Final answer:
Hawaii is heavily represented by the tourist industry, which is its major economic driver, but it has led to a higher cost of living and housing issues. The industry is sustained by investments in infrastructure and historical attractions. Tourism impacts are a balance of economic benefit and social challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hawaii is represented by the tourist industry as a major economic force, which brings both positive and negative impacts to the islands. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, O'ahu's tourism industry was booming, with a significant daily tourist presence contributing to the state's revenue. The famous Waikīkī Beach and the state capital, Honolulu, are located on O'ahu, drawing visitors from around the world.
The influx of tourism dollars has led to a robust economy with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. However, the industry has also driven up the cost of living and reduced the availability of affordable housing, leading to higher poverty and homelessness rates. Tourism's role in Hawaii also relates to the islands' historical dependency on the United States for market access, previously for the sugar industry, but now more predominantly for tourism.
Investments in infrastructure such as airports and hotels are necessary to sustain and grow the tourism sector. Additionally, attractions like the sugar mill in Kahuku serve as reminders of the island's historical natural resource-based industrialization, now repurposed for tourism.