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Collections

Menzies Dickson
Prince Leleiohoku II circa 1875

Not on view
Sepia-toned carte-de-visite portrait photograph of a young Black man in a tweed jacket and dark bow tie, looking directly at the camera
Artist or Maker
Menzies Dickson
American, 1840 - 1891
Title
Prince Leleiohoku II
Culture
Hawaiian
Place Made
Kingdom of Hawai'i, O'ahu, Honolulu
Date Made
circa 1875
Medium
Albumen silver print
Dimensions
Secondary support: 4 1/8 × 2 1/2 in. (10.48 × 6.35 cm)
Credit Line
Partial gift of Mark and Carolyn Blackburn and purchased with funds from LACMA's 50th Anniversary Gala and FIJI Water
Accession Number
M.2015.33.1369
Classification
Photographs
Collecting Area
Art of the Pacific
Curatorial Notes

Photo also found on Hawaii State Archives, dated "between 1874 and 1877". Call Number PP-98-8-011.

Leleiohoku was the youngest brother of Prince Moses Kapaʻakea, Prince James Kaliokalani, King David Kalākaua, Queen Liliʻuokalani, Princess Anna Kaiulani, Princess Kaiminaauao, Prince Kinini Kapaʻakea, and Princess Miriam K. Likelike. At birth he became the hānai (adopted son) of Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani who named him after her late husband High Chief William Pitt Leleiohoku. 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 Saint Alban's College. 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.


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 Princess Keʻelikolani had wished that Kalākaua had chosen her instead of Liliʻuokalani, but making her heir would make Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop next in line to the throne. He is buried in the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii.

On January 16, 1893 the Hawaiian Kingdom was invaded by United States marines which led to the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian government the following day.