Hawaii is often thought of as a tropical paradise – an escape from the stress of daily life where palm trees sway and hula dancers welcome tourists with flower garlands. But beneath this picturesque image lies a history of displacement, forced cultural erosion, and economic exploitation.
The reality is that Hawaii’s path to statehood was paved with deception, violence, and the systematic dismantling of its native culture. Colonialism forever changed the islands, and its effects are still being felt today.
Here are 10 ways colonialism impacted Hawaii forever.
1. The Arrival of European Disease Devastated the Native Population
Before outside contact, Hawaii was home to a thriving indigenous population. That changed in the early 19th century when foreign visitors brought unfamiliar diseases like smallpox, measles, and syphilis. With no immunity, Native Hawaiians died by the tens of thousands. By 1853, an estimated 230,000 people had perished – an irreparable loss that left communities shattered and vulnerable to external control.
2. Protestant Missionaries Reshaped Hawaiian Society
Missionaries from the United States arrived in 1820, determined to spread Christianity across the islands. While they introduced Western education and literacy, they also imposed their moral values, discouraging traditional Hawaiian religious practices and ways of life. Over time, their influence created an upper class of white settlers who gained political and economic power, leaving native Hawaiians increasingly marginalized.
3. The Sugar and Pineapple Industries Took Over
Hawaii’s fertile land and tropical climate made it an agricultural goldmine for sugar and pineapple plantations. Non-native plantation owners, mostly Americans, acquired massive amounts of land and wealth while native Hawaiians were left to work in harsh conditions for minimal pay. As plantations expanded, the native population lost access to land and resources that had sustained them for centuries.
4. The Hawaiian Monarchy Was Overthrown by Business Interests
In 1893, a small group of American businessmen, backed by U.S. military forces, staged a coup against Queen Liliʻuokalani. These plantation owners and entrepreneurs, fearing that she would restore power to native Hawaiians, forcefully took control of the government. The coup was not an act of war but a calculated business move to ensure continued American economic dominance in the region.
5. Native Hawaiians Lost Their Right to Vote
Following the forced overthrow of the monarchy, Hawaii’s new rulers implemented the Bayonet Constitution, which stripped many native Hawaiians of their voting rights. Only those who owned land or had significant wealth were allowed to participate in government – a system that overwhelmingly favored white plantation owners and further erased native political influence.
6. The Hawaiian Language Was Banned
After the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, the U.S. government implemented policies designed to suppress native culture, including banning the Hawaiian language from schools and government buildings. Over time, fewer and fewer people spoke the language, and it nearly disappeared. It wasn’t until the 1970s that efforts to revive Hawaiian as an official language began to take hold.
7. The U.S. Military Used Hawaiian Lands for Weapons Testing
During World War II, Hawaii was placed under martial law, and large portions of its land were seized for military use. One of the most disturbing examples was the island of Kahoʻolawe, which the U.S. military used for bomb testing and nuclear drills. The environmental destruction was so severe that parts of the island remained uninhabitable even after the land was returned.
8. Tourism Replaced Native Hawaiian Land with Resorts
As Hawaii became a state in 1959, its economy shifted from agriculture to tourism. Beaches once considered sacred were turned into commercial resorts, and rising property values pushed native Hawaiians out of their communities. The economic benefits of tourism were largely enjoyed by outside investors, while native residents struggled with skyrocketing living costs.
9. Native Hawaiians Make Up a Disproportionate Share of the Homeless Population
Despite Hawaii’s image as a paradise, many of its native people struggle with poverty. Today, nearly 40% of the state’s homeless population is made up of native Hawaiians. The high cost of living, lack of affordable housing, and loss of traditional lands have created a crisis that the government has failed to properly address.
10. Congress Formally Apologized, but Nothing Changed
In 1993, the U.S. Congress issued a formal apology for its role in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. While the gesture acknowledged the injustice, it came with no real policy changes or reparations. Efforts to grant native Hawaiians the same rights as other indigenous groups, such as self-governance, have repeatedly failed in Congress, leaving them without the legal protections afforded to Native Americans and Native Alaskans.
Hawaiian Culture Has Been Commercialized
Much of what the world recognizes as Hawaiian culture – hula dancing, luaus, and leis – has been turned into entertainment for tourists. While these traditions remain deeply important to native Hawaiians, they are often reduced to superficial performances, stripped of their true meaning. Many Hawaiians continue to fight for the preservation and authenticity of their traditions in a world that prioritizes profit over cultural integrity.
The Fight for Land and Rights Continues
To this day, many native Hawaiians continue to push for land reparations and the right to self-govern. The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was supposed to provide affordable land leases to those of native Hawaiian descent, but the process has been plagued with delays and mismanagement. Thousands remain on the waiting list, and much of the land originally set aside has been repurposed for commercial or military use.
Tourism Comes at a Cost
While tourism fuels Hawaii’s economy, it also displaces local communities. The influx of wealthy investors and visitors has led to an ever-growing cost of living, making it nearly impossible for many native Hawaiians to afford homes. The frustration has sparked protests, with many locals demanding policies that prioritize residents over the demands of tourists.
Hawaii’s Future Remains Uncertain
Hawaii’s history is one of resilience, but also of continued struggle. The damage done by colonialism is not just a thing of the past – it remains embedded in modern-day politics, economics, and social structures. While efforts to restore cultural identity and land rights are ongoing, the battle is far from over. The question now is whether Hawaii will continue down a path dictated by outside interests or if its people will reclaim their rightful place in their own homeland.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.