During the 1874-1891 reign of Kalakaua, Hawaii and the United States signed a
treaty, permitting access to U.S. markets for Hawaiian sugarcane.

Kalakaua tried to increase the powers of his monarchy, which at least partly
led to his successor's, Queen Liliuokalani's, being deposed in 1893.

The following year, foreign interests established a provisional government,
headed by Sanford B. Dole.  The U.S. interests then sought U.S. annexation,
which formally was accomplished on August 12, 1898.

Two years later, Hawaii became a U.S. territory.  At that time, pineapples were
beginning to be a major commercial crop, and sugar output was growing.  The
United States built large military bases, including Pearl Harbor in 1911.

The 1940s and 1950s were marked by labor problems.  Agitation for statehood,
dating back to the 1920s, increased.  Hawaii became the 50th state on August
21, 1959.