William Heath Davis

Learn the history of downtown San Diego's oldest building.

The Founder of "New Town" San Diego by Dr. Gil Ontai • Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation  Mar. 12, 2026 William Heath Davis, Jr., known as “Kanaka Bill,” was a Native Hawaiian born in 1822 in Honolulu in the Kingdom of Hawaii. His father, a Boston sea captain, was awarded a sandalwood trading contract from Kamehameha I. Through his mother’s side, Davis was a descendant of High Chief Kalanihoʻolulumokuikekai, linking him to the prominent Mahi family line whose members foug