Joseph J. Fern
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Joseph James Fern (August 25, 1872 – February 20, 1920) was the first Mayor of Honolulu from 1909 to 1915 and again from 1917 to 1920. During and after his tenure, Fern became one of the most beloved political figures in the Territory of Hawai'i. He was one of the first members of the Hawai'i Democratic Party.
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Early Years
Fern was born on the Big Island of Hawai'i to James Fern and Kaipua Kaipo Luahoomae. In 1885, Fern worked in the town of Kohala at the Union Mill Plantation. In 1892, he moved to the island of O'ahu to work at the Hawaiian Tramways Company, driving trolleys and streetcars through downtown Honolulu. In 1894, Fern traded jobs to work at the Wilder Steamship Company.
Political Career
In 1907, Fern was influenced to run for a seat on the Honolulu Board of Supervisors. He won the election and served for two years before the creation of the office of Mayor of Honolulu. The office of mayor was created upon the insistence of Washington, DC despite the opposition of the Big Five oligarchy that governed in Hawai'i. On January 4, 1909, Fern won the first election for mayor. In 1915, he lost a reelection bid against Hawai'i Republican Party member John Lane. When Lane tried to run for reelection, Fern challenged his successor again and won.
Family Life
Not unusual in the native Hawaiian community at the time, Fern practiced bigamy and had three wives. He married Julia Natua in 1889 and had two children: Julia, James. In 1894, he married Sheba Kaiheku'i Alapai with whom he had twelve children: Joseph James, Mary K., Nancy K., George, Kaipo, Elizabeth, Marion, Mary, Keo, Santa Clara, Henry C., Esta. In 1910, he married Emma Keliikekukahilikaleleokalahikiolaokalani Smith. They had one child, Victoria Kukahilihiapoaliilani.
Death
Fern died from complications with diabetes in 1920 while still in office. Evidence of his popularity among the people he served, Fern was granted a state funeral and was laid in the throne room of 'Iolani Palace. During the burial rites at the Catholic Cemetery, the United States Army Air Corps presented a fly-over ceremony in a v-formation.