7.4 Economic and Social Changes in 19th Century Hawaii

Hawaii's economy transformed in the 19th century. Whaling brought trade and foreign influence to ports like Honolulu and Lahaina. Later, sugar plantations reshaped the islands, shifting land ownership and labor patterns.

These economic changes sparked social shifts. Asian immigrants arrived to work plantations, bringing new cultures. Western influences altered Hawaiian society, from government to family structures. The islands became a unique multicultural blend.

Economic Developments in 19th Century Hawaii

Growth of Hawaiian whaling industry

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  Whale Chart | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original

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  Whaling - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

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• Whaling industry emerged in Hawaii during 1820s-1860s with Honolulu and Lahaina becoming major ports
• Economic impacts boosted trade and commerce, developed support industries (shipbuilding, repair, provisioning), and brought influx of foreign currency
• Social impacts led to population growth in port towns, cultural exchange between Hawaiians and foreign sailors, and introduced new diseases (smallpox, measles)
• Industry declined due to overhunting of whales and discovery of petroleum as alternative to whale oil

Rise of Hawaiian sugar industry

• Sugar industry growth fueled by favorable climate, soil conditions, and 1875 Reciprocity Treaty with US
• Economic impacts shifted from subsistence agriculture to plantation economy, consolidated land ownership, and developed irrigation systems (Hamakua Ditch)
• Political impacts increased American influence in Hawaiian affairs, formed powerful sugar planter associations (HSPA), and pushed for US annexation
• Labor needs met through importation of contract workers from various countries (China, Japan, Philippines) creating multicultural plantation workforce

Social Changes in 19th Century Hawaii

Impact of Asian immigration

• Major immigrant groups included Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Filipino workers
• Cultural contributions introduced new languages, religions (Buddhism, Taoism), and customs, fusing culinary traditions (saimin, malasadas)
• Social challenges arose from racial tensions, discrimination, and formation of ethnic enclaves (Chinatown)
• Immigrants transitioned from plantation labor to small businesses and skilled trades (tailoring, carpentry)
• Long-term effects on demographics led to decline in native Hawaiian population and created multiethnic society

Western influence on Hawaiian society

• Traditional social hierarchy eroded kapu system and shifted from communal land ownership to private property
• Hawaiian monarchy adopted Western-style government structures and increased reliance on foreign advisors (Judd, Richards)
• Gender roles transformed, introducing Western concepts of gender division and changing women's traditional roles and rights
• Family structure shifted from extended family (ohana) to nuclear family model, altering child-rearing practices
• Religious changes spread Christianity and declined traditional Hawaiian spiritual practices (hula, kahunas)
• Educational reforms established Western-style schools and suppressed Hawaiian language in education