Walter Francis Frear
(1863-1948)
After arriving in Hawai`i in
1870 at age seven, Frear attended Oahu College (Punahou School). Having received degrees from Yale and Yale Law School, he returned to Hawai`i permanently and began a law practice. Frear held judgeships under both the monarchy and the subsequent governments, was appointed to the First Circuit Court by Queen Lili`uokalani in
1893, and then to the Supreme Court of the Provisional Government by President Dole. Frear was reappointed by Dole to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Hawai`i, a position he held until
1907.
Frear helped clarify the legal status of the Islands, working on a commission appointed by President McKinley to recommend legislation concerning Hawai`i. Through this commission, Frear pushed for Territorial status and was instrumental in drafting the Organic Act which established Hawai`i as a United States territory.
As Chairman of the Code Commission, from
1903 to
1905 Frear oversaw the compilation, revision and annotation of the complete Laws of Hawai`i. During
1923-
1925, another commission updated the Laws with Frear's participation.
President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Frear territorial governor in
1907. He served until
1913 after which he resumed his private law practice. From
1925 to
1934 he was president of Bishop Trust Company, continuing as vice president and director until his death in
1948.
