 Knudsen was appointed land administrator by King Kamehameha for an area covering 400 km2, and was given the title "konohiki" as well as a position as a nobility under the king.Knudsen, who spoke fluent Hawaiian, later became an elected representative and an influential politician on the island.Knudsen lends his name to the Knudsen Gap, a narrow pass between Hã’upu Ridge and the Kahili Ridge.