The Organic Act, enacted by the United States Congress, officially established Hawaii as a U.S. territory on June 14, 1900. This legislation followed the 1898 annexation of Hawaii, which began an era of significant transformation for the islands, transitioning from its sovereign monarchy, led by Queen Liliuokalani, to an organized territorial government. The Organic Act aimed to introduce a local government that adhered to U.S. laws, providing a structured approach to governance that included the establishment of an elected legislature and territorial governor. The first governor appointed was Sanford B. Dole, who earlier had played a pivotal role in the annexation process.

The act also set forth regulations regarding land ownership, labor, and taxation, with considerable implications for the Hawaiian population, particularly native Hawaiians, who faced cultural and political changes as a result of American rule. Moreover, this transition coincided with the burgeoning interests of American sugar planters and other business entities in the islands, seeking better access to the lucrative U.S. markets. The establishment of Hawaii as a territory provided a strategic military outpost for the U.S. in the Pacific, which would later prove important during World War II.

Overall, this move to establish a territorial government marked a crucial shift, as it integrated Hawaii into the broader American political landscape, setting the stage for its eventual statehood in 1959. The implications of the Organic Act have resonated through Hawaiian politics, culture, and identity to this day.