The sugar cane, which was a major cash crop in the nineteenth century, brought with it serious consequences for Hawaii's natural environment and population. Though the crop was grown in Hawaii since 600 AD it was not a staple in the Hawaiians' diet nor was it produced on a large scale. The creation of a sugar hierarchy led to the monopolization of lands and the subjugation of the natives. The development of plantations benefited the few wealthy American land owners who made large profits despite the expenditure that was necessary to keep them running. The diverse population that exists in Hawaii is connected to the dominance of sugar in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Thousands of indentured servants were contracted to work on the islands from Japan, Puerto Rico, China and The Philippines, many of which remained after the fall of sugar on the island.

The Introduction of Sugar Plantations
Unlike many Caribbean territories which began producing sugar cane in the eighteenth century, Hawaii remained a relatively diversified agricultural society. The first noted sugar mill to have been implemented on the islands was by an unnamed Chinese immigrant who developed Hawaii's first sugar mill in 1802. It was not until 1835 that an official sugar plantation was established on the islands. The Old Sugar Mill of Koloa was formally introduced by Ladd & Co. By 1836 the plantation produced approximately 8 tons of sugar and molasses which was then shipped to the United States. This marked the turning point in Hawaii's history.

By 1804 several sugar plantations sprang up on the islands. Modern innovations at the time like the steam ship, helped to increase the speed at which the sugar was transported to the United States, the main consumer of Hawaiian sugar. Because the plantations required a large area for the cultivation and processing of sugar cane and its products, new laws were implemented that sought to displace the natives from their land holdings. The act was formally known as the Division Law of 1848. However, the act was amended to allow foreigners, mostly Americans to buy these lands and lease them.

The demand for sugar greatly increased during the American Civil War because of the deficit of sugar products that were shipped from the Southern states to the Northern states. The result of this increasing need led to sugar prices that were 5 times higher than normal. Hawaiian plantations further benefited from tax concessions on sugar exports outlined by the Treaty of 1875 which dramatically raised the level of profits during the period. This would be reversed by the 1890 McKinley Tariff Act which aimed to reduce the competitiveness of Hawaiian sugar in the United States. This resulted in owners receiving 2 cents per pound of sugar supplied, a decline from the previous 25 cents per pound. Fortunately for sugar plantation owners the act was repealed four years later.

The Monopoly of the Missionaries
The early missionaries did far more than merely try to Christianize people they believed were heathens. They took the land that they had found as their personal treasure and used it as they pleased. The five largest plantations aptly named "The Big Five" were owned by missionary families. The major companies were Alexander & Baldwin, American Factors, Castle & Cooke, Thee H Davies and C. Brewer and Company. Within a short period they would also monopolize the banking, importation, shipping and warehousing sectors. This led to the further oppression of the people who resultantly had to pay inflated prices for food and other necessities.

The native Hawaiians made up most of their labor force. They not only became dependent on these large companies for wages but also other goods and services, the workers were very little better off than slaves during this period. The lands were sold cheaply which did not benefit the natives but instead already prospering land owners. The labor force, despite the large profits, remained grossly underpaid. By 1893 the Kingdom of Hawaii was but a distant memory, the missionaries had successfully dominated the once humble and free people and claimed as much wealth as they could.

The Change in the Environment
Before the development of these plantations, Hawaii enjoyed a diversified fishing and agricultural system. Many natives owned small pockets of land and subsistence farming thrived. Eventually banana and taro plantations emerged, however, not to the extent of sugar nor with the consequence of displacement. As sugar became king, plantations were set up in strategic locations. The most fertile soils were used within close proximity of a large enough water supply. The plantations relied on a great deal of water to thrive. This led to the irrigation of lands and the inevitable construction of tunnels used to divert water from the mountains to the vast fields of sugar cane.

The water issue became a major concern. Hawaii was home to a large body of salt water but not as much fresh water. In addition, the water was misused and wasted in the highly involved processing of the sugar cane. One pound of sugar required as much as one ton of water during the refinement process. But the environmental woes did not end there. The clearing of forests to accommodate plantations led to large areas of deforestation and soil erosion.

The creation of a few tons of sugar created air and water pollution from the running of mills dependent on the burning of coal, a major fossil fuel, deforestation and improper waste management of byproducts.

Fortunately for the small islands sugar was not a mainstay. By the 1920's Cuba became a leading competitor on the market lowering the profitability of Hawaiian sugar. Workers' strikes and the formation of strong unions also helped to make the existence of sugar plantations far less attractive and as a result the Big Five reduced their production levels. Hawaii benefited greatly from this move. The collective islands ushered in a new wave of tourism, which was far more environmentally friendly and more lucrative economically. Today the country is one of the most ideal tourist destinations in the world because of its exotic beauty, diverse culture and dynamic peoples.

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