10 Facts About James Kealoha

James Kealoha was born on April 29,1908, in Pahoa on Hawaii island to Lee Chau and Alice Makanui Kealoha.

James Kealoha's father was a Cantonese immigrant who had come to Hawaii as a plantation laborer.

James Kealoha graduated from Hilo High School in 1926 and started working as a clerk for Kwong See Wo, a grocery store in Hilo.

In 1934, James Kealoha was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives, serving as speaker pro tem.

James Kealoha was elected for a second term two years later.

In 1940 James Kealoha was elected to the Hawaii County Board of Supervisors, where he won re-election for three successive terms.

James Kealoha was the first Chinese American and Native Hawaiian to be elected as a lieutenant governor in the United States.

Governor Quinn was not confident in allowing a Native Hawaiian, even a friend like James Kealoha, to make important decisions on his behalf.

James Kealoha had disagreements with Governor Quinn about the issue of political patronage.

James Kealoha died on August 24,1983, in Honolulu with interment at Homelani Cemetery in Hilo.