The Economy
 
Waikiki Beach plays a significant role in Hawaii's tourism, and thus its economy, as it has luxurious  hotels, great stores, warm weather, and of course, the gorgeous beach.
 
    "Tourism...Tourism...Tourism..."  Those are the words that most often come to mind when one thinks about the economy of Hawaii.  Undoubtedly, tourism is the driving force that has helped propel Hawaii into an economic powerhouse, especially during the early 1990's.  However, many other factors must be considered when trying to get a grasp of the overall picture.  From its early days of sandalwood, pineapples and sugar cane to its current focus on tourism, Hawaii's economy has always been unique in its own way.  Unfortunately, Hawaii is currently in the midst of one of the worst recessions in its short history.  Unemployment is extraordinarily high and the cost of living is one of the highest in the nation.  These are just some of the many tradeoffs that we "Locals" have to pay for living in paradise.  By browsing through this page, you will get a better perspective of Hawaii's economy as a whole.
 
 
Date Event
1798-1830 greatest activity for fur
1800- 1836 greatest activity for sandalwood
1828-1859 greatest activity for whaling
 
 Date                                                    Event
1895 Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association(HSPA) is founded
1900 Hawaii's Organic Act ends contract-labor system
1901 James Dole forms Hawaiian Pineapple Company
1905 C and H Sugar is formed
1926 Sugar interests buy stock in Matson Navigation Company
1932 Castle and Cooke takes over Hawaiian Pineapple Company
1935 National Labor Relations Act is passed
1945 Hawaii Employment Relations Act is passed
1945-1946 ILWU represents labor; wins contracts in long shore, sugar, and pineapple industries
1949 Dock strike cripples Hawaii's economy; 
"Big Five" dominates Hawaii's economy; 
Sugar is Hawaii's largest industry; pineapple is second

 
 
Here is the result of James Dole's pioneering of the pineapple industry in Hawaii.
 
 
1959 jetliner service to Hawaii begins with Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-8s
late 1960s Hawaii becomes a popular vacation spot for Japanese travelers; thousands of American soldiers stationed in Vietnam meet family in Hawaii during rest and recuperation program generating heavy income.
1970s energy crisis hurts Hawaii's economy
1975 construction of hotels and restaurants reaches its peak after skyrocketing in the 1960s and early 1970s
1980 tourist trade drops for the first time since 1949 as a result of the energy crisis
1993 The construction of the Convention Center, which is projected to generate high revenue from out of state sources, begins.
1996-1997 filing of bankrupties hits an all-time high