Her mother was High Chiefess Kaloiokalani of the royal family of Kahikinui and Honuaula (southern Maui).
Her father was Kalokuokamaile, older half-brother of Kamehameha I who later unified the Hawaiian Islands in to found the Kingdom of Hawaii; both were sons of Keōua Kalanikupuapaikalaninui.
His people showed their affection for him by making his grave on the highest peak of their country, Kauwiki.
As the Waimea people, under the rule of their high chief Hinai, had shown reluctance to submit to him, Kamehameha united the ruling families through an offer of the hand of his niece to Nuhi, the eldest son of Hinau.
Possibly she felt resentment toward Kamehameha, since after he conquered Maui king Kalanikupule, he gave her former land to the chiefs who aided him.