He was born around 1813 in Punaluʻu, Koʻolauloa District, located in the northeastern part of the island of Oʻahu.
He lived with a man named Kaleohano Opio until his death; his relation to ʻŪkēkē is not identified in existing sources.
His obituary described how: "ʻŪkēkē's record as an orator, is one of eccentricity of thought and speech, and whatever may have been the value of force of his argument, they were put in such a fantastical way, that he always secured listeners among his fellow members.
"[2] In the 1866 session, ʻŪkēkē opposed an unpopular bill by Minister of Finance Charles Coffin Harris to introduce paper currency and prankishly suggested that dog's and pig's teeth be reintroduced as mediums of exchange instead.
[4] After the death of Crown Princess Victoria Kamāmalu, he proposed a resolution directing the cabinet ministers to find a wife for the bachelor King Kamehameha V, stating "I take great interest in my Sovereign, as he is the only one left.