Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States in August 21, 1959.
Hawaii is the United States of America’s 50th state, founded in 1959. Before Hawaii was officially U.S. territory a very rich history existed. 1,500 years ago the Polynesians were the first people to land on the island sailing over the mighty Pacific ocean on canoes. 500 years later immigrants from Tahiti migrated to Hawaii bringing extreme hierarchical institutions known as the “taboo” or kapu system. The Polynesians also brought pigs, taro, sweet potatoes and other things typically associated with Hawaiian culture. Today, after Hawaii became a state, the rich history of the graceful hula dance and surfing remain at the soul of the Hawaiian culture.
Hawaii became an official U.S. state after a long history of events. In 1778 just two years after the United State Constitution was signed, an English settler named James Cook landed on the shores of Kauai’s Waimea Bay. Captain Cook was the man who opened the West to Hawaii and was later killed while on the islands. At this time other immigrants were arriving to Hawaii from Asia, Europe, and other Pacific islands. By 1810 the islands were ruled by King Kamehameha I and developed a monarchical institution. By 1819, King Kamehameha II ruled and abolished the Polynesian founded kapu system of hierarchy and allowed women to rank which was previously forbidden. By 1875 an agreement called the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 was signed between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States which opened up borders to import Hawaiian sugarcane into mainland United States. This treaty not only opened up access to Hawaii but caused a boom in the agricultural economy on the islands. The United States government “ceded” Pearl Harbor and Ford Island and instituted that it be based by the U.S. Secretary of War, this act finally acknowledged Hawaii officially into the sovereign nation in 1959.