Fifty years after her death, a claim was brought by Robert William Wilcox that she was the daughter of Keaka, a low-ranking Tahitian chief, who came to the islands and married Kalikoʻokalani.
Kaoanaeha was the most beautiful woman on the island of Owhyhee (Hawaii) and was the admiration of all the sailors who visited Karakakooa Bay.
She was the only daughter of Keliimaiki, the favorite brother of the great King, Kamehameha I. John Young and Kaoanaeha were soon married.
King Kamehameha appreciated the superior talents of the white men and made them high chiefs.
It was indicated that she was "out of favor in the royal circle of Honolulu", partly because she preferred the traditional Hawaiian values, including the ancient religion, and had resisted Christianity and Westernization.