The revolution of 1893 and the subsequent annexation had devastating effects on the native Hawaiian culture, effectively leading to the demise of a once-sovereign nation. This upheaval marked a significant turning point, resulting in deep societal changes and the loss of independence for the Hawaiian people.

However, despite the severity of this history, the outcomes for Hawaii were comparatively less tragic than those in other nations subjected to similar imperialistic actions. Stephen Kinzer's book emphasizes that, in this case, the consequences were not as catastrophic as they could have been, suggesting a complex legacy of American intervention and its varying impacts across different contexts.