Hawaii: America's Singapore

Britain managed to set up Singapore as highly capitalistic entrepot. It is only a small island but it has an extremely high standard of living with a diverse economy. It is located in the middle of southeast Asia so it is in the middle of tons of trade. Hawaii, on the other hand, is one of the poorer states and most of its money comes from tourism. However, it's location is right in the middle of the Americas and Asia where there is also tons of trade.

Could Hawaii have been America's Singapore? What would have to be done in order for this to happen?

(I didn't compare it to Hong Kong because Hawaii doesn't border a much larger nation.)
 
I highly doubt it, where Singapore is along a important and strategic trade route in a area with several nations & high population. Hawaii is in the middle of the ocean, and really only has value to it for it's port.
 
Hawaii was annexed by the USA because it was a valueable location,half way to Australia or the Phillipines..it made sence. But to compare to to Singapore, I don't think so..not really. I doubt America had interest in the South Pacific before the late 1800's.
 
Britain managed to set up Singapore as highly capitalistic entrepot. It is only a small island but it has an extremely high standard of living with a diverse economy. It is located in the middle of southeast Asia so it is in the middle of tons of trade.
Singapore's economy was built up after independence. Before that it didn't have much of an economy other than the posh British officer's clubs.
 
Hrmm. I'm surprised, since it was one of the world's largest ports in 1940.
Singapore port existed to move rubber and tin out of Malaysia. It was an economy of coolie labour. The island itself didn't have a "highly capitalistic entrepot... an extremely high standard of living with a diverse economy" in 1940.
 
Singapore's economy was built up after independence. Before that it didn't have much of an economy other than the posh British officer's clubs.

It was a major entrepot port, though- the difference was that before Independence most of the money wasn't getting pumped into the local economy. You're right in that there was hardly any industry, though- it was a raw materials refining and transshipment point. After Independence the decision was made to initiate industrial development so that those raw materials could be worked into industrial products to be exported to the West. Then, Singapore's importance as a commercial centre grew- it's commerce rather than industry which supports the economy now.
 
Hawaii was annexed by the USA because it was a valueable location,half way to Australia or the Phillipines..it made sence. But to compare to to Singapore, I don't think so..not really. I doubt America had interest in the South Pacific before the late 1800's.

You are partially correct. However, Hawaii is not half way to Australia or the Philippines. It does have the only major port in the Northern Pacific and is necessary for transit to points east. It was valuable as a source of fresh water in the age of sail and a major coaling station, later naval base, in the age of steam.
 
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