August 3, 1800: Birth of John Papa ʻĪʻī

Portrait of John Papa ʻĪʻī, circa 1851, courtesy Bishop Museum.

As eloquently stated in Marie Alohalani Brown’s Facing the Spears of Change: The Life and Legacy of John Papa ʻĪʻī, the esteemed ʻĪʻī was born “in an age when highborn aliʻi were considered divine, when intrepid warriors performed feats that bordered on the superhuman, and when genealogy largely determined a Hawaiian’s lot in life.” Ioane Kaneiakama Papa ʻĪʻī estimated his birth as August 3, 1800. He first served in the household of Kamehameha I as an attendant in 1810. He later went on to become a prominent member of the Privy Council and the House of Nobles. He also served as superintendent of schools on Oʻahu, and treasurer for the Kingdom. On January 15, 1848, ʻĪʻī was named the second associate justice of the Hawaiʻi Superior Court. He then served as second associate justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court from December 6, 1852 – February 16, 1864.

The image below comes from the State Archives card catalogue providing particular dates of interest relating to ʻĪʻī:

State Archives card catalogue entry for “II, JOHN”