Name/Title
James I Dowsett (Kimo Pelekane)Description
James Isaac Dowsett aka Kimo Pelekane
1829-1898
James I. Dowsett was the first white/haole child, not of missionary parentage, born in Hawaii.
The Hawaiians called him “Kimo Pelekane” (Jim the Englishman.)
He was born in Honolulu, December 15, 1829, to Samuel James Dowsett (born in Rochester, Kent, England 1794 – lost at sea in 1834)and Mary Bishop Dowsett (Rochester, Kent, England; 1808 – 1860).
A ship captain, Samuel did shipping business in Australia and was into whaling.
Samuel first arrived in Hawaii in 1822 when he was first officer of the “Mermaid,”
accompanying the “Prince Regent”, a gift-ship from King George IV of England to King Kamehameha I,
promised to the King by George Vancouver.
Samuel returned with his wife on July 17, 1828, arriving on the brig Wellington;
they set up their home in Hawaii at that time.
Samuel and Mary had 4 children, James, Samuel Henry, Elizabeth Jane and Deborah Melville.
James was less than five years old when in 1834 his father sailed away on a pearl fishing expedition
and was lost at sea.
During his youth, Dowsett was a playmate of Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V and future King Lunalilo.
In his school days Dowsett was also an associated with Romualdo Pacheco (who later became Governor California; Pacheco was sent to Hawaii from California to be educated in the islands, a custom followed extensively in early days by parents who sought the best schools for their children.)
Dowsett was hardly more than twelve when he was hired by the Hudson’s Bay Co., but continued his schooling on the side.
In the early-1860s he entered the whaling business, owning a fleet of whaling ships.
“He did not care for public office. Had he yearned for political preferment, any office was at his disposal for many years.
He was appointed a Noble of the Kingdom by Kamehameha III and was friend and confident of Kamehameha IV and V.”
“His advice was often sought by the monarchs and was given as one entirely disinterested and be held the trust of those in the highest positions as well as the implicit confidence of the common people.
He was a great favorite with the native Hawaiians and spoke their language beautifully.”
(Hawaiian Gazette, June 17, 1898)
Besides his whaling activities, Mr. Dowsett engaged in the lumber business and owned a fleet of schooners and small steamers operating between the islands.
Dowsett also had extensive ranching interests;properties now occupied by Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Wheeler Army Airfield and Lualualei were once pastures for Dowsett’s cattle and horses. He also once owned ʻUlupalakua Ranch.
He was engaged in ranching as early as 1850, and was the first rancher to import Aberdeen Angus stock to Hawaii.
Puʻuloa Salt Works (property of Dowsett) “are at the west side of the entrance to Pearl River (Pearl Harbor), and the windmill is a prominent object in the landscape as we enter. It is also one of the guides in steeling vessels inward.
On the eastern side and opposite to the Puʻuloa buildings, is the fishery, where are a number of buildings inhabited by Chinamen.” (Daily Bulletin, January 6, 1889)
Dowsett died on June 14, 1898; “news of the death of Mr. Dowsett had been sent all over the Island
and the Hawaiians in large numbers joined the throng of haoles calling to pay respects and offer consolation.”
“The older Hawaiians could not restrain themselves at all and gave vent to floods of tears and to strange wailings.
They were overpowered and overcome by the thought that no more would they have the friendly greeting,
the certain and reliable advice or the material assistance of the one who had been their reliance
at all times and upon all occasions for so many years.”
(Hawaiian Gazette, June 17, 1898)Created By
hawaiiancovers@gmail.comCreate Date
July 6, 2024Update Date
July 6, 2024
