John A. Burns is often called the "Father of the State of Hawai'i" having overseen its modern development and setting precedents honored today.

John Anthony Burns (March 30, 1909–April 5, 1975) served as the second Governor of the state of Hawaii from 1962 to 1974. Born in Fort Assinneboine, Montana, Burns was a resident of Hawaii since 1913.

Burns is often described as the father of the modern Hawai'i Democratic Party. From 1948 he held various leadership positions in the territorial Democratic Party, culminating in being chair of the territorial party in 1952. He is credited with building a coalition with organized labor and Japanese-Americans to strengthen the Democratic Party.

In 1956 he was elected Delegate from Hawaii. As Delegate he played a key role in lobbying for Hawaii statehood, a goal that was achieved on March 12, 1959 when the statehood bill was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He sought to become the first Governor of the newly formed State of Hawaii, but lost the election to then-Territorial Governor William F. Quinn.

Three years later in 1962, Burns won the election to become Governor. He was re-elected in 1966 and 1970. He became ill in October 1973 and then-Lt. Gov. George R. Ariyoshi became Acting Governor.

The John A. Burns School of Medicine, an institution of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, is named for him. In a controversial move by Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, the newly completed Interstate H-3 was named in Burns' honor.