Gateway State: Hawai'i and the Cultural Transformation of American Empire

Gateway State explores how Hawai i became a model for liberal multiculturalism and a tool of American global power in the era of decolonization, symbolizing John F. Kennedy's New Frontier and a bridge to Cold War Asia. However, racial inequality and U.S. imperialism continued to shape the fiftieth state, leading to a backlash against its white-dominated institutions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Gateway State: Hawai i's Journey to Multiculturalism in the Mid-Twentieth Century

Hawai i's journey to statehood in the mid-twentieth century was a remarkable testament to the power of multiculturalism and its potential to shape the course of American history. The establishment of Hawai i statehood in 1959 marked a watershed moment, not only in the ways Americans defined their nation's role on the international stage but also in the ways they understood the challenges of social difference at home.

Hawai i's transition from a racially problematic overseas colony to a symbol of postwar multiculturalism was a response to both independence movements abroad and the limitations of civil rights in the United States. The statehood advocates argued that Hawai i, with its majority Asian population, could serve as a bridge to Cold War Asia and a global showcase of American democracy and racial harmony.

In the aftermath of statehood, business leaders and policymakers worked to institutionalize and sell this ideal by capitalizing on Hawai i's diversity. Asian Americans in Hawai i never lost a perceived connection to Asia, instead, their ethnic difference became a marketable resource to help other Americans navigate a decolonizing world.

However, as excitement over statehood dimmed, the utopian vision of Hawai i fell apart, revealing how racial inequality and U.S. imperialism continued to shape the fiftieth state and igniting a backlash against the islands' white-dominated institutions.

Gateway State: Hawai i's Journey to Multiculturalism in the Mid-Twentieth Century explores the complex and multifaceted history of Hawai i, highlighting its role as a model for liberal multiculturalism and a tool of American global power in the era of decolonization. The book delves into the establishment of Hawai i statehood, the challenges faced by its Asian American population, and the institutionalization of multiculturalism in the state. It also examines the utopian vision of Hawai i and the backlash against its white-dominated institutions.

Through its comprehensive analysis, Gateway State provides a valuable insight into the development of multiculturalism in the United States and its impact on the broader world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and social justice in shaping the course history and future of nations.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 156 x 231 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691217352