On this day 125 years ago, on April 30, 1900 (April 2, 1900 in the lunar calendar), Hawaii became a territory of the United States. On April 30, 1900, Hawaii has now officially become a territory of the United States. Hawaii, a chain of islands located near the heart of the North Pacific Ocean, has wanted to become part of the United States for many years. In 1898, the United States agreed to annex the islands and give them the status of a US territory. However, it was not until this spring that Congress decreed the terms of establishing a new government on the island. President McKinley turned Hawaii into a US territory for the first time, citing the islands as a natural gateway to trade with the East and their strategic military importance. Sanford-B-Dole, former president of the Republic of Hawaii, will take office as governor of the new territory.