He was son of Keakealaniwahine, the ruling Queen of Hawaii and Kanaloa-i-Kaiwilena Kapulehu.
He was born to Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku and his half-sister, Princess Kalanikauleleiaiwi, granddaughter of Iwikauikaua (whose symbol was a torch burning at midday) and daughter of chiefess Keakealaniwahine.