 The father of Kapiʻolani was Keawemauhili, who was high chief ("Aliʻi Nui") of the district of Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi.She was probably born there about 1781.Keawemauhili was half-brother to Kalaniʻōpuʻu who was king of the island during the fatal visit of Captain James Cook in 1779.