Human relations and local and national governments’ administration have helped shape the international community as politics, law, and economics influence decisions. With increasing awareness of global connectivity, the environment and underrepresented populations have also emerged in discussions at various scales. The study considers literature and dialogues on law, colonialism, environmental justice, and human behavior to investigate the evolution of Hawaii and its people. The state of Hawaii offers a framework for exploring transnational conduct, revealing historical and current uses of the law, the environment, and hierarchical relations connected to overarching topics of colonialism, environmental justice, and recognition. Previous literature reveals that the Pacific Islanders of Hawaii contrast from other Indigenous communities in the United States and the world due to social and legal positionings, including but not limited to the commercialization of Pacific Islander culture and the lack of formal rights. These differences indicate opportunities for the United States government and the Pacific Islanders of Hawaii to modify their interactions and facilitate reform for mutual benefit. Nevertheless, the fundamental relations between the Pacific Islanders of Hawaii and “non-Indigenous” peoples represent global themes of hierarchy, social disparity, and competition. Framing Hawaii alongside prevailing transnational conversations grounds theories of the human experience in a case study of legal, environmental, and racial influences. Relevant literature portrays the development of law throughout the international community with debates regarding the extent and applicability of specific governance regarding colonialism, trade, and the environment. In addition, the environment and racial identifications contribute diverse and complex perceptions, becoming increasingly significant with globalization. Therefore, Hawaii is observed as a product of the international community and a catalyst for understanding different perspectives, priorities, and consequences that can be utilized for effective cohabitation and cooperation moving forward.