As I understand it, the issue is that huge sugar cane plantations have just been left empty.

Sugar cane used to be native, then it was used for plantations, then it was removed, then invasive plants took over the empty space more quickly than any native plants.

There’s bound to be a study on this topic.

I’ve read several recent news articles describing the negative affects of colonialism and the pineapple trade.

If I remember correctly this had the deepest dive: https://civileats.com/2023/08/23/how-two-centuries-of-extractive-agriculture-helped-set-the-stage-for-the-maui-fires/