Passed over in the succession owing to the lowly birth of his mother, 1780. Succeeded his brother as Alii of Kau and Puna, July 1782-1791 and his uncle as Alii of Hilo 1790-1791.

From genealogist Solomon Peleioholani (ANCESTRY OF JOHN LIWAI):

Kalaniopuu (k) married again, to Kanekapolei (w); born were Keaouakuahuula (k), ancestor of chiefess Kekaaniau (w), L. M. Kekupuohikapulikoliko (w), Sam Parker and his sisters Mary Stillman and N. Kameeualani Kauanoe , and Keaouapeeale (k).

Chiefly ancestor of:
Kekaaniau (Chiefess)
L.M. Kekupuohikapulikoliko
Sam Parker and his sisters, Mary Stillman, Kameeualani Kauanoe (Eldredge)

Kalaniopuu (k), King of Hawaii, married Kanekapolei; born were two sons Keouakuahuula (k) and Keouapeeale (k); Keouakuahuula (k) married Kaiolaniokaiwalani (w), the only child of Anahulukapoiawohilani (k), a kapu high chief and the chiefly Lord of Kohala, Hawaii; born was the chiefess Wailuanuiahoano (w), grandmother of L. M. Kekupuohikapulikoliko and Mark P. Robinson and his sisters.

Keaouakuahuula (k) married again to Hiilei o Hiiaka, granddaughter of Kaunohoikapelakapuokakae (w), a chiefess from east Maui from the line of Kamalalawalu through his grandson Kalanikaumakaowakea (k); born was Kualukamakaokalani (w), mother of Kaiookaiwalani (w).

Keouakuahuula (k) remarried, to his third wife Naianiewalu (w) of Koanaulu, Kuia, Maui, grandchild of Lonohonuakini (k), King of Maui, father of Kaulahea (k) King; born were Keaouanakoaikoapapaa (k), Keawehawaii (w), and Kalaninuikape'akaumanamana. Keaouanakoaikoapapaa (k) married Kahuhukeakaokalani (w), daughter of Hewahewanui (k), high chief of Kohala and high priest also in the time of Kamehameha I; born were the chiefly lords Luukia Haloa (w), Keaouakuaiwakalanihelemauna (k), Kaianinuiikapeakaumanamana (k). Keaouakuaiwakalanihelemauna (k) married Keanuomaeleokapulikoliko (w); born was Laura Kekupuohikapulikoliko (w).

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KILLED IN BATTLE / PLACED ON ALTER OF HEIAU
From genealogist Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheilu Peleioholani (in Ancestry of John Liwai Ena):

Look at Manonoikauakapekulani (k) while on Hawaii and Kalanimoku (k) who lived under the young chief Kiwalao circling Hawaii, who lived and married and many were the chiefly offsprings of chief Manono (k) who died on the battlefield at Keawewai, Kohala, Hawaii, and placed on the (altar) at the heiau of Mookini in Kohala, Hawaii.

Look at Kahekilinuiahumu (k), killed in the battlefield in Kokoiki, Kohala and placed on the altar at the heiau of Mookini by Kamehameha I.

Look at and understand the three important chiefs who died and were placed on the altar at Kohala, Hawaii: 1. Keaouakuahuula at Puukohola, own son of Kalaniopuu (k). 2. Manonoikauakapekulani (k) of Maui. 3. Kahekilinuiahumanu (k) of Maui. 4. The own children of Kahekili (k), King of Maui, that is the full history of their death.

Look at Kalaninuiiamamao (k); he was the own father of King Kalaniopuu (k) and his children.
(I) The eldest son Kiwalao (k);
(II) Second child Liliha Kekuiapoiwa; they are the true grandparents of Lihoiiho I (k), King of Hawaii, grandparent of Naahienaena (w) and grandparent of Kauikeaouli (k) King of Hawaii.
(III). Kalaniopuu (k)/ the true father of Kaleipaihala (k), the grandfather of Kaleleonalani, Queen, and L. M. Kekupuohi, Keawehawaii (k), Halalo (k), and J. Robinson (k).
(IV) Kalaniopuu (k), the father of Keaouakuahuula, the ancestor of the chiefess Kekaaniau (w) of Honolulu, L. M. Kekupuohi and Sam Parker. The chief Keouakuahuula (k), true ancestor through the mother of Keouakuahuula, namely Kanekapolei (w), of W. Notley, C. K. Notley, K. 0. Notley, M. Notley, all of Waimea, Hawaii.

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OPPOSITION TO KAMEHAMEHA

FORNANDER:
"The result of the battle of Mokuohai was virtually to rend the island of Hawaii into three independent and hostile factions. The district of Kona, Kohala, and portions of Hamakua acknowledged Kamehameha as their sovereign. The remaining portion of Hamakua, the district of Hilo, and a part of Puna, remained true to and acknowledged Keawemauhili as their Moi ; while the lower part of Puna and the district of Kau, the patrimonial estate of Kiwalao, ungrudgingly and cheerfully supported Keoun Kuahuula against the mounting ambition of Kamehameha.

In order to properly understand the political relations and rival pretensions of these three chiefs, and to disillusion oneself from certain impressions obtained from those who in the earlier days wove the history of Kamehameha into legend and song, or from those who in after years kept up the illusion from force of habit or from interested motives, it may be well to " take stock," as it were, of the political capital with which each one supported his claim to supremacy.

Keawemauhili was undoubtedly the highest chief in rank, according to Hawaiian heraldry, of the three. He was the son of Kalaninuiamamao and Kekaulikelikawekiuokalani, the latter being the half-sister of the former and daughter of Kauhiokaka, one of Keaweikekahialiiokamoku's daughters. Hence he was also called Keawe-Wililua."