John Young (advisor)

John Young
Royal Governor of Hawaiʻi
In office
1802–1812
MonarchKamehameha I
Succeeded byKuakini
Personal details
Bornc. 1742
or (1742-03-17)17 March 1742
Crosby, England
Died17 December 1835(1835-12-17) (aged 93)
Honolulu, Oahu
Resting placeRoyal Mausoleum of Hawaii
Spouse(s)Namokuelua
Mary Kaʻōanāʻeha
ChildrenRobert Young
James Kāneloa Young
Fanny Kekelaokalani
Grace Kamaʻikuʻi Young
John Kalaipaihala Young II
Jane Lahilahi Young
Parent(s)Robert and Grace Young

John Young (c. 1742 – 17 December 1835) was a British subject who became an important military advisor to Kamehameha I during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was left behind by Simon Metcalfe, captain of the American ship Eleanora, and along with a Welshman Isaac Davis, and became a friend and advisor to Kamehameha. Young brought knowledge of naval and land battle strategies to Kamehameha, and became a strong voice on affairs of state for the Hawaiian Kingdom. He played a big role during Hawaii's first contacts with the European powers. He spent the rest of his life in Hawaiʻi. Between 1802 and 1812, John Young ruled as Royal Governor of Hawaii Island while King Kamehameha was away on other islands. He organized the construction of the fort at Honolulu Harbor. The Hawaiians gave him the name ʻOlohana based on Young's typical command "All hands (on deck)".[1]