Big Five (Hawaii)

Big Five (Hawaii)

The Big Five refers to a group of powerful sugar and pineapple agribusinesses that dominated the economy and political landscape of the Territory of Hawaii during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These companies were Alexander & Baldwin, Amfac (formerly known as H. Hackfeld & Co.), C. Brewer & Co., Castle & Cooke, and Theo H. Davies & Co.. The influence of the Big Five extended beyond agriculture into nearly every aspect of Hawaiian life, including banking, transportation, and real estate.

History

The origins of the Big Five can be traced back to the mid-1800s, when the Kingdom of Hawaii was a strategic stopover for whaling and trading ships crossing the Pacific. The descendants of missionaries and other Western entrepreneurs began investing in sugar plantations, taking advantage of the islands' fertile soil and favorable climate. Over time, these planters consolidated their operations, forming partnerships and corporations that would eventually become the Big Five.

The Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the U.S. market tariff-free, spurring a boom in sugar production and solidifying the economic power of the Big Five. They utilized economies of scale, modern equipment, and cheap labor, often imported from Japan, China, Portugal, and the Philippines, to dominate the sugar industry.

Influence and Power

The Big Five wielded considerable political influence, both in the Kingdom of Hawaii and later in the Territory of Hawaii, following its annexation by the United States in 1898. They were instrumental in the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, leading to the establishment of a provisional government that favored American interests.

Through their control of the majority of Hawaii's arable land and their dominance in the islands' economic activities, the Big Five were able to exert a significant influence over Hawaii's labor market, politics, and society. They were often criticized for their monopolistic practices, which included price fixing and the control of wages, as well as their efforts to limit competition.

Decline

The power of the Big Five began to wane in the mid-20th century due to a combination of factors. The end of World War II brought significant changes to Hawaii's economy and society, including a shift towards tourism and away from agriculture as the primary economic driver. Additionally, labor movements and strikes, particularly the Hawaii Democratic Revolution of 1954, challenged the Big Five's control over the islands' workforce and politics.

The passage of statehood for Hawaii in 1959 further diminished the Big Five's influence, as new state regulations and federal laws began to break up their economic dominance. Over the following decades, the companies diversified their interests beyond agriculture, moving into industries such as real estate, finance, and tourism. Today, the legacy of the Big Five is seen in the companies that descended from them, many of which are still major players in Hawaii's economy, albeit in a significantly transformed landscape.

Legacy

The legacy of the Big Five is complex. On one hand, they played a crucial role in the development of Hawaii's economy and infrastructure. On the other hand, their practices and the social inequalities they perpetuated have been the subject of criticism. The story of the Big Five is a key chapter in the history of Hawaii, reflecting both the transformative impact of capitalism and the enduring tensions between economic power and social justice.