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Francis Williams Damon was born on December 12, 1852 to the Reverend Dr. Samuel Chenery Damon and Julia Sherman Mills in Honolulu. Damon graduated from Punahou School and Amherst College. He held chair of languages at Punahou until 1876.
In 1877, he was posted to Berlin as secretary and interpreter for Henry A.P. Carter, the Hawaiian Minister to Berlin.
In 1879, he was appointed Charge d'affairs in Berlin.
In 1880, he was appointed to superintend Evangelical association work with Chinese.
In 1881, he returned to Honolulu by way of India and China.
In 1884 on his second trip to China, he met and married Mary Rebecca Harper in Canton, China. The Damons traveled to Honolulu shortly after their marriage.
In 1892, the Damons opened their home as Chinese school and named it Mills School which would later become Mid-Pacific Institute. Damon was trustee of Punahou School for 15 years and was President of the Board of manager for Mid-Pacific Institute.
Damon was the organizer of Fort Street Chinese Church.
He died on June 22, 1915 in Honolulu and is buried at Oahu Cemetery.

On October 8, 1840, Kamehameha III granted the first constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which vested the judicial power of government in a Supreme Court, consisting of the King as chief judge, Premier (kuhina nui), and four individuals appointed by the representative body. Island courts held by their respective governors functioned as circuit courts on their respective island. The island governors were given powers to appoint judges who functioned as district magistrates for the island. Chapter XLVII of the Laws of 1842 mandated that the Supreme judges assemble in Honolulu each June and in Lahaina each December to try cases appealed to them. Selection criteria for foreign and native juries were provided for in the Laws of 1842. The Third Act of Kamehameha III in 1847 titled "An Act to Organize the Judiciary Department of the Hawaiian Islands" created four levels of courts - the Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Law and Equity, four circuit court jurisdictions, and district courts.

On October 8, 1840, Kamehameha III granted the first constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which vested the judicial power of government in a Supreme Court, consisting of the King as chief judge, Premier (kuhina nui), and four individuals appointed by the representative body. Island courts held by their respective governors functioned as circuit courts on their respective island. The island governors were given powers to appoint judges who functioned as district magistrates for the island. Chapter XLVII of the Laws of 1842 mandated that the Supreme judges assemble in Honolulu each June and in Lahaina each December to try cases appealed to them. Selection criteria for foreign and native juries were provided for in the Laws of 1842. The Third Act of Kamehameha III in 1847 titled "An Act to Organize the Judiciary Department of the Hawaiian Islands" created four levels of courts - the Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Law and Equity, four circuit court jurisdictions, and district courts.

By 1864, the First Circuit Court on Oahu was gradually phased out of existence and its judicial powers were transferred to the Supreme Court. In 1865 the circuit court was abolished, but the appellate jurisdictions in chambers remained as a function. Such proceedings were referred to as Intermediary Court, but the person presiding was called the First Circuit Court Judge. Appeals from the District Court of the First Circuit were heard in Intermediary Court. In 1874, the intermediary function of the First Circuit Court judge was transferred to the Supreme Court which now held both original and appellate jurisdiction for the island of Oahu.

In 1892, the functions of the Supreme Court were restricted to those of an appellate court. Its functions as a circuit court were assumed by a reestablished First Circuit Court.

On October 8, 1840, Kamehameha III granted the first constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which vested the judicial power of government in a Supreme Court, consisting of the King as chief judge, Premier (kuhina nui), and four individuals appointed by the representative body. Island courts held by their respective governors functioned as circuit courts on their respective island. The island governors were given powers to appoint judges who functioned as district magistrates for the island. Chapter XLVII of the Laws of 1842 mandated that the Supreme judges assemble in Honolulu each June and in Lahaina each December to try cases appealed to them. Selection criteria for foreign and native juries were provided for in the Laws of 1842. The Third Act of Kamehameha III in 1847 titled "An Act to Organize the Judiciary Department of the Hawaiian Islands" created four levels of courts - the Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Law and Equity, four circuit court jurisdictions, and district courts.

By 1864, the First Circuit Court on Oahu was gradually phased out of existence and its judicial powers were transferred to the Supreme Court. In 1865 the circuit court was abolished, but the appellate jurisdictions in chambers remained as a function. Such proceedings were referred to as Intermediary Court, but the person presiding was called the First Circuit Court Judge. Appeals from the District Court of the First Circuit were heard in Intermediary Court. In 1874, the intermediary function of the First Circuit Court judge was transferred to the Supreme Court which now held both original and appellate jurisdiction for the island of Oahu.

The duties and functions of the Fire Marshal were established by Act 115, SLH 1917. The ex officio Fire Marshal was the Insurance Commissioner. In 1959, the Treasurer, head of the Department of Treasury and Regulation, was assigned the functions of the Insurance Commissioner including the duties of the Fire Marshal (Act 1, 2nd Special SLH). In 1963, the Department of Treasury and Regulation was renamed the Department of Regulatory Agencies (Act 114, SLH), and renamed again the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in 1982 (Act 20, SLH).

