Lucius Eugene Pinkham

(1850-1922)

Born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, Lucius Pinkham got his early education in the Boston public schools. It wasn’t until 1892 that he arrived in Hawai`i, brought by OR&L Company to build a coal handling plant in the Islands. With that job complete, he went back to the mainland but returned to Hawai`i as a cashier for Pacific Hardware Company. He later completed artesian well-boring projects for several plantations including `Ewa, Waialua, and McBryde Plantation on Kaua`i.

In 1904, Pinkham was appointed president of the Board of Health, a post he filled until 1908. This was followed in 1913 by his nomination for governor. President Wilson backed his nominee through a tough fight in the U.S. Senate to win confirmation. During his years in office, Pinkham developed Hawaii's National Guard, expanding it to 6,000 men. He also oversaw the Waikiki reclamation project and was responsible for a Workmen's Compensation Act and Teachers Pension Bill. Pinkham's term ended in 1918; he died in 1922.

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