing the similarities between the port city and his hometown.
Andriamasy's decision to move to Hawaii was not his first foray abroad. Before settling in Honolulu, he studied in Florida and returned to Madagascar to start his own business as a tourist guide and import-exporter of local products such as vanilla and cloves. However, his desire for new experiences led him to return to Florida, where he eventually secured a job opportunity in Hawaii. The island state, located in the Pacific Ocean, is the 50th and final state to join the United States, admitted on August 21, 1959.
One of the aspects that drew Andriamasy to Hawaii was the cultural and linguistic similarities between the island and Madagascar. He notes that the Polynesian people are very laid-back, and as a Malgache, he feels a strong affinity with them due to their shared Malayo-Polynesian language family. For example, the word "Aina" means "life" in both the Hawaiian language and Malagasy. This connection helps make his daily life in Hawaii more enjoyable.
Andriamasy is not the only Malgache living in Honolulu. He estimates that there are four Malgache families on the island, including an artist named M. Espérance, who is originally from Maroantsetra and has been living in Honolulu for about ten years. The Malgache community in Hawaii is close-knit, and they often meet up with former Peace Corps volunteers who served in Madagascar.
The Hawaiian culture, with its emphasis on relaxation and enjoyment of life, has been a great fit for Andriamasy. He enjoys trying local foods, such as poke, a type of Hawaiian sushi made with raw tuna marinated in soy sauce. He also appreciates the shaka gesture, a hand signal that means "relax" or "chill out," which is similar to the Malagasy "mora mora" expression.
In his free time, Andriamasy enjoys surfing and visiting Waikiki Beach, where he can take advantage of the island's famous waves. He feels at home in Hawaii, despite being born in Tsaramandroso Ambany, Mahajanga, to parents from Vatomasina Vohipeno. The majority of Hawaiians have a positive view of Madagascar, often mistakenly believing it to be a Polynesian island similar to their own.
As Andriamasy settles into his new life in Honolulu, he is grateful for the opportunity to experience a different culture and way of life. His story is a testament to the connections that can be made between people from different parts of the world and the adventures that await those who are willing to take the leap and try something new.
Key points
- Ismaël Andriamasy, a Malgache man, has been living in Honolulu, Hawaii, for three years, working as a chemical engineer and enjoying the island's laid-back lifestyle.
