the first Chinese American and Native Hawaiian to be elected as a lieutenant governor in the United States. Kealoha's term as lieutenant governor was described as "unpleasant" for him (Kim). Governor Quinn was not confident in allowing a Native Hawaiian, even a friend like Kealoha, to make important decisions on his behalf. Kealoha found himself relegated to presiding at ceremonial functions. He also had disagreements with Governor Quinn about the issue of political patronage (Kim). Kealoha gained national attention during the close 1960 United States presidential election, in which John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon both nationally and in Hawaii. Errors in the official tabulation resulted in Nixon being declared the winner of Hawaii's electoral votes by 141 votes, despite inconsistencies in the tabulation sheets. After ordering two audits of the tabulation sheets (but being unable to inspect the actual ballots cast), Kealoha certified the vote total in favor of his fellow Republican Nixon, resulting in the call of national Democrats for a recount. The recount extended past the Constitutionally-required December 19 date for casting electoral votes; as a result, both "unofficial" Democratic and "official" Republican electoral slates met at the Iolani Palace and submitted competing certificates of ascertainment for Hawaii's three electoral votes. The result was finally resolved on the floor of the United States Senate during the electoral college certification process. 1962 election for Governor After growing tensions between Kealoha and Quinn, especially on role of the Lieutenant Governor. Kealoha challenged Quinn in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 1962, characterizing himself as a "native son" and a "local boy" in what was described as "a bitter contest" (Kim). Quinn prevailed, garnering 44,095 votes to 33,277 for Kealoha (Boylan). Quinn, in a quest for reconciliation, appointed Kealoha as the executive officer for the Hawaii exhibit at the New York World's Fair. Later in the general election of that year, Quinn was soundly defeated by his Democratic opponent, John A. Burns. Some analysts have said that the decision by Kealoha to challenge Governor Quinn in the primary cost the Republicans the election (Kim). For many voters the primary was another triumph of the Haole over the Hawaiian, a recurring theme with the Republican Party, causing voters to defect to the Democrats or refused to vote. Comeback attempts After losing in 1962, Kealoha still had political aspirations but failed to win an election again. In 1966 he ran for a seat