Leleiohoku II
Hawaiian prince
Died when: 23 years 89 days (278 months)Star Sign: Capricorn
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William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born Kalaho?olewa (January 10, 1855 – April 9, 1877), was a prince of the Hawaiian Kingdom and member of the reigning House of Kalakaua.
At birth, Leleiohoku was hanai (informally adopted) by Ruth Ke?elikolani and later legally adopted by her in 1862 as the heir to her vast land holdings.
He was educated at St.Alban's College, a precursor of the present ?Iolani School.After finishing his education, he worked in the governmental Foreign Office and served as an officer on the personal military staff of King Lunalilo.
On February 14, 1874, his brother Kalakaua was elected king after the death of Lunalilo.Declared heir apparent to his childless brother, Leleiohoku was expected to inherit the throne of Hawaii.
He also served as a Privy Councilor and member of the House of Nobles in the Legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
During Kalakaua's trip to the United States to negotiate the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875, Leleiohoku ruled as regent from November 17, 1874, to February 15, 1875.
He died at the age of 22 from rheumatic fever resulting in the proclamation of his sister Lili?uokalani as the next heir to the throne.
Leleiohoku and his siblings are honored by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as Na Lani ?Eha (The Heavenly Four) for their patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history.
An accomplished musical composer, Leleiohoku is remembered for composing many folk songs including "Kaua I Ka Huahua?i", which was adapted into the popular American song "Hawaiian War Chant".
