Final answer:
The white business owners in Hawaii were mostly the sons of European explorers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question is B) European explorers.
The white business owners in Hawaii were mostly the sons of European explorers. These business owners, often referred to as American plantation owners, owned the sugarcane fields in Hawaii, which were a lucrative industry at the time. They played a significant role in the economic and political power dynamics in Hawaii during the late 19th century.