Jean Baptiste Rives

JeanBaptiste Jassont Lafayette Rives, sometimes referred to as John Reeves , was a French adventurer who served in the court of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His first name was sometimes spelled John and last name Reeves by English speakers. Some sources give other middle names.

Jean Baptiste Rives was born in the city of Bordeaux circa 1793. He arrived in the Hawaiian Islands sometime between 1803 and 1810, probably as a cabin boy or steward, given his youth. He must have had an ear for learning new languages, since he spoke at least French and English, and picked up the Hawaiian language quickly.330 About the same age as the sons of King Kamehameha I, he became a close friend of the boys and became useful as an interpreter for the growing number of foreign visitors. The Royal teacher John Papa had him give the princes language lessons. His short stature earned him the Hawaiian language nickname Luahine .

Source: Wikipedia