What we have on James J. Fern is either he came from the mainland, but most people have him coming from England. A record at familysearch.org states that he was married to Kaipua Kaipo Luahoomae in 1843, most likely in Maui, since that's were his 1st nine children were born. Kaipo was born 1826, Keokea, Maui and was a descendant of chiefs who had served with Kamehameha the great, during his campaign to unite the islands. Their children were:
Caroline Kamakee (1952-1924)
Mary Ann (1853-1918)
Kealalaina (1854- )
Elizabeth Keohokaleleonalani (1857-1922)
Henry Lipine (1859-1928)
James Joseph Keliikoliola (1860-1920)
John James (1861-1912)
Kamana (1867- )
George James (1871-1928)
Joseph James (1872-1920)
All the children married, except Kealalaina, I have no record for her.
Around 1860/61 the family moved to Kohala on the Big Island, John James Lipine Moeone Fern being the 1st child being born there. According to my records, Kaipo had her 1st child, William at age 18 and her last child, Isabella at age 52! I've always suspected that the youngest or maybe even the 3 youngest children are actually her grandchildren that she raised, which was not uncommon at all in Hawaiian families.
Where in England was he born? Why did he come to Hawaii? What did he do on Maui? and why did the family relocate to Kohala? These are the questions I have on the Fern family.