He established several churches and schools, and was Kahu (shepherd) of Kawaiahaʻo Church after the departure of Hiram Bingham I. Kamehameha III appointed him Minister of Public Instruction, and his accomplishments established an educational system that earned him the nickname "The father of American education in Hawaii".
Ia mendirikan beberapa gereja dan sekolah, dan menjadi Kahu (gembala) Gereja Kawaiahaʻo setelah kepergian Hiram Bingham I. Kamehameha III mengangkatnya menjadi Menteri Pengarahan Masyarakat, dan pelantikannya mendatangkan sebuah sistem pendidikan yang membuatnya dijuluki "bapak pendidikan Amerika di Hawaii".