Modern Hawai'i's dependence upon a few industries limits the job opportunities available to both women and men. Instead of cooking, cleaning and sewing for bachelor fieldworkers, women now performed these same functions in the marketplace for tourists. The transformation of Lana'i pine workers into resort service workers reflects national economic trends. Low-waged service workers are compelled by high prices to find additional income for their family. All jobs are not equally available to all workers.
Many different factors influence the likelihood of women's participation in particular occupations.
While the excuse that women lack certain skills has been used to limit and devalue women's work, certain skills, especially education, have made a difference in the jobs for which working-class women may qualify. In the early 20th century, women with high school or business school diplomas had options for better paying jobs than women without education or english language skills. For some women working long hours at home was the only way they could combine family responsibilities and income-earning. Others carried their babies on their back while they worked in the fields. Some women had day nurseries available at their plantations, but not all could not afford the fees.