American interest in the Hawaiian islands began as early as the 1820s, when Christian missionaries from New England tried to spread their faith to the native inhabitants. By the 1850s, the booming sugar trade encouraged U.S. investment and territorial acquisition of sugar plantations on the islands. In 1890, the recently enacted U.S. tariffs greatly curtailed the sugar growers’ profit margin causing a destabilized Hawaiian economy. The sugar growers supported a movement for U.S. annexation, mostly as a strategic way to bypass the tariff problem and open up the markets within the U.S. Meanwhile Queen Liliuokalani was against foreign interference and encouraged Hawaiian independence. With help from American military, the planters staged a coup to overthrow the Queen, forcing her to abdicate. President Cleveland was against spreading American imperialism and tried to stamp out the insurrection and restore the Queen to the throne. Yet, the matter was never resolved during the Cleveland administration, and when war broke out with Spain in 1898, the military significance of Hawaiian ports as naval bases and fueling stations outweighed all other considerations. President William McKinley signed a joint resolution annexing the islands.

Harvard holds a couple interesting publications from the turbulent 1890s. In one ‘pre-annexation’ publication from 1891, Lorrin Andrew Thurston, a lawyer, politician, and businessman born in Hawaii, mostly promotes the islands as place for travel and pleasure, but also makes note of its health benefits, growing commerce, and opportunity. Thurston also played a prominent role in the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

Many a convalescent from prolonged illness, whose getting up is slow,and likely to be still further delayed by approaching winter, will be almost sure to find health and quickly restored strength by a few months in the tropics. It is the ideal land for children, especially for the delicate, nervous little ones who suffer from the confinement necessary during the winter season. Under those genial skies, living out of doors, running barefoot, brown with the sunshine, and appetites hearty with exercise, the frail little bodies expand visibly from day to day into health and vigor.

Across the glory a native canoe glides past, manned by Hawaiians. But what are those sounds of screaming and laughter? We turn and see the water full of women, girls and children, inmates of those cottages which line the the shore. These people, so refined and cultured, are yet perfectly natural. When they are in the water they think of nothing but the delight of it. None of the posing, half-hearted dips of Nantasket bathers. They swim in every imaginable way. They float, they tread water, they dive, they plunge, and are so in love with it all, that an hour, sometimes two, passes before they can tear themselves away.

To-day Hawaii stands in the front line of nineteenth century civilization, with a public school, judicial and political system, and with educational facilities equaled in but few countries in the world. Thirty years ago Hawaii was a “sleepy hollow” under a nominally constitutional, but really semi-patriarchal government, the king having absolute veto power over legislation. To-day the islands are aroused to an extraordinary industrial energy.

In a post-annexation handbook published by the Department of Foreign Affairs, focus is shifted towards “settling” of Hawaii by Americans, rather than a tourist destination. The publications spotlight the growing infrastructure, including railroads, housing, churches, education, etc. Written by Dan Logan, often referred to as the Dean of Hawaiian Newspaper, he lays out the clear purpose of the publication.

In preparing this sort of omnibus reply to all kinds of inquiries, the opportunity is afforded of setting forth the attractions of Hawaii for health and pleasure, as well as the field it may afford for investment and settlement.

English was early taught as a classic in the large mission schools. It was recognized as the vernacular in 1876 at Lahainaluna Seminary, afterward becoming there the dominant medium of instruction. Gradually the transformation went on until 1896, when teaching in this language became obligatory in all schools. American text books are employed almost exclusively in the public schools.

Within recent years, they have largely shed their original village aspect, rude shacks having been replaced with imposing blocks of modern stores. One of these contains one of the largest public halls in the group. The steadily growing business of the town is extending into streets parallel with these two main thoroughfares, and Hilo bids fair before long to have miles of plate-glass fronts.

Description: Vistas of Hawaii :”the paradise of the Pacific and inferno of the world”. St. Joseph, Mich. : Published by W.F. Sesser for the Kilauea Volcano House Co. and the Oahu Railway and Land Co., [1891?]. Persistent Link: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:8049800 Repository: Widener Library Institution: Harvard University

Description: Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands :a handbook of information. Honolulu : Dept. of Foreign Affairs, 1899. Persistent Link: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:4513284 Repository: Widener Library Institution: Harvard University