Leleiohoku II

Leleiohoku II
Crown Prince of the Hawaiian Islands
Born	(1854-01-10)January 10, 1854 Honolulu, Oʻahu,
Died	Honolulu, Oʻahu,
Burial	April 25, 1877 Mauna ʻAla Royal Mausoleum
Full name William Pitt Leleiohoku II Kalahoʻolewa
House	Kalākaua
Father	Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea
Mother	Analea Keohokālole Ruth Keʻelikōlani (hānai)
Signature

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born William Pitt Kalahoʻolewa (1854–1877), was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and member of the reigning House of Kalākaua. He is remembered for composing the Hawaiian War Chant.

Life

Leleiohoku in his teens.

He was initially named Kalahoʻolewa meaning "the day of the funeral" in Hawaiian because his birth coincided with the funeral of King Kamehameha III. He was the youngest brother of James Kaliokalani, David Kalākaua, Liliʻuokalani, Anna Kaiulani, Kaʻiminaʻauao, and Miriam K. Likelike. Shortly after his birth he became the hānai (adopted son) of Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani who named him after her late husband High Chief William Pitt Leleiohoku. Leleiohoku means "Fled in the time of Hoku" in Hawaiian and commemorates the day Kamehameha I died on the Hawaiian calendar. Princess Ruth also named Leleiohoku II heir to her vast holding of most of the Kamehameha lands but he predeceased her. He was educated at the present day ʻIolani School, which was called the Saint Alban's College at the time. An accomplished musician, he founded several royal choral societies that survive today including the Kawaihaʻo Church Singing Club. He was named the Crown Prince by his brother Kalākaua in 1874, with the consent of the House of Nobles and granted the title of Prince and style of "His Royal Highness". He became a member of the Privy Council and House of Nobles and ruled as Prince-regent when Kalākaua visited the United States.

Death

On April 10, 1877 at the age of 23, Prince Leleiohoku died of rheumatic fever. Because Leleiohoku was unmarried and had no children, his brother King Kalākaua named their sister Liliʻuokalani Crown Princess. It was said that Keʻelikōlani had wished that Kalākaua had chosen her instead of Liliʻuokalani, but making her heir would make Bernice Pauahi Bishop next in line to the throne. He is buried in the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii.

Compositions

Main article: List of compositions and works by Leleiohoku

He composed many songs (many based on folk tunes), and was included in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

Honours

National Honours

• Knight Grand Cross of the Most Noble Order of Kamehameha I.
• 50px Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Kalākaua I.

Ancestry

Family of Leleiohoku II

16. High Chief Kameʻeiamoku               8. High Chief Kepoʻokalani                       17. High Chiefess Kamakaʻeheikuli               4. High Chief Kamanawa II                             18. High Chief Kalaninuiamamao of Kaʻū               9. High Chiefess Alapaʻiwahine                       19. High Chiefess Kaolanialiʻi               2. High Chief Caesar Kapaʻakea                                   20. High Chief Kaʻihelemoana               10. High Chief Kanepawale                       21. High Chiefess Kaʻopa               5. High Chiefess Kamokuiki                             22. High Chief Kaʻehunuiamamaliʻi               11. High Chiefess Uaua                       23. High Chiefess Koʻi               1. William Pitt Leleiohoku II                                         24. High Chief Kameʻeiamoku (= 16)               12. High Chief Kepoʻokalani (= 8)                       25. High Chiefess Kamakaʻeheikuli (= 17)               6. High Chief ʻAikanaka                             26. High Chief Keaweaheulu of Waiʻanae               13. High Chiefess Keohohiwa                       27. High Chiefess ʻUlulani of Hilo               3. High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole                                   28. High Chief Makakaualiʻi               14. High Chief Kahoalani Eia                       29. High Chiefess Kapalaoa               7. High Chiefess Kamaʻeokalani                             30. High Chief Ahaula               15. High Chiefess Keakaula                       31. High Chiefess Kawehe