Rosenberg received royal appointments to several positions: kahuna-kilokilo (royal soothsayer), customs appraiser, and guard.

However, customs appraiser F. J. H. Kracke eventually confirmed the initial classification of items and said that they were subject to duty.

In late January, the king appointed Rosenberg as a customs appraiser in Honolulu, although the appointment was controversial; by mid-February he was fired by the head of customs.