His Royal Highness Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born Kalahoʻolewa, was a significant figure in the Hawaiian Kingdom, known for his royal lineage, political roles, and profound musical contributions. He was born on January 10, 1855, in Honolulu, Oʻahu, to Analea Keohokālole and Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea [3]. His birth name, Kalahoʻolewa, meaning "the day of the funeral," was given in accordance with Hawaiian custom, as he was born on the same day as the funeral of King Kamehameha III [3] [4]. This naming tradition highlights the deep cultural connection to significant events within the aliʻi (nobility) class. His parents were influential political advisors to Kamehameha III and Kamehameha IV, and their lineage traced back to the aliʻi nui (supreme monarch) Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, and the royal counselors of Kamehameha I, Keaweaheulu and Kameʻeiamoku [5] [6]. It is important to clarify that Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II was not the son of Kamehameha I, as initially suggested in the prompt, but rather a member of the House of Kalākaua, a later reigning dynasty. His biological siblings included James Kaliokalani, David Kalākaua, Liliʻuokalani, Anna Kaʻiulani, Kaʻiminaʻauao, and Miriam Likelike [7].

Following the Hawaiian custom of hānai, an informal adoption practice among extended families, Leleiohoku was hānai to Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani shortly after his birth [8]. Keʻelikōlōlani, a powerful and wealthy aliʻi, renamed him after her deceased first husband, High Chief William Pitt Leleiohoku I, who was the son of Prime Minister Kalanimoku [9] [10]. The English name "William Pitt" was originally adopted by Kalanimoku in honor of the British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger [11]. The Hawaiian name Leleiohoku, meaning "Fled in the time of Hoku," commemorates the day Kamehameha I died on the Hawaiian calendar in 1819 [12] [3]. In 1862, Keʻelikōlani legally adopted Leleiohoku, making him the heir to her vast landholdings, which included a significant portion of the Kamehameha lands [14] [15] [16] [17]. This legal adoption was a pivotal moment, solidifying his status and future influence within the kingdom. His sister, Liliʻuokalani, recounted the circumstances of this adoption in her memoir, *Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen*, detailing how King Kamehameha V insisted on the legal adoption to secure Leleiohoku's position as heir to Keʻelikōlani's estates [16].

Leleiohoku received his education at St. Alban's College in Honolulu, a precursor to the modern ʻIolani School [21] [22]. After completing his studies in 1872, he began his career as a clerk in the Foreign Office, where he gained experience in governmental affairs [18] [19]. His political career advanced significantly after the death of King Lunalilo in 1874. His brother, David Kalākaua, was elected king, and Leleiohoku was declared heir apparent to the throne on February 14, 1874, as Kalākaua and his wife Kapiʻolani were childless [33] [34]. He was granted the title of Prince and the style of "His Royal Highness." During Kalākaua's historic trip to the United States to negotiate the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875, Leleiohoku served as Regent of the Kingdom of Hawaii from November 17, 1874, to February 15, 1875 [42] [43]. He also held positions as a Privy Councilor and a member of the House of Nobles in the Legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii [37] [38] [39].

Beyond his political duties, Prince Leleiohoku II was an exceptionally talented musician and composer. He founded several royal choral societies, including the Kawaihau Glee Club [44] [45]. His musical group often competed with those organized by his sisters, Liliʻuokalani and Likelike, with Liliʻuokalani herself acknowledging the superior artistry of Leleiohoku's club [45]. He was influenced by Henri Berger, the bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and incorporated elements of folk tunes from visiting merchants and sailors into his compositions [45]. His most famous composition, "Kāua I Ka Huahuaʻi," was later adapted into the widely recognized American song "Hawaiian War Chant" [84]. Leleiohoku and his siblings are collectively honored by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as Na Lani ʻEhā (The Heavenly Four), recognizing their significant patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history [76] [77].

Tragically, Prince Leleiohoku II died young at the age of 22 on April 9, 1877, at ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, Oʻahu, due to rheumatic fever [65] [74]. His untimely death led to the proclamation of his sister, Liliʻuokalani, as the next heir to the throne [75]. He was buried on April 25, 1877, at the Mauna ʻAla Royal Mausoleum [67] [68]. His legacy endures through his musical compositions and his recognition as one of the "Heavenly Four." He is remembered as a promising young prince who, despite his short life, made lasting contributions to Hawaiian culture and governance. His role as heir apparent and regent during a critical period of the Hawaiian Kingdom underscores his historical significance, particularly in the context of Hawaiian sovereignty and the challenges faced by the monarchy in the late 19th century. His life, though brief, exemplified the blend of traditional Hawaiian values and emerging Western influences that characterized the era.