Black Mug, 15oz (Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II)

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born Kalahoʻolewa on January 10, 1855, was a prince of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a member of the reigning House of Kalākaua. His life was intertwined with both royalty and music.

Here are some key points about Leleiohoku II:

Adoption and Education:  At birth, Leleiohoku was informally adopted (hānai) by Ruth Keʻelikōlani, a prominent Hawaiian chiefess.  In 1862, Ruth legally adopted him as the heir to her extensive land holdings.
He received his education at St. Alban’s College (a precursor to the present-day ʻIolani School).

Royal Roles:  Leleiohoku served as an officer on King Lunalilo’s personal military staff.  After Lunalilo’s death, his brother Kalākaua became king, and Leleiohoku was declared heir apparent.
He also held positions as a Privy Councilor and a member of the House of Nobles in the Hawaiian Legislature.

Regency and Musical Legacy:  During Kalākaua’s trip to the United States, Leleiohoku ruled as regent from November 17, 1874, to February 15, 1875.  An accomplished composer, he enriched Hawaii’s musical culture by creating folk songs, including “Kāua I Ka Huahuaʻi,” which later inspired the popular American song “Hawaiian War Chant.”
Tragic Passing:  Leleiohoku died at the young age of 22 from rheumatic fever.  His sister, Liliʻuokalani, succeeded him as the next heir to the Hawaiian throne.  Leleiohoku and his siblings are honored by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as Na Lani ʻEhā (The Heavenly Four) for their contributions to Hawaii’s musical heritage. 🌺