Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts of the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i & Tourism on Native Hawaiians

This literature review presents a vital exploration of colonialism, the illegal annexation of Hawai’i, and the subsequent emergence of the tourism industry as a neocolonial enterprise. Neocolonialism is the process of colonial dominance through modern exploitation, which is masked through economic opportunities and has left territories and their native people dependent on it. By tracing the major historical events in Hawai’i highlights how education was a vital aspect of Native Hawaiian culture, empowering its people - a stark contrast to the current education system where the education system perpetuates the commodification of Native Hawaiian culture. Education has played a pivotal role in reshaping narratives and contributing to the exploitation of Native Hawaiian culture for economic gains. In addition, this study employs a theoretical framework approach, drawing upon theories of settler colonialist ideologies embedded in the tourism industry. This examination highlights how the tourism industry functions as a neocolonial enterprise as it echoes historical power imbalances. Native Hawaiians have been marginalized within their own lands and make up a significant proportion of workers within the tourism industry, which demonstrates economic dependency and racialization. The analysis conducted displays the consequences of these interconnected and historical elements. The project not only highlights the exploitation of cultural heritage but also the multifaceted ways in which the tourism industry serves as a neocolonial enterprise, further alienating and disempowering Native Hawaiians. By addressing historical empowerment and modern-day exploitation, the study offers a critical perspective on how neocolonialism is interconnected within major institutions such as education and economics, while also offering a dialogue on indigenous rights and ethical tourism.