Hawai'i's 50th Anniversary of Statehood | Before and After | The Honolulu Advertiser

See this series as it appeared in The Honolulu Advertiser: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

August 16, 2009

Advertiser library photo
A bold bid for equality
Born of a desire to shed "second-class" status as a U.S. territory (and with it the social, economic and political encumbrances it perpetuated) and shaped by governmental and popular responses to the larger forces of history, the statehood era in Hawai'i has seen equal measures of good and bad from a half-century of rapid development, political awakening and social upheaval.

August 16, 2009
Agriculture's deep roots
There was, the joke goes, diversified agriculture in Hawai'i even before the demise of the plantation system: You could have your sugar raw, granulated or powdered or your pineapple sliced, wedged, chunked or juiced.

August 16, 2009
Military-Hawaii ties
When Col. Mike Lundy, commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, first arrived in Hawai'i, he was struck by what he saw as a "phenomenally close" relationship between the U.S. military, the local government and the community at large.

August 16, 2009
Tourism leads economy
In 1959, military spending outstripped the combined revenue generated by Hawai'i's sugar and pineapple industries, the pillars upon which Hawai'i's modern economy had been built. That year, tourism ranked a distant No. 3.

August 16, 2009
Hawaiian renaissance
There are myriad measures by which to quantify the Native Hawaiian experience of the statehood era.

August 16, 2009
Statehood commission
The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission has supported a number of educational community events and projects to highlight Hawai'i's history during this anniversary year.

August 16, 2009
Changing how we shop
Eight days before Hawai'i became a state, another momentous development in Isle history occurred that would shape a routine habit of residents for the next 50 years-and-counting.

August 16, 2009
The big bonfire
A half century and five months ago, the statehood bonfire was a bonfire like no other in Hawai'i.

August 16, 2009
Ike was gracious in accepting a lei
I was a freshman at Skidmore College when the governor of Hawai'i, William Quinn, chose me to represent our new state as its 1959 Cherry Blossom Princess to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington,...

August 16, 2009
Legacy of 50

The imprints contribute to the story of Hawai'i since statehood. From culture to business to politics and beyond, these 50 have helped in myriad ways to define the Aloha State. Since 1959, Hawai'i...

August 16, 2009
John Burns

In the crucial first years that followed statehood, as growth swept over Hawai'i with hurricane force, the architect of change was John A. Burns, who served three terms as governor.

August 16, 2009
Ah Quon McElrath

Ah Quon McElrath dedicated her life to the rights of working people. She was a tireless defender of the underdog whose efforts shaped the history of labor and social justice across the state.

August 16, 2009
Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo'ole
After his death in June 1997, Israel “Bruddah Iz” Kamakawiwo'ole became one of only five people to lie in state in the rotunda of the state Capitol.

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Hawaii Statehood Conference

When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2009

Where: Hawaii Convention Center

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Cost: $30 per delegate; $15 per student delegate

Highlights: Top experts discuss the 21st century economy, education for the next generation, tomorrow's energy, technology in our lives and Native Hawaiians in a sea of change.

Registration: Online pre-registration ends Monday, Aug. 17, at 5 p.m. After that, on-site registration at the convention center is available.

Full schedule: View a Full Statehood conference schedule

The Fab 50

Who do you think are the teams and athletes who made a difference since statehood. Vote, and read our series on major figures who transformed sports in Hawaii. More »

Share your Statehood photo

Daily Historic Photos

Photo galleries

Weekly Reader Column

The Advertiser wants your memories of Hawai'i's admission into statehood. We will publish a selection of personal accounts in the newspaper and online. Your reflections could include:

• Memories of events leading to statehood or of Admission Day itself.

• What statehood has meant to you or your family.

• How Hawai'i has benefited — or suffered — under statehood during the past 50 years.

• What you miss about Hawai'i from around the time the state entered the union.

We are seeking articles of about 500 words or brief vignettes of fewer than 100 words. Articles of other lengths will also be considered. We also welcome photographs that include descriptive information about the photo and when and where it was taken.

Send all contributions to 50th@honoluluadvertiser.com. Include your name and a contact phone number or numbers. Only e-mail contributions are being accepted.