Kānekapōlei's father was Kauakahiakua and her mother, ʻUmiaemoku.[4] Kauakahiakua was from the Maui royal family,[5] a grandson of mōʻī (king), Lonohonuakini[6] through his son Lonomakaihonua[7] and brother of Kaʻulahea II, and Kahāpoʻohiwi.[8] Kauakahiakua had several wives including his full blood sister Kāneikapōleikauila (w).[9] Sibling relationships were sacred and produced the highest ranking niaupiʻo births.[10] Kauakahiakua and Kāneikapōleikauila had a piʻo son named Kapuaahiwalani (k).[11][9] Her mother, ʻUmiaemoku, was one of three sisters that included Ikuaana and Umiulaikaahumanu, Kamehameha I's great grandmother[12] as well as Queen Liliuokalani's fifth great grandmother.[13] All three sisters were daughters of Mahiololi of Kohala.[14]