[1] His parents were Charles Long, an Italian immigrant from Milan, and Julia Naoho (1859–1916), a Native Hawaiian from the island of Maui and relative of historian Samuel Kamakau.

After his father's death, his mother remarried to John F. Colburn, who became a member of Queen Liliuokalani's cabinet during the final week before the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893.

[3][6][7] That same year he was selected All-Southern by University of Virginia athletics director W. A. Lambeth in Outing, who notes "The position at center is easily filled, because Long, of Georgetown, in snapping the ball, blocking, breaking through, tackling and general play, stands without a near rival.

[12] During the 1903 legislative session, he proposed the so-called "Long Municipal Act", aimed at establishing home-rule and self-government for the citizens of Honolulu.

Historian J. Clay Smith, Jr. noted this and other similar, contemporary legislation contributed to the local movement which eventually led to Hawaii's statehood in 1959.

[19] A memorial published in the records of the Supreme Court of Hawaii gives a description of his character: Long was quiet, affable, sincere and a true friend of the Hawaiian race.