Her grandfather's sister was Hikuikekualono, the mother of Kahaopulani, who according to legend hid and nursed the baby Kamehameha I during his infancy when he was being hunted down by Alapainui.

They were hanged in the Honolulu Fort on October 20, 1840, the first two to be prosecuted under the criminal laws adopted in the Hawaiian constitution of 1840.

[5] Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition was in Honolulu during the murder and subsequent trial.

"[8] This incident left a mark on the family and would negatively affect public opinion of Kamokuiki's grandson Kalākaua during his campaign for the throne in 1874.

Later opponents of Kalākaua and his sister and successor Liliʻuokalani would use the murder case as an example of their family's idolatrous tendencies.