The incredible true story of Hawaii’s reluctant “white chief” from 1790

John Young’s Accidental Rise to Hawaiian High Chief

In 1790, a British sailor named John Young got left behind in Hawaii when his ship sailed off without him. What could have been a bad break turned into a wild stroke of luck.

Chief Kamehameha saw Young’s skills and kept him close, first to help build the massive Pu’ukohola Heiau temple. Soon, Young was training warriors to use guns and cannons.

The Hawaiians called him ‘Olohana as he fought in key battles and later became Royal Governor. Young even married into royal lines, built Hawaii’s first Western-style house, and was laid to rest as a high chief.

Today, you can walk among the ruins of his homestead at Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site.

Soon, Young was training warriors to use guns and cannons.

The Hawaiians called him ‘Olohana as he fought in key battles and later became Royal Governor. Young even married into royal lines, built Hawaii’s first Western-style house, and was laid to rest as a high chief.

Today, you can walk among the ruins of his homestead at Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site.

British Sailor Steps Foot in Hawaii for the First Time

John Young landed in Hawaii on the American fur trading ship Eleanora in February 1790.

The 46-year-old British boatswain from Liverpool joined Captain Simon Metcalfe’s crew trading furs between the Pacific Northwest and China.

Metcalfe planned to meet his son Thomas, who captained their other ship, the Fair American. The Eleanora stopped at Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii Island.

Captain’s Cruel Punishment Sparks a Chain of Revenge

While anchored near Kohala, Captain Metcalfe invited Chief Kame’eiamoku aboard the Eleanora. For some reason, Metcalfe had the Hawaiian chief whipped on the ship’s deck.

This harsh treatment deeply offended the chief and broke Hawaiian customs of respect. Feeling humiliated and angry, Kame’eiamoku left the ship promising to get revenge on the next foreign vessel he saw.

His chance for payback came very soon.

One Survivor Remains After Bloody Ship Attack

The schooner Fair American, with Thomas Metcalfe in charge, reached Kawaihae on March 16, 1790. Chief Kame’eiamoku, still angry about his beating, sent warriors to attack the small ship with only five crew members.

During the brutal fight, four sailors died, including Captain Thomas Metcalfe. Isaac Davis, a Welsh sailor, was the only survivor.

The chief’s warriors took the Fair American along with its weapons and supplies.

Young Volunteers for a Mission That Changes His Life

John Young went ashore to check on the missing Fair American.

King Kamehameha quickly grabbed Young to stop him from telling Captain Metcalfe about the attack on his son’s ship.

The king banned anyone from helping Young return to his vessel.

Captain Metcalfe fired his guns as signals, trying to guide Young back to the ship, but the king’s orders made this impossible.

The Ship Sails Away, Leaving Young Stranded Forever

After waiting two days without seeing Young, Captain Metcalfe gave up and left Hawaii. He never found out what happened to his son or the Fair American.

Young found himself stuck on Hawaii Island at age 46, his sailing career suddenly over.

Kamehameha took both Young and Davis to Kawaihae, seeing value in these foreigners who knew about European weapons and fighting styles.

From Sailor to Temple Builder and Military Trainer

Kamehameha put Young to work building the huge Pu’ukohola Heiau temple near Kawaihae.

Young and Davis started training Hawaiian warriors to use muskets and cannons taken from the Fair American.

The king knew these skills could help him unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian warriors nicknamed Young “Olohana” after hearing him yell “All hands on deck” while leading work teams.

His Cannon Skills Help Win Critical Battles

Young ran the artillery during Kamehameha’s battles across the islands. In 1795, he fired the cannon that killed rival chief Ka’iana during the key Battle of Nu’uanu on Oahu.

Young placed captured ship cannons at key spots throughout the islands, making forts that secured Kamehameha’s new lands.

His knowledge of European fighting methods helped Kamehameha win battles and eventually unite the Hawaiian Islands.

The King Rewards His Foreign Advisor with Power

Around 1802, Kamehameha named Young as Royal Governor of Hawaii Island, showing great trust in his foreign advisor.

Young collected taxes and ran island business when the king traveled elsewhere.

He greeted foreign visitors as main spokesman and translator, helping Kamehameha deal with the growing number of European and American ships visiting Hawaiian waters.

Young also built the fort at Honolulu Harbor and managed other big building projects.

A White House Stands Out Among Traditional Hawaiian Homes

Young built Hawaii’s first European-style house near Pu’ukohola Heiau using stone building methods.

He made white plaster from crushed coral mixed with poi and hair to cover the walls, making it look very different from normal Hawaiian homes.

Ships sailing to Kawaihae Bay used the bright white house as a guide for finding their way. Young hosted ship captains and Hawaiian royalty in his unique home.

Marriage Connects the Sailor to Hawaiian Royalty

Young first married chiefess Namokuelua in 1795, which gave him status among Hawaiian nobles.

Around 1805, he took a second wife, Kamehameha’s niece Ka’ōana’eha, strengthening his position in Hawaiian royal circles.

His marriages produced six children who became important figures in Hawaiian society.

Most notably, Young’s granddaughter Emma later became Queen of Hawaii by marrying Kamehameha IV, linking his British family to Hawaiian royalty.

The Final Resting Place Honors His Remarkable Journey

Young died at Rooke House in Honolulu on December 17, 1835, at the impressive age of 93.

Workers first buried him on the grounds of Iolani Palace, then moved his remains to the Royal Mausoleum in 1866.

His grave marker reads “The friend and companion-in-war of Kamehameha,” summarizing his extraordinary transformation.

The stranded sailor spent 46 years in Hawaii, rising from captive foreigner to trusted advisor and high chief in a kingdom he helped create.

Visiting Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawaii

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road offers free admission to explore where John Young helped Kamehameha build this sacred temple.

The visitor center opens daily 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM with exhibits about Young’s rise from stranded British sailor to Hawaiian high chief.

Walk the half-mile paved trail to see the heiau, Young’s homestead site, and royal courtyard. Download the free smartphone audio tour on-site.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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