Final answer:
Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century who worked on sugar plantations in Hawaii had children who were generally taller than their parents and relatives in Japan, reflecting the significant impact of environmental factors on physical development.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early 20th century, many Japanese migrated to Hawaii, among other regions, to seek better economic opportunities. They worked primarily in the sugar plantations, which were in great need of labor due to the expansion of sugar as a commercial crop. For those who migrated to Hawaii and started families there, the children of these immigrants were generally taller than their parents and the people who remained in Japan. This is attributed to the changes in environment, diet, living conditions, and potentially less physically demanding childhoods compared to back in Japan where many were engaged in intense farming practices. Such a phenomenon where the children of immigrants exhibit notably different physical characteristics from their parents is a notable pattern seen among many migrant communities around the world