Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Ii, John  1802 - May 1870
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J. Orr orr@hawaii.com September 9, 2009, 3:02 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders. Published by Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd., Territory of Hawaii, 1925
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

JOHN II, Jurist and Legislator. In the early history of modern Hawaii, dating 
back to the arrival of the first missionaries in 1820 with their message of 
Christianity and education, no name stands out with clearer distinction than 
that of John Ii, full-blooded Hawaii and descendant of high chiefs, a jurist, 
legislator, preacher, constructive citizen and one of the greatest leaders and 
benefactors of his race.
  Judge Ii had a long and notable career in government service under Kings 
Kamehameha III, IV, and V. From the time he was a playmate and companion of 
young Prince Liholiho I, who later became King Kamehameha II, until his death, 
his advice was always sought in matters of importance to the monarchy. He was 
regarded by the native rulers as the wisest of counselors, and shared in the 
determination of all governmental affairs.
  John Ii was born about 1802 at Waipio, in the Ewa district, Island of Oahu. 
His father was the High Chief Papa, who had been chosen by King Kamehameha I 
to be the guardian of the young Prince Liholiho, and his mother was Wananoa, 
high chiefess and descendant of the ruling chiefs of Kona. When John Ii was 
eight years old he was brought to Honolulu, and was one of several boys 
selected by Kamehameha the Great to be playmates of the youthful heir to the 
throne, so that thus early in life he came into intimate association with 
royalty.
  Shortly after the arrival of the first missionaries in 1820, he was sent by 
Liholiho with other pupils to learn the English language at a school directed 
by Rev. Hiram Bingham. This school he attended until education of the natives 
was begun in their own tongue, when he became a teacher of his countrymen and 
a valuable assistant to Mr. Bingham in translating English texts into Hawaiian.
  John Ii, in later life, lived in a cottage where the Judiciary Building now 
stands, a home known far and wide as “Mililani,” which means exalted or lifted 
heavenward. Hospitality was a marked feature of his character, and many 
splendid affairs of the period were given in the Ii home. He was welcome at 
the palace at any time, and spent a great share of his time with the royal 
family.
  So close was he to the royal house that in 1839, upon the arrival of Captain 
La Place in the frigate “Artemise,” Judge Ii was one of the hostages sent 
aboard to comply with the French demands, and it has been related in history 
that “while there, having with him his Bible and hymn book, he excited great 
admiration by his gentlemanly conduct and Christian deportment.”
  With Dr. G. P. Judd and T. Haalilio, Judge Ii in May, 1842, was appointed a 
member of the treasury board under Kamehameha III, and he was a member of the 
House of Nobles in the sessions from 1841 to 1854. He was also a member of the 
Privy Council in 1845. His judicial service began with his appointment as 
associate justice of the Superior Court on January 15, 1846, which office he 
held until the court was abolished by the constitution of 1852. He was then 
appointed second associate justice of the Supreme Court on June 14, 1852, and 
served in that capacity until he resigned, Feb. 16, 1864.
  Judge Ii was a member of the House of Representatives during the session of 
1855, and a member of the House of Nobles in the drafting of the constitution 
of 1852, the King being represented by Dr. Judd and the House of 
Representatives by Judge William Lee.
  Judge Ii was converted to Christianity shortly after the missionaries 
arrived, and made the missionary cause his own. Late in life he retired to his 
extensive land holdings at Ewa and for three years served his people as a 
minister of the gospel.
  He was married several times, and was survived by one daughter, Mrs. Irene 
Haalou Kahalelaukoa Brown-Holloway who, until her widely mourned death in 
1922, carried on the tradition of service to the Hawaiian race that was 
established by her famous father. George Ii and Francis H. Ii Brown, young 
Honolulu capitalists, are sons of Mrs. Brown-Halloway and grandsons of Judge 
Ii.
  In April, 1870, Judge Ii was taken ill with a fever and died the following 
month, his funeral being held from Kawaiahao Church, which he had helped 
establish.

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