He was a grandson of Kameʻeiamoku, one of the five Kona chiefs who supported Kamehameha I in his formation of the Kingdom, one of the royal twins on the coat of arms of Hawaii.
He and an accomplice, Lonoapuakau, captain of the Hawaiian vessel Hooikaika, poisoned Kamokuiki to avoid punishment for adultery, but were discovered.
[4] The trial, October 3, 1840, was presided over by Governor Kekūanaōʻa of Oʻahu and a jury of twelve "intelligent Hawaiians".
The same issue of the newspaper that expressed approval of the trial welcomed Charles Wilkes of the American Exploring Expedition.
Prior to his death, he requested to see his grandsons James Kaliokalani and David Kalākaua, who were attending the Royal School.