How Has Imperialism Changed Hawaii

Hawaii, a tropical state known to many, and originally founded by the Polynesians, is a dream vacation spot for people around the world. It is full of beaches, volcanoes, and unique wildlife. Hawaii was announced the 50th state of the United States of America in 1959, however, was not always accessible to outsiders. The island has a rich history of cultural and political independence behind them before being annexed by the United States.. Imperialism has changed Hawaii for the worse due to the wrath of the United States infringing the indigenous culture.

Historians and archaeologists believe that the first settlers in Hawaii were Polynesian islanders, who came from the Marquesas islands, and arrived in Hawaii between 300 A.D. and 800 A.D.

The Tahiti, Bora Bora and Raiatea islanders then settled in Hawaii in the 1000s. They brought their culture, which consisted of a practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, exotic food, handmade jewelry, and vocal and instrumental music played on a ukulele. The islanders followed a polytheistic religion called Kapu, which many people considered to be a lifestyle. They believed in human sacrifice, as well as that they had a God for almost every natural element. They had priests and leaders called Kahuna and Alii. The islanders also had a distinguished caste system for those who lived under the “Kapu code”. The “Kapu Code” was a code of conduct stating the rules and regulations of living in Hawaii, such as style, gender roles, politics and religion. These cultural aspects were the original characteristics of Hawaii, and therefore should still be practiced.
The first European contact was made with Hawaii by Captain James Cook, in 1778. Traders and missionaries often came to the islands from Europe and the United States, and saw major differences in the lifestyle of Hawaiians. They were opposed to the Hawaiian monarchy because it was a lot different than a British-style monarchy, where the monarch held little to no power. Additionally, the last reigning monarch was Queen Liliuokalani, the first woman to be in power, as well as the last ruler of the kingdom. She attempted to establish a new constitution in order to restore power to the monarchy and Hawaiian people, but floundered, and abdicated when the monarchy was overthrown. At the same time, the United States was looking for new land to conquer, and saw Hawaii as a realistic opportunity, but Hawaii fought back with the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement, with intentions to receive freedom, which would hopefully bring back the originality of its culture. However, in 1898, Hawaii was officially annexed by the United States, and Sanford B. Dole became the first president of the state government, a new system Hawaii adapted after being annexed by the United States.
During the next forty years, Hawaii entered into a number of political and economic treaties with the United States.

In 1887, the United States established a naval base at Pearl Harbor. The naval base imported sugar from other countries, and succeeded for many years. Although the Hawaiian culture has not been the same, the annexation of the state definitely modernized the culture, as well as improved the economy.

During the next four decades, Hawaii entered into a number of political and economic treaties with the United States, and in 1887 a U.S. naval base was established at Pearl Harbor as part of a new Hawaiian constitution. Sugar exports to the United States expanded greatly during the next four years, and U.S. investors and American sugar planters on the islands broadened their domination over Hawaiian affairs. However, in 1891 Liliuokalani, the sister of the late King Kalakaua, ascended to the throne, refusing to recognize the constitution of 1887 and replacing it with a constitution increasing her personal authority.

, as well During the period when the United States took over Hawaii, the people who hadl ived in hawaii for 10000 years had their own culture and once the us took over they tried to impose their own western values on a culture that had been enjoying its own value system for thousands of

years.