kīnaʻu was born december 21/27, 1842, honolulu, on the island of oahu. his father was high chief william pitt leleiohoku i (1821–1848) and his mother was high ruth keʻelikōlani (1826–1883). through his mother he was kamehameha i's great-great grandchild. his mother's parentage was disputed, but she was a member of the house of kamehameha through her own mother pauahi. his recognized maternal grandmother was kekūanāoʻa, who was the governor of oahu. through his father, he descended from king kekaulike of maui. his father was the biological son of prime minister kalanimoku, who was called "the iron cable of hawaii" because of his political savvy and military prowess. his name "william pitt", shared by his father and grandfather, was originally chosen by kalanimoku in honor of prime minister william pitt of england.