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Setting the scene
Annexed in 1898 after American businessmen deposed Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian Islands supplied Pearl Harbor and plantation sugar; postwar tourism and military buildup increased mainland interest in full representation despite Native Hawaiian sovereignty movements.
What happened
Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959, completing the flag's current star pattern when Eisenhower welcomed the former kingdom as America's Pacific bridge.
Why it still matters
Tourism and military bases shaped its economy, from Waikiki hotels to Pacific Command headquarters; debates over Hawaiian language revival, land trusts, and water rights continue alongside the islands' role in Asia-Pacific diplomacy.
Background
Tourism and military bases shaped its economy.