Hawaii Territorial Governor. During his tenure in the Hawaiian State Senate, Judd made several fact-finding tours to Molakai to investigate the conditions of the Hansen's Disease-afflicted residents of Kalaupapa. In 1929, he was appointed by President Herbert Hoover to be the 7th governor of the Territory of Hawaii. He served until 1934. During his term, he worked to improve parks, playgrounds, and the Natatorium War Memorial. He also overhawled the system of governance of the territory. A source of controversy during his tenure involved his commutation of the sentence of a well-connected socialite, Grace H. Fortescue, for the murder of a local prizefighter, Joseph Kahahawai. Fortescue was the mother of Thalia Massie, who had brought charges that Kahahawai was one of a group of men who had raped her. The case, known as the Massie Affair, had deep implications of racism and special priviledge. Mrs. Fortescue was charged with orchestrating the murder of the fighter. Her sentence by jury of ten years in prison was commuted by Judd to one hour in his chambers in the Iolani Palace. In 1947, Judd became the resident suiperintendent of Kalaupapa. He was appointed temporary Territorial Governor of American Samoa by President Eisenhower for five months in 1953.
Hawaii Territorial Governor. During his tenure in the Hawaiian State Senate, Judd made several fact-finding tours to Molakai to investigate the conditions of the Hansen's Disease-afflicted residents of Kalaupapa. In 1929, he was appointed by President Herbert Hoover to be the 7th governor of the Territory of Hawaii. He served until 1934. During his term, he worked to improve parks, playgrounds, and the Natatorium War Memorial. He also overhawled the system of governance of the territory. A source of controversy during his tenure involved his commutation of the sentence of a well-connected socialite, Grace H. Fortescue, for the murder of a local prizefighter, Joseph Kahahawai. Fortescue was the mother of Thalia Massie, who had brought charges that Kahahawai was one of a group of men who had raped her. The case, known as the Massie Affair, had deep implications of racism and special priviledge. Mrs. Fortescue was charged with orchestrating the murder of the fighter. Her sentence by jury of ten years in prison was commuted by Judd to one hour in his chambers in the Iolani Palace. In 1947, Judd became the resident suiperintendent of Kalaupapa. He was appointed temporary Territorial Governor of American Samoa by President Eisenhower for five months in 1953.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
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