Generous in Death as in Life
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, printed on July 27, 1878.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
John Papa ʻĪʻī is known for his generosity—while alive and beyond. See the following article published eight years after his death.
Image: “He Hana Pono,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, July 27, 1878, p. 2.
A Righteous Deed.—This past week we saw the check from the Hon. A. F. Judd, Executor of the late Joane ʻĪʻī, for a portion of a tenth of the estate of ʻĪʻī to be given to some of our churches. In the last will and testament of Joane ʻĪʻī, he ordered that a tenth of all of the profits from his estate go to the kingdom of the Lord, and that is what the Executor is doing. As per that order, portioned out this year was $297 amongst several of our religious excercises. This deed by Joane ʻĪʻī deserves to be greatly praised, and followed by other wealthy people.
ʻĪʻī specified in his last will and testament:
Image: Excerpt from Joane ʻĪʻī’s [John Papa ʻĪʻī’s] last will and testament found in the Judd Family Papers: MS Group 70, Box 53, Folder 4.4, p 3. Bishop Museum Archives.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
And my executors shall place my daughter in an appropriate institution where she will be educated in the two languages and where she will be guided on the path of righteousness. And the first fruits gained from the lands of my daughter, that being the money profitted, ten cents for each dollar shall be dedicated to the kingdom of God, just as I do. This is to be carried out by my executors.
Furthermore, should my daughter die, and she gave birth to children, then the estate shall be inherited by her children. And should she die without children, then it will be inherited by her own mother [Maraea ʻĪʻī]. And should she have died, then it will be inherited by my younger brother, J. Komoikehuehu.
Ioane ʻĪʻī, his X mark
Image: Awaiaulu’s latest publication: Nā Hunahuna ʻIke Hawaiʻi: Hawaiian Insights, by John Papa ʻĪʻī, translated by Puakea Nogelmeier.
Hear more about this man at the book launch and signing event for Awaiaulu’s Nā Hunahuna ‘Ike Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Insights by John Papa ‘Ī‘ī, on July 29, 2026. Meet us at Bishop Museum from 6–9 p.m. to get your book signed and meet our Nūpepa Team to hear more about Hawaiian language newspapers and the He Aupuni Palapala project.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
