Her father was Ernest Kaipoleimanu Kinney (1906–1987) and mother was Esther Kauikeaulani Kaʻulili (1913–1979).
[5] She married geophysicist Rockne H. Johnson, and had four children: Dane Aukai, Moanilehua, Kaleihanamau and Lilinoe.
[5] She was selected as an advisory committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
She generally opposes the Akaka Bill for its avoidance of child welfare matters and failure to bring trials for Hawaiian children.
[8] She submitted testimony as an expert witness on March 1, 2005, at the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.