r the Republic of Hawaii was founded. The islands were
annexed by the U.S. in 1898 and made a territory in 1900. In 1959 Hawaii
first flew the stars and stripes as a full-fledged state.

Today Oahu welcomes an astounding number of visitors to share its exotic
scenery, eternal summer climate and warm aloha spirit.

[Illustration]

SUGAR AND PINEAPPLE

People the world over have enjoyed the sweet and succulent products the
Hawaiian Islands are famous for--sugar and pineapple. These are the two
most important agricultural industries in the archipelago. Pineapple can
grow at higher elevations and needs less water than sugar cane so the
crops don't compete for the same lands. Because Hawaii must import most
essentials from the U.S. mainland, the export of sugar and pineapple is
an important factor in the state's balance of trade. Also, with the
world running low on verdant spaces, sugar and pineapple are keeping
Oahu green.

SUGAR

Sugar cane came to the islands in the hulls of the great canoes those
early Polynesians sailed across the Pacific. Hawaiians planted it as a
windbreak around their homes and broke off sections to chew when they
traveled.

The first sugar plantation in Hawaii was started in Manoa Valley on Oahu
in 1825 and the first export recorded was two tons in 1837. The Royal
Hawaiian Agricultural Society was instrumental in bringing the initial
shipment of Chinese laborers to work the fields in 1852. This was the
beginning of waves of immigrant workers who have contributed a wealth of
cultural diversity to Hawaii.

Cane on Oahu takes about two years to mature. The industry is highly
mechanized and has virtually eliminated hand labor. Just before harvest,
whole fields of cane are deliberately set on fire. This destroys
unwanted leaves and other trash and does not affect the sugar content.

Hawaii's sugar industry is recognized as the world's leader in sugar
technology and production and its workers are among the highest paid
full-time agricultural workers in the world.

[Illustration: Sugar Cane Fields Burning]

PINEAPPLE

Pineapple was first introduced to the islands by a counselor to King
Kamehameha the Great in 1813. Today's industry got its greatest impetus
from Captain John Kidwell, an English horticulturist who searched the
world for a pineap