Sketch of J. Piikoi's Life, written by himself

Sketch of J. Piikoi's Life, written by himself.

About twenty days before his death, the late Hon. J. Piikoi dictated the following sketch of his life, which we translate from the Hae Hawaii.

"I was born in the month of Ikuwa (January) 1804, at Waimea, Kauai. I continued to live there until Liholiho came to Kauai, on the 22nd of July 1822. There was a great feasting on the arrival of Liholiho and the chiefs in his company, on board the vessel called the "Okikowali." The feasting took place in a house known as "Puilihale." After eating, the King called to Kaumualii, - "Oh, Kaumualii, there is plenty of poi and fish at Kauai - one thing only is lacking—tobacco" The chief answered - "The tobacco also is ready." He then called me, saying Piikoi, "go and do as I bid you." I consented, and a pipe having been lighted, was given to me, together with a tobacco box and a pipe-lighter, and I was directed to take them to Liholiho. The chief called out, - "Oh, the Heavens, here is the tobacco, and a servant with it." Then it was that I became a pipe-lighter; that was the first commencement of my going with Liholiho to live. My relations and friends made a great lamentation, but some said, "We have no business to wail, for he is given entirely to the King." I then went round the island of Kauai with the King and afterwards came to Oahu with him. At Waianae, I ran away in order to go with Kaumualii at Waialea. He ordered me to go back, saying that I must look to the King for my subsistence hereafter, nor desert him on any account. I accordingly returned, and continued to live with Liholiho until he went to England, and never wanted for anything to eat, drink or wear.

After the King went to England I lived with Kahalaia, and on his appointment as governor of Kauai, I accompanied him thither. After the rebellion of Humehume in 1824, we returned to Oahu, and on the death of Kahalaia, in 1826, the late King sent for me, saying "You belonged to Liholiho; why do you not come to live with me?" I said "I have come." The late King was considerate in regard to his servants. Sever years later, the King gave me the charge of lands on Oahu. This duty I executed both to the satisfaction of the King and somewhat to my own profit. Subsequently, when Haalilio went to England, I received his duties to perform. About this time I was made a Member of the House of Nobles, and soon after, a Member of the King's Privy Council. I also received from the King a very important duty- that of superintending the division of lands between the King and the chiefs at Haliimaile. When I undertook this duty, some of the chiefs said that they did not wish for me to divide the lands for them. I made reply to them that if they would not take my division, they must lose all their lands, from Hawaii to Kauai. These were strong words, but I spoke confidently, well knowing that I had ample authority from the King. I continued to live pleasantly and happily under the late King until he left us on the 15 December, 1854.

Under His present Majesty, Kamehameha IV, who God has graciously placed over us, I have enjoyed all my former rights of nobility, and my family and myself have enjoyed the fullest protection. May God preserve the King, and grant him a long and prosperous reign. I have written the foregoing in my great weakness, for the purpose of showing my countrymen how I rose to my present rank and position, under the protection of the King, from the humble station of a pipe-lighter.

Love to all, J. Piikoi"

Honolulu, April 7, 1859.