She was considered to be the co-ruler of the island of Hawaiʻi with her half-brother, Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, the 21st Aliʻi nui of Hawaii.
Kalanikauleleiaiwi was considered to have higher rank than her half-brother and co-ruler, owing to her paternal descent from the Oʻahu dynasty of Kākuhihewa.
On returning to the land of her mother, she married her half-brother, Keaweʻikekahialiʻiokamoku to whom she bore a son Keʻeaumoku Nui and a daughter Kekelaokalani I.
Her third husband was Kauaua-a-Mahi, son of Mahiolole, the great Kohala chief of the Mahi family.
These three, together with Keawe-a-Heulu, were the four principal chiefs that assisted Kamehameha I to conquer and consolidate the Hawaiian Islands, and who became his counsellors after the conquest.