Act 241, SLH 1978 abolished the Office of the State Fire Marshal and placed all responsibility for the protection of persons and property against fire loss with the county governments.

On December 12, 1899. the first case of the bubonic plague was confirmed by the Board of Health in the city of Honolulu. Quarantine of a section of Chinatown was first established on December 13th and measures were taken to eliminate unsanitary conditions. Unable to contain the plague. the Board of Health decided to destroy infested buildings through controlled burning. The first fire ordered by the Board on January 1. 1900 successfully destroyed a section of condemned Chinatown buildings. Successive fires were equally successful until the fire set on January 20, 1900 went out of control due to a sudden change of wind. Within a short period of time most of Honolulu's Chinatown, not already burnt in previous fires, was almost completely destroyed. The area affected stretched from River Street, mauka to Kukui Street, makai to Queen Street and in certain sections as far Diamond Head as Nuuanu Street. As a result of this unexpected fire, 5,000 to 6,000 Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiians lost their homes and a temporary relief camp was built in Kalihi to house them.

In February, despite rigid quarantine measures in Honolulu (specifically aimed at vessels and their cargoes), several plague cases broke out in the Chinese quarters at Kahului, Maui. After relocating tenants in these infected areas. this section of Kahului was also burned down on February 12, 1900.

To compensate fire victims, both in Honolulu and Kahului, the Territorial legislature mandated the formation of a Fire Claims Commission through Act 15 of the 1901 Session (approved April 30, 1901). This Act provided "for the ascertainment and payment of all claims which may be made by persons whose property was destroyed by fire in the years A.D. 1899 and 1900 under orders of the Board of Health." It further established a commission consisting of five persons, one of whom shall be an Attorney of the Supreme Court, and all five appointed by the Governor of the Territory. The commission was mandated to hear, investigate and adjudicate all claims for damages and was given the same power as that of the Circuit Court to compel attendance of witnesses, to punish persons guilty of contempt and make all rules necessary for conducting its business. They had the power to appoint a clerk, stenographer, bailiff and interpreters. A claimant was required to submit an itemized statement of the loss sustained, date of loss and nature of the property lost. Only losses resulting from the destruction of or direct damage to property by the fire or removal because of the fire was eligible for compensation. No speculative damage, loss of rent or use of property, or loss of profits through interruption of business was eligible to be claimed.

The Fire Claims Commission, with F.W. Macfarlane as its chairman, began taking evidence in proof of claims in May 1901 and continued in session until June 1902. The number of claims filed was 6,784, totaling $3,175,132.90. After hearings and adjudication, the sum of $1,473,173 was awarded to the claimants. Although the legislature had appropriated $1,500,000 (through Act 15) in 1901 for payment of the claims, it provided no means for obtaining this money. By act of the U.S. Congress, approved January 26, 1903, provision was made for payment from the Federal Treasury of $1,000,000 for reimbursement of claimants and the Territorial treasurer was in addition authorized to issue fire-claim bonds for the payment of the remaining debt.

The commissioners having completed their duties, adjourned on July 25, 2903, after having adopted the following resolution:
"Whereas, the commissioners having completed their duties and being about to finally adjourn the commission, the clerk of the commission is requested to reply in writing to all persons now having communications on file with the commission, filed since the adjournment of the commission taken after the signing of awards, notifying them that no further business would be passed upon by the commission, and referring them to the government for consideration of the questions referred to in their communications."

On October 8, 1840, Kamehameha III granted the first constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which vested the judicial power of government in a Supreme Court, consisting of the King as chief judge, Premier (kuhina nui), and four individuals appointed by the representative body. Island courts held by their respective governors functioned as circuit courts on their respective island. The island governors were given powers to appoint judges who functioned as district magistrates for the island. Chapter XLVII of the Laws of 1842 mandated that the Supreme judges assemble in Honolulu each June and in Lahaina each December to try cases appealed to them. Selection criteria for foreign and native juries were provided for in the Laws of 1842. The Third Act of Kamehameha III in 1847 titled "An Act to Organize the Judiciary Department of the Hawaiian Islands" created four levels of courts - the Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Law and Equity, four circuit court jurisdictions, and district courts.

The Fourth Circuit consisted of Niihau and Kauai with Hanalei designated as the seat of justice. The seat of justice moved to Nawiliwili in 1852. In 1892 it was designated the Fifth Circuit.

Although the Farm Loan Board existed from 1919 to 1960, the records in this collection date only from1941 to 1959, and consist of minutes of board meetings Access to some minutes is restricted because the minutes include personal financial information of loan applicants.

Planned and conducted territorial fairs to promote Hawaii products. Function transferred to the Department of Economic Development in 1960.