It’s a great jumping point into Asia’s sphere of influence, from the naval bases on the island chain the US can access pretty much all of east Asia and the island nations around there. When McKinley said this, it was more theoretical than anything. But it was proven in WWII, when Hawai’i was used as a base of operations for the Marines and the navy in the war against Japan.
Ironically, Japan saw Hawai’i as a great jumping point into North America, which is the provided reason for their attack on the island chain.
Modernly NATO has Japan, South Korea, HK, and a few other places that they can launch attacks or imperialist missions into Asia’s sphere of influence from, but Hawai’i is still used as a launching point for the navy. If you join the American navy to work on ships of war, you’re very likely going to end up in Hawai’i at some point in your career.
It’s a great jumping point into Asia’s sphere of influence, from the naval bases on the island chain the US can access pretty much all of east Asia and the island nations around there. When McKinley said this, it was more theoretical than anything. But it was proven in WWII, when Hawai’i was used as a base of operations for the Marines and the navy in the war against Japan.
Ironically, Japan saw Hawai’i as a great jumping point into North America, which is the provided reason for their attack on the island chain.
Modernly NATO has Japan, South Korea, HK, and a few other places that they can launch attacks or imperialist missions into Asia’s sphere of influence from, but Hawai’i is still used as a launching point for the navy. If you join the American navy to work on ships of war, you’re very likely going to end up in Hawai’i at some point in your career